How much more could a Horsa carry than the Waco CG-4A?

Short answer

The Horsa carried considerably more: it had seating for 28 soldiers, or alternatively a jeep or an anti-tank gun, compared with the Waco CG-4A's 13 soldiers with their equipment. The British glider was much larger than the American one, which the British called the Hadrian.

Published: November 1, 2026 · Updated: November 1, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

How much more could a Horsa carry than the Waco CG-4A?

Focke Achgelis Fa 330A-1 Bachstelze (Water Wagtail)

What each glider could carry

The Waco CG-4A could carry 13 soldiers with their equipment. The larger British Horsa carried more troops: it had seating for 28 men and, alternatively, could carry a jeep or an anti-tank gun. The Horsa was much larger than the American CG-4A, which the British knew by the name Hadrian.

The American glider

The CG-4A was built of wood and metal covered with fabric, and was crewed by a pilot and co-pilot. More than 13,900 examples of this model were eventually delivered.

Horsa production

The first 695 gliders came from Airspeed's factory in Christchurch, Hampshire. By the time production ended, between 3,655 and 3,799 Horsas had been completed.