The XCG-16 was a military transport/assault glider ordered by the Army Air Force, from General Airborne Transport Co., for competition against the Waco CG-13A at Wright Field.
Design of the CG-16 evolved from the lifting fuselage theories of Vincent Burnelli , which advocated the use of 'lifting fuselages' providing a high proportion of the total lift.
In 1943 tragedy struck on a demonstration flight with Richard Chichester du Pont, special assistant to Gen Arnold; Col Ernest Gabel, another glider specialist on the staff of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and C. C. Chandler, thrice soaring champion, aboard. Inadequately secured ballast came loose when the glider flew through the Lockheed C-60 glider tug's propwash, causing a catastrophic rearward shift in the centre of gravity. The uncontrollable MC-1A released from tow and entered a flat spin which it didn't recover from. Three of the crew and passengers jumped over board but only two survived the parachute jump.
Major issues with military equipment and procedures precluded the CG-16 from a production contract as it did not meet military expectations as a combat glider. The contract for all remaining work on the CG-16 was cancelled on 30 November 1944.
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