General Aircraft Limited was a British aircraft manufacturer from its formation in 1931 to amalgamation with Blackburn Aircraft in 1949 to become Blackburn and General. Its main products were military gliders and light transport aircraft.
On 27 February 1931, General Aircraft Limited (GAL) was formed to undertake production of aircraft using the 'monospar' wing designs of the Mono-spar Company Ltd. Both firms were headed by Helmut J. Stieger, the Swiss inventor of the technique. GAL produced about 28 examples of the Monospar series of twin-engined light transport aircraft at Croydon Aerodrome between 1932 and 1934. In October 1934, both companies were re-capitalised by investment group British Pacific Trust, and were re-formed in a new company also named General Aircraft Limited. Also included in the new company were the assets of National Flying Services Ltd, the owner of London Air Park, plus adjoining industrial premises built in 1917 by Whitehead Aircraft Ltd. In early 1935, the Crystal Croydon production facilities were transferred to the Hanworth site, near Feltham. Production then restarted with the Monospar ST-12, Monospar ST-18, and Monospar ST-25.[1][2][3][4]
In 1936, GAL received an order to build 89 Hawker Fury IIs; this was followed by other sub-contract work including the conversion of 125 Hawker Hinds into trainers. In 1938, the company bought the design of the Cygnet light aircraft from the foundering C.W. Aircraft Ltd and it was further developed as the GAL.42 Cygnet II. GAL also operated an RAF flying training school at Fairoaks aerodrome, Surrey.[2][3]
During World War II, GAL became an important designer and manufacturer of gliders. It was part of the Civilian Repair Organisation, to repair Supermarine Spitfires at Hanworth, and Beaufighters at Fairoaks. It also modified Hawker Hurricanes to enable catapult-launching from convoy escort ships. In 1943 Sikorsky helicopters were imported from the US for experimental work. Supplied in crates, they were assembled and flown at Hanworth Aerodrome – one squadron for the RAF, and two squadrons for the Fleet Air Arm. Major overhauls were carried out at Hanworth on the helicopters, plus experimental work in Air Sea Rescue, limited by the weight-lifting capacity of the helicopters.[2]
After World War II, GAL diversified into the construction of pre-fabricated houses and car bodies. The company had designed and built a large transport aircraft, the GAL.60 Universal. However, GAL realised it did not have the room or capacity to produce the aircraft in quantity, and approached Blackburn Aircraft Ltd, that was looking for work to keep its factory at Brough Aerodrome busy. On 1 January 1949, this led to the two companies merging to form the Blackburn and General Aircraft Ltd. The first GAL.60 was transported by road from Hanworth to Brough, and the factory at Hanworth was later closed.[2][3]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to General Aircraft Limited.
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982–1985). Orbis Publishing.
Brooks, Robin J. 2000. Thames Valley Airfields in the Second World War: Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Middlesex ISBN1-85306-633-8
Jackson, A.J. (1974). British Civil Aircraft since 1919. London: Putnam. ISBN0-370-10014-X.
London Gazette. 5 October 1934 page 6304
Sherwood, Tim. 1999. Coming in to Land: A Short History of Hounslow, Hanworth and Heston Aerodromes 1911–1946. Heritage Publications (Hounslow Library) ISBN1-899144-30-7
Smith, Ron (2002). British Built Aircraft Greater London. Tempus Publishing. ISBN0-7524-2770-9.
May 10, 2023
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For the American aircraft manufacturer see General Aircraft Corporation General Aircraft Limited was a British aircraft manufacturer from its formation in 1931 to amalgamation with Blackburn Aircraft in 1949 to become Blackburn and General Its main products were military gliders and light transport aircraft General Aircraft LimitedIndustryAviationFounded1931Defunct1949FateMerged with Blackburn Aircraft 1949SuccessorBlackburn AircraftHeadquartersHanworth near Feltham United KingdomKey peopleHelmut J Stieger Contents 1 History 2 Designs produced at Croydon 1932 1934 3 Designs produced at Hanworth 1935 1939 4 References 5 SourcesHistory Edit GAL 42 Cygnet II G AGAX March 1955 On 27 February 1931 General Aircraft Limited GAL was formed to undertake production of aircraft using the monospar wing designs of the Mono spar Company Ltd Both firms were headed by Helmut J Stieger the Swiss inventor of the technique GAL produced about 28 examples of the Monospar series of twin engined light transport aircraft at Croydon Aerodrome between 1932 and 1934 In October 1934 both companies were re capitalised by investment group British Pacific Trust and were re formed in a new company also named General Aircraft Limited Also included in the new company were the assets of National Flying Services Ltd the owner of London Air Park plus adjoining industrial premises built in 1917 by Whitehead Aircraft Ltd In early 1935 the Crystal Croydon production facilities were transferred to the Hanworth site near Feltham Production then restarted with the Monospar ST 12 Monospar ST 18 and Monospar ST 25 1 2 3 4 In 1936 GAL received an order to build 89 Hawker Fury IIs this was followed by other sub contract work including the conversion of 125 Hawker Hinds into trainers In 1938 the company bought the design of the Cygnet light aircraft from the foundering C W Aircraft Ltd and it was further developed as the GAL 42 Cygnet II GAL also operated an RAF flying training school at Fairoaks aerodrome Surrey 2 3 During World War II GAL became an important designer and manufacturer of gliders It was part of the Civilian Repair Organisation to repair Supermarine Spitfires at Hanworth and Beaufighters at Fairoaks It also modified Hawker Hurricanes to enable catapult launching from convoy escort ships In 1943 Sikorsky helicopters were imported from the US for experimental work Supplied in crates they were assembled and flown at Hanworth Aerodrome one squadron for the RAF and two squadrons for the Fleet Air Arm Major overhauls were carried out at Hanworth on the helicopters plus experimental work in Air Sea Rescue limited by the weight lifting capacity of the helicopters 2 After World War II GAL diversified into the construction of pre fabricated houses and car bodies The company had designed and built a large transport aircraft the GAL 60 Universal However GAL realised it did not have the room or capacity to produce the aircraft in quantity and approached Blackburn Aircraft Ltd that was looking for work to keep its factory at Brough Aerodrome busy On 1 January 1949 this led to the two companies merging to form the Blackburn and General Aircraft Ltd The first GAL 60 was transported by road from Hanworth to Brough and the factory at Hanworth was later closed 2 3 Designs produced at Croydon 1932 1934 EditGeneral Aircraft Monospar ST 4 General Aircraft Monospar ST 6 General Aircraft Monospar ST 10 General Aircraft Monospar ST 11Designs produced at Hanworth 1935 1939 EditGeneral Aircraft Monospar ST 12 General Aircraft Monospar ST 18 Croydon General Aircraft Monospar ST 25 Jubilee General Aircraft Monospar ST 25 De Luxe General Aircraft Monospar ST 25 Universal General Aircraft GAL 26 re engined experimental version of ST 25 GAL 32 design tendered for ab initio trainer Not built General Aircraft GAL 33 Cagnet General Aircraft GAL 38 Fleet Shadower a fleet following aircraft General Aircraft GAL 41 pressurised experimental aircraft based on the ST 25 General Aircraft GAL 42 Cygnet II a CW design General Aircraft GAL 45 Owlet General Aircraft GAL 47 Air Observation Post one built General Aircraft GAL 48 Hotspur a troop carrying glider General Aircraft GAL 49 Hamilcar I a tank carrying glider General Aircraft GAL 55 a two seat training glider General Aircraft GAL 56 a flying wing glider General Aircraft GAL 58 Hamilcar X a powered version of the Hamilcar I General Aircraft GAL 60 Universal Freighter a freight carrying aircraft later becoming the Blackburn BeverleyReferences Edit Jackson 1974 a b c d Smith 2002 a b c Sherwood 1999 London Gazette 1934 Sources Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to General Aircraft Limited The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft Part Work 1982 1985 Orbis Publishing Brooks Robin J 2000 Thames Valley Airfields in the Second World War Berkshire Buckinghamshire and Middlesex ISBN 1 85306 633 8 Jackson A J 1974 British Civil Aircraft since 1919 London Putnam ISBN 0 370 10014 X London Gazette 5 October 1934 page 6304 Sherwood Tim 1999 Coming in to Land A Short History of Hounslow Hanworth and Heston Aerodromes 1911 1946 Heritage Publications Hounslow Library ISBN 1 899144 30 7 Smith Ron 2002 British Built Aircraft Greater London Tempus Publishing ISBN 0 7524 2770 9 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title General Aircraft Limited amp oldid 1059515060, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
