127:
1720:
199:
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
138:
On 27 February 1931, General
Aircraft Limited (GAL) was formed to undertake production of aircraft using the 'monospar' wing designs of the Monospar Wing Company Ltd. Both firms were headed by Helmut J. Stieger, the Swiss inventor of the technique. GAL produced about 28 examples of the
156:
in
Hanworth near Feltham, plus adjoining industrial premises built in 1917 by Whitehead Aircraft Ltd. In early 1935, the Croydon production facilities were transferred to the Hanworth site. Production then restarted with the Monospar ST-12, Monospar ST-18, and Monospar ST-25.
147:
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
219:. The first GAL.60 was transported by road from Hanworth to Brough and chief test pilot Harold 'Tim' Wood made its first flight there on 20 June 1950, and the factory at Hanworth was later closed.
829:
1742:
1747:
203:
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
822:
1723:
815:
1534:
200:
carried out at
Hanworth on the helicopters, plus experimental work in Air Sea Rescue, limited by the weight-lifting capacity of the helicopters.
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612:
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460:
Brooks, Robin J. 2000. Thames Valley
Airfields in the Second World War: Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Middlesex
306:
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240:
207:. However, GAL realised it did not have the room or capacity to produce the aircraft in quantity, and approached
1519:
1514:
1250:
495:
Sherwood, Tim. 1999. Coming in to Land: A Short
History of Hounslow, Hanworth and Heston Aerodromes 1911–1946.
234:
228:
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184:
20:
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897:
1702:
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1312:
542:
183:
During World War II, GAL became an important designer and manufacturer of gliders. It was part of the
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173:
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328:
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687:
535:
1619:
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1447:
1185:
1150:
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807:
188:
8:
1484:
1452:
1337:
1255:
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1014:
999:
994:
662:
172:
light aircraft from the foundering C.W. Aircraft Ltd and it was further developed as the
1609:
1504:
1499:
1442:
1210:
1155:
1094:
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1024:
989:
796:
702:
692:
380:
376:
208:
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107:
73:
62:
1614:
1564:
1529:
1270:
1235:
1215:
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514:
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476:
461:
144:
106:
was a
British aircraft manufacturer from its formation in 1931 to amalgamation with
1544:
1437:
1432:
1367:
1342:
1327:
1265:
1190:
1165:
1099:
1059:
962:
919:
212:
196:
177:
1624:
1604:
1539:
1467:
1417:
1412:
1200:
1180:
984:
527:
153:
115:
126:
1584:
1489:
1457:
1084:
1074:
957:
952:
882:
164:; this was followed by other subcontract work including the conversion of 125
1736:
1697:
1687:
1397:
1290:
1160:
1559:
1402:
1295:
1125:
1034:
1004:
937:
877:
215:
busy. On 1 January 1949, this led to the two companies merging to form the
1599:
1317:
1104:
909:
310:
192:
165:
161:
373:– a powered version of the Hamilcar I with 22 converted from the latter.
1479:
1135:
1677:
942:
887:
319:– a pressurised experimental aircraft based on the ST-25. One built.
1574:
1362:
1069:
1019:
496:
140:
1524:
1347:
1079:
1044:
1039:
929:
892:
84:
176:. GAL also operated an RAF elementary flying training school at
454:
The
Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982–1985)
1145:
168:
into trainers. In 1938, the company bought the design of the
837:
1195:
925:
253:
222:
1009:
1743:
Defunct aircraft manufacturers of the United
Kingdom
1748:
Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1931
211:, that was looking for work to keep its factory at
143:series of twin-engined light transport aircraft at
557:
379:– a freight-carrying aircraft later to become the
367:– an experimental flying-wing glider, four built.
290:- a re-engined experimental version of the ST-25.
1734:
1535:Port Victoria Marine Experimental Aircraft Depot
355:– half scale prototype Hamilcar I – one built.
293:General Aircraft GAL.32 – design tendered for
823:
543:
19:For the American aircraft manufacturer, see
377:General Aircraft GAL.60 Universal Freighter
160:In 1936, GAL received an order to build 89
830:
816:
550:
536:
426:
424:
422:
1657:Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
1652:Defence Electronics and Components Agency
349:– a tank-carrying glider, over 400 built.
283:General Aircraft Monospar ST-25 Universal
839:Aerospace industry in the United Kingdom
497:Heritage Publications (Hounslow Library)
361:– a two-seat training glider, two built.
254:Designs produced at Hanworth (1935–1939)
125:
470:
419:
412:
410:
408:
406:
343:– a troop-carrying glider, 1,015 built.
278:General Aircraft Monospar ST-25 De Luxe
272:General Aircraft Monospar ST-25 Jubilee
266:General Aircraft Monospar ST-18 Croydon
223:Designs produced at Croydon (1932–1934)
1735:
1708:Society of British Aerospace Companies
1141:Air Navigation and Engineering Company
394:
307:General Aircraft GAL.38 Fleet Shadower
811:
531:
511:British Built Aircraft Greater London
508:
403:
855:Manufacturing in the United Kingdom
13:
371:General Aircraft GAL.58 Hamilcar X
353:General Aircraft GAL.50 Hamilcar I
347:General Aircraft GAL.49 Hamilcar I
337:– air observation post, one built.
325:– a C W Aircraft design. 10 built.
217:Blackburn and General Aircraft Ltd
14:
1764:
1683:Farnborough International Airshow
473:British Civil Aircraft since 1919
323:General Aircraft GAL.42 Cygnet II
1719:
1718:
1662:European Aviation Safety Agency
1515:Nieuport & General Aircraft
1510:National Aircraft Factory No. 2
489:London Gazette. 5 October 1934
341:General Aircraft GAL.48 Hotspur
313:-following aircraft, one built.
260:General Aircraft Monospar ST-12
247:General Aircraft Monospar ST-11
241:General Aircraft Monospar ST-10
1753:1931 establishments in England
1520:Norman Thompson Flight Company
1251:British Aircraft Manufacturing
559:General Aircraft Limited (GAL)
433:
301:General Aircraft GAL.33 Cagnet
235:General Aircraft Monospar ST-6
229:General Aircraft Monospar ST-4
195:at Fairoaks. It also modified
118:and light transport aircraft.
1:
1570:Seaplane Experimental Station
1550:Rollason Aircraft and Engines
1301:Aeronautical Technical School
1206:William Beardmore and Company
850:Economy of the United Kingdom
387:
329:General Aircraft GAL.45 Owlet
16:British aircraft manufacturer
1555:Royal Aircraft Establishment
1246:British Aircraft Corporation
1171:Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft
185:Civilian Repair Organisation
21:General Aircraft Corporation
7:
948:British Airways Engineering
898:Surrey Satellite Technology
783:Flying wing research glider
10:
1769:
1703:Royal Aeronautical Society
1313:Desoutter Aircraft Company
1276:Clayton & Shuttleworth
446:
121:
18:
1716:
1670:
1637:
1408:Hants and Sussex Aviation
1323:Dunlop Standard Aerospace
1226:Bristol Aeroplane Company
1118:
870:
863:
845:
711:
566:manufacturer designations
565:
114:. Its main products were
91:
79:
69:
57:
49:
41:
33:
1647:Civil Aviation Authority
1590:Sopwith Aviation Company
1393:Gloster Aircraft Company
1388:General Electric Company
1378:Garland Aircraft Company
1261:Central Aircraft Company
1241:British Aircraft Company
1231:British Aerial Transport
1131:Abbott-Baynes Sailplanes
150:National Flying Services
104:General Aircraft Limited
29:General Aircraft Limited
1580:SELEX Sistemi Integrati
1453:Lindstrand Technologies
1423:Heston Aircraft Company
1373:Foster, Wikner Aircraft
1353:Fairey Aviation Company
1333:Edgar Percival Aircraft
1281:Comper Aircraft Company
365:General Aircraft GAL.56
359:General Aircraft GAL.55
335:General Aircraft GAL.47
317:General Aircraft GAL.41
288:General Aircraft GAL.26
1495:Moss Brothers Aircraft
1428:Hewlett & Blondeau
1286:Cunliffe-Owen Aircraft
1065:Safran Landing Systems
915:Military Air Solutions
471:Jackson, A.J. (1974).
383:. One prototype built.
209:Blackburn Aircraft Ltd
135:
1463:M. B. Arpin & Co.
1358:Fane Aircraft Company
1221:Boulton Paul Aircraft
980:Dunlop Aircraft Tyres
905:Babcock International
513:. Tempus Publishing.
439:London Gazette (1934)
189:Supermarine Spitfires
129:
112:Blackburn and General
1620:Westland Helicopters
1448:Lakes Flying Company
1186:Austin Motor Company
1151:The Airscrew Company
1505:Nash & Thompson
1500:D. Napier & Son
1485:Matra Marconi Space
1338:Elliotts of Newbury
1015:Hybrid Air Vehicles
1000:GE Aviation Systems
995:General Dynamics UK
990:Finmeccanica UK Ltd
797:Universal Freighter
718:Passenger transport
509:Smith, Ron (2002).
456:. Orbis Publishing.
297:trainer. Not built.
30:
1610:Vickers-Armstrongs
1530:Parnall & Sons
1473:Electronic Systems
1443:Kingsbury Aviation
1216:Boulton & Paul
1211:Blackburn Aircraft
1156:Airship Industries
1095:Thales Air Defence
1030:Marshall Aerospace
1025:Lockheed Martin UK
968:Technical Services
893:Astrium Satellites
475:. London: Putnam.
381:Blackburn Beverley
178:Fairoaks Aerodrome
152:Ltd, the owner of
136:
110:in 1949 to become
108:Blackburn Aircraft
74:Blackburn Aircraft
63:Blackburn Aircraft
28:
1730:
1729:
1640:regulatory bodies
1633:
1632:
1615:Westland Aircraft
1565:Scottish Aviation
1271:Chrislea Aircraft
1236:British Aerospace
1110:Ultra Electronics
943:Boeing Defence UK
805:
804:
768:Transport gliders
197:Hawker Hurricanes
191:at Hanworth, and
145:Croydon Aerodrome
130:GAL.42 Cygnet II
101:
100:
97:Helmut J. Stieger
1760:
1722:
1721:
1595:Spartan Aircraft
1545:Reid and Sigrist
1438:Hunting Aircraft
1433:Hordern-Richmond
1383:General Aircraft
1368:Folland Aircraft
1343:English Electric
1266:Chilton Aircraft
1191:Aviation Traders
1166:Airwork Services
1100:Thales Optronics
1050:Reaction Engines
920:Eurofighter GmbH
868:
867:
832:
825:
818:
809:
808:
758:Army observation
552:
545:
538:
529:
528:
524:
486:
457:
440:
437:
431:
428:
417:
414:
401:
398:
213:Brough Aerodrome
205:GAL.60 Universal
174:GAL.42 Cygnet II
116:military gliders
87:, United Kingdom
31:
27:
1768:
1767:
1763:
1762:
1761:
1759:
1758:
1757:
1733:
1732:
1731:
1726:
1712:
1666:
1639:
1629:
1625:J. Samuel White
1540:Lang Propellers
1468:Marconi Company
1418:Hawker Siddeley
1413:Hawker Aircraft
1201:Beagle Aircraft
1114:
1090:Telespazio VEGA
985:Europa Aircraft
859:
841:
836:
806:
801:
748:Maritime patrol
707:
561:
556:
521:
483:
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449:
444:
443:
438:
434:
430:Sherwood (1999)
429:
420:
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256:
225:
162:Hawker Fury IIs
154:London Air Park
124:
94:
83:Hanworth, near
24:
17:
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1671:Related topics
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1638:Government and
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1585:Siddeley-Deasy
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1497:
1492:
1490:Miles Aircraft
1487:
1482:
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1460:
1458:Luton Aircraft
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1176:Arrow Aircraft
1173:
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1133:
1128:
1122:
1120:
1116:
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1107:
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1085:Swift Aircraft
1082:
1077:
1075:Short Brothers
1072:
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958:Chemring Group
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953:Britten-Norman
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883:AgustaWestland
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752:Fleet Shadower
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400:Jackson (1974)
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237:– three built.
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1698:ParcAberporth
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1688:NATS Holdings
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1575:SELEX Galileo
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1398:Grahame-White
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1291:Dart Aircraft
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1282:
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1256:BTR Aerospace
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975:Draken Europe
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788:
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766:
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747:
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738:
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733:
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727:
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723:
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704:
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634:
631:
629:
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621:
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571:
570:
568:
564:
560:
553:
548:
546:
541:
539:
534:
533:
530:
522:
520:0-7524-2770-9
516:
512:
507:
505:
504:1-899144-30-7
501:
498:
494:
492:
488:
484:
482:0-370-10014-X
478:
474:
469:
467:
466:1-85306-633-8
463:
459:
455:
451:
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436:
427:
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68:
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56:
52:
48:
44:
40:
36:
32:
26:
22:
1560:Saunders-Roe
1403:Handley Page
1382:
1296:de Havilland
1126:ADC Aircraft
1035:Martin-Baker
1005:GFS Projects
938:BBA Aviation
878:AD Aerospace
558:
510:
472:
453:
435:
416:Smith (2002)
396:
331:– one built.
303:– one built.
294:
268:– one built.
249:– two built.
243:– two built.
216:
202:
193:Beaufighters
187:, to repair
182:
169:
166:Hawker Hinds
159:
137:
134:, March 1955
131:
111:
103:
102:
80:Headquarters
61:Merged with
25:
1600:Supermarine
1318:Dowty Group
1105:TUI Airways
1055:Rolls-Royce
910:BAE Systems
274:– 59 built.
262:– 10 built.
231:– 29 built.
1737:Categories
1480:Martinsyde
1306:Propellers
1136:ABC Motors
928:(37.5% as
388:References
180:, Surrey.
93:Key people
1678:ADS Group
1328:ED Abbott
888:Airbus UK
864:Companies
793:Transport
491:page 6304
295:ab initio
70:Successor
1724:Category
1363:Ferranti
1161:Airspeed
1070:Selex ES
1020:IRVIN-GQ
777:Hamilcar
728:Trainers
141:Monospar
37:Aviation
34:Industry
1605:Vickers
1525:Parnall
1348:Euravia
1119:Defunct
1080:Skyrora
1045:Qinetiq
1040:Meggitt
930:MBDA UK
871:Current
772:Hotspur
712:By role
447:Sources
122:History
85:Feltham
50:Defunct
42:Founded
1693:NDI UK
1181:Auster
963:Cobham
787:GAL.56
762:GAL.47
737:Cygnet
732:Cagnet
703:GAL.65
698:GAL.61
693:GAL.60
688:GAL.59
683:GAL.58
678:GAL.57
673:GAL.56
668:GAL.55
663:GAL.52
658:GAL.50
653:GAL.49
648:GAL.48
643:GAL.47
638:GAL.45
633:GAL.42
628:GAL.41
623:GAL.38
618:GAL.33
613:GAL.26
517:
502:
479:
464:
170:Cygnet
132:G-AGAX
65:, 1949
1146:Airco
1060:Rotol
922:(33%)
742:Owlet
722:ST-25
608:ST-25
603:ST-18
598:ST-12
593:ST-11
588:ST-10
311:fleet
1196:Avro
926:MBDA
583:ST-6
578:ST-4
573:ST-3
515:ISBN
500:ISBN
477:ISBN
462:ISBN
309:– a
58:Fate
53:1949
45:1931
1010:GKN
1739::
421:^
405:^
932:)
831:e
824:t
817:v
551:e
544:t
537:v
523:.
485:.
23:.
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