The airframe in the completed rotisserie. (Courtesy: Shon Zawada, McChord Air Museum)
While most people think of powered flight when it comes to World War II aviation, these were not the only type of aircraft in the skies. Assault gliders were of course used in Operations such as Husky, Overlord, Market Garden, and Varsity, and just like their piston engine counterparts, glider pilots had to learn somehow. The McChord Air Museum is currently working on restoring one of these aircraft: a Laister-Kauffman TG-4.
Volunteers working on the airframe. (Courtesy: Shon Zawada, McChord Air Museum)
The museum’s example, serial number 37, FAA registration N50893, was offered to the museum by a family in Renton, Washington. After an approximately 70-mile round trip, the aircraft was safely back at the museum. When restoration began in October 2023, it was discovered that rats had infested the aircraft while it was in storage with its previous owners and left the team with a load of “presents” at the bottom of the fuselage. The fabric was cut from the structure and the droppings duly removed. At this point, the museum realized that the tubing had corroded and more work would be necessary. A “rotisserie” was then built to allow the volunteers to access the fuselage from any angle. Luckily, the fabric on the wings was in good condition, so with some sanding and a repaint, it can be reused. However, the wooden rudder and elevators need repairs due to warpage and tears, respectively. Lastly, some of the control cables were frayed and broken and will need replacement.
The wings, horizontal stabilizer, and elevators will be removable in 30 minutes, as the museum plans on using the original trailer, which it received with the project, to transport it to schools and airshows as part of a STEM program. It will be coupled with a wind tunnel and a few different types of airfoils to demonstrate the effect of airflow at different angles. The airframe itself never flew with the military – being put into storage immediately after being built – but was eventually sold to civilians. The log books came with it and they indicate that it was flown to 15,000 feet using oxygen at one point.
The instrument panel needs attention as well. (Courtesy: Shon Zawada, McChord Air Museum)
Great article. I am so glad to see this restoration. I am an active member of the National WWII Glider Pilot Association. I live not too far from McChord and I have visited the museum in the past. I was thrilled to read that the museum is restoring a TG-4. We still have glider pilots still living. We are also affiliated with the 94th Flying Training Squadron, US Air Force Academy. Where cadet instructor pilots fly the TG-16s. We are also affiliated with the Air Force Historical Foundation. We publish a quarterly Journal and I would very much like to publish an article in our journal. Thank you for this article.
Great article. I am so glad to see this restoration. I am an active member of the National WWII Glider Pilot Association. I live not too far from McChord and I have visited the museum in the past. I was thrilled to read that the museum is restoring a TG-4. We still have glider pilots still living. We are also affiliated with the 94th Flying Training Squadron, US Air Force Academy. Where cadet instructor pilots fly the TG-16s. We are also affiliated with the Air Force Historical Foundation. We publish a quarterly Journal and I would very much like to publish an article in our journal. Thank you for this article.