Following the mixed success of the earlier Monospar family of aircraft, the company designed a ten-seat light transport, the ST-18 (later named Croydon). Due to the longer-span wing, it was not a cantilever monospar wing but had to be fitted with bracing struts. The ST-18 was a low-wing monoplane, with a conventional tail unit and tailwheel landing gear, and hydraulically retractable main gear. It was powered by two Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior radial engines mounted on the wing leading edges. It had a crew of three, and a cabin for ten passengers, a toilet and baggage compartment.[1]
Operational historyedit
On 16 November 1935, the sole aircraft (T22, later G-AECB) first flew at Hanworth Aerodrome, piloted by Harry M. Schofield. It performed well, but did not attract any orders, so the aircraft was prepared to establish a record for an Australia to England flight. On 30 July 1936, Lord Sempill, Harold "Tim" Wood, and two other crew left Croydon Airport for Australia. On 7 October 1936, during the return flight from Darwin, navigation errors occurred during the flight over the Timor Sea, and the aircraft made a successful forced landing on a coral reef (Seringapatam Reef). The crew members were immediately transported off the reef by local fishermen, and the aircraft was abandoned.[1][2]
Specificationsedit
Data from The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985), 1985, Orbis Publishing, Page 1938
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The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985), 1985, Orbis Publishing, Page 1938
A.J.Jackson, British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 2, Putnam & Company, London, 1974, ISBN0-370-10010-7, Page 310
May 02, 2024
general, aircraft, croydon, general, aircraft, croydon, 1930s, british, cabin, monoplane, built, general, aircraft, limited, croydon, monospar, croydon, 1936, role, cabin, monoplane, manufacturer, general, aircraft, first, flight, 1935, introduction, 1935, ret. The General Aircraft ST 18 Croydon was a 1930s British cabin monoplane built by General Aircraft Limited ST 18 Croydon GAL Monospar ST 18 Croydon 1936 Role Cabin monoplane Manufacturer General Aircraft First flight 1935 Introduction 1935 Retired 1936 Number built 1Development editFollowing the mixed success of the earlier Monospar family of aircraft the company designed a ten seat light transport the ST 18 later named Croydon Due to the longer span wing it was not a cantilever monospar wing but had to be fitted with bracing struts The ST 18 was a low wing monoplane with a conventional tail unit and tailwheel landing gear and hydraulically retractable main gear It was powered by two Pratt amp Whitney Wasp Junior radial engines mounted on the wing leading edges It had a crew of three and a cabin for ten passengers a toilet and baggage compartment 1 nbsp Operational history editOn 16 November 1935 the sole aircraft T22 later G AECB first flew at Hanworth Aerodrome piloted by Harry M Schofield It performed well but did not attract any orders so the aircraft was prepared to establish a record for an Australia to England flight On 30 July 1936 Lord Sempill Harold Tim Wood and two other crew left Croydon Airport for Australia On 7 October 1936 during the return flight from Darwin navigation errors occurred during the flight over the Timor Sea and the aircraft made a successful forced landing on a coral reef Seringapatam Reef The crew members were immediately transported off the reef by local fishermen and the aircraft was abandoned 1 2 Specifications editData from The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft Part Work 1982 1985 1985 Orbis Publishing Page 1938General characteristicsCrew 3 pilot co pilot and wireless operator Capacity 10 passengers Length 43 ft 3 in 13 18 m Wingspan 59 ft 6 in 18 14 m Height 14 ft 3 in 4 09 m Wing area 454 sq ft 42 18 m2 Empty weight 8 000 lb 3 639 kg Gross weight 11 350 lb 5 148 kg Powerplant 2 Pratt amp Whitney R 985 Wasp Junior SB 9 cylinder radial piston engine 450 hp 336 kW each Performance Maximum speed 203 mph 327 km h 176 kn Range 900 mi 1 448 km 780 nmi Service ceiling 19 500 ft 5 945 m Notes edit a b Jackson 1974 p 310 Flight 10 December 1936References edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to General Aircraft Croydon The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft Part Work 1982 1985 1985 Orbis Publishing Page 1938 A J Jackson British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 2 Putnam amp Company London 1974 ISBN 0 370 10010 7 Page 310 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title General Aircraft Croydon amp oldid 1189497162, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
