Flight, October 1930

BAKER-McMILLEN TRAINING Glider. - The wood-working firm, Baker-McMillen Co., of Akron, Ohio, are certain that the three-stage system of training, so firmly rooted in Germany, will not be adopted generally in America. They reasoned that the only real excuse for a primary type's existence was its low initial cost and maintenance, and it was concluded that an all-purpose glider could be produced which would be suitable for training the student right through into the soaring stages of his training without change. When finally additional refinement was desired, a simple change to special large span wings could be made and the student would be able to cover his entire course by the use of a single machine of moderate price, with perhaps the added cost of a pair of soaring wings in the extreme case.
   Such a large order all in one machine was a new experience for Frank Gross, designer, but the "Cadet II" now stands as evidence of how well he has met requirements. It is not a primary. It is not a secondary. Neither is it a soarer, but it is all these at once, an all-purpose training glider.
   Brief specification of the "Cadet II" :-
   Span 37 ft. 6 in.
   Length 18 ft. 9 in.
   Height 4 ft. 6 in.
   Weight empty 237 lb.
   Weight loaded 407 lb.
   Wing area (including ailerons) 162 sq. ft.
   Wing loading 2-51 lb. per sq. ft.
   Tailplane area 9 sq. ft.
   Elevator area 8 sq. ft.
   Fin area 5 sq. ft.
   Rudder area 9 sq. ft.
   Sinking speed 3 1/4 ft. per sec.
   Gliding angle (actual) 1 in 15