Operation Combine III Postwar 1948 Glider Ops & C-82 Airdrops - National Archives - Airailimages

U.S. Air Force use of combat cargo gliders continued into the postwar 1940s, as seen in these 1948 film clips showing Waco G-15 gliders snatched into the air by low-flying C-47s. Later, Fairchild C-82s deliver paratroopers.
The event is Operation Combine III, flying out of Eglin Air Force Base in October 1948. Combine III was devised to train Army and Air Force units in joint operations, to familiarize each service with the capabilities of the other.
The G-15, formerly CG-15, was an enhanced version of the wartime Waco CG-4A glider. The G-15 featured a more streamlined cockpit, substantially clipped wingspan, and cantilever landing gear.
In the still photos, a Curtiss C-46E Commando with stepped windscreen is shown using a short-coupled tow arrangement with a G-15 after the war, reminiscent of German World War II methods.
This historical film is presented by Frederick A. Johnsen, award-winning Air Force historian and author of more than 25 historical aviation books. His NASA volume, "Sweeping Forward", a history of the forward swept wing X-29, earned the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) History Manuscript Award.
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[@robstanton9215]

That’s intriguing to me to see the different tow configurations. I started out in sailplanes and to see that cargo glider yanked into the air by a C-47 without any takeoff roll is amazing to me! Thanks for sharing this historical footage!!!

[@airailimages]

Yes, that looks very abrupt!

[@trespasserswill7052]

The glider footage is greatly appreciated. They were a part of it too.

[@airailimages]

Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@ChiefAUS]

That must have been some jerk for the troops in the gliders.

[@airailimages]

Yes -- that looks abrupt.

[@ChiefAUS]

The pic showing the short tow of the glider was very nice. Did they takeoff that way or reeled in after takeoff?