The Waco PG-2A was a unique powered development of the successful Waco CG-4 Hadrian standard glider. In 1943, the US military had originally developed a prototype powered-version of the Hadrian with two Franklin flat-four piston engines in nacelles beneath the wings. The object of this conversion was to allow the glider to return under its own power after completing a mission. After tests with this prototype, a further ten conversions of the aircraft were ordered with Ranger L-440-7 piston engines. These production versions were then known by the PG-2A designation.

The service trials were apparently of interest to the RCAF and one PG-2A was briefly tested here in Canada during the immediate post-war period.