General Aircraft Ltd

(GAL)

 

Initially based at Croydon Airport between 1932 and 1934, GAL produced 28 versions of the Monospar Series of the twin-engine, light-transport aircraft and it was this initial success that led to the company being quickly overtaken by The British Pacific Trust (BPT), who formalised the organisation.

 

BPT subsequently integrated GAL with the assets of The National Flying Services, who were owners of the fast developing London Air Park at Hanworth (to the south west of London), as well as the landlords for the premises being occupied by Whitehead Aircraft Ltd.

 

 

During 1935, GAL’s Crystal Croydon facilities were subsequently closed and all of their production equipment was moved to Hanworth in order to construct the Monospar ST-12, ST-18 and ST-25 variants. 

 

Shortly after the move, GAL received an important sub-contract order to build some 89 Hawker Fury Mk II aircraft and this was soon followed by another contract for the conversion of 125 Hawker Hinds into RAF Trainers. 

 

By 1938, the company had financed the purchase of the design rights to the Cygnet, a light-aircraft from C.W. Aircraft and from which it developed its own GAL42 Cygnet II. 

 

The Cygnet was not a resounding success however, with the order book barely reaching 10 aircraft due to the building international tensions that were to see the start of World War II.

 

 

During the same year (1938), GAL undertook an agreement to operate an RAF Flying School, based at RAF Fairoaks, near Chobham, Surrey which operated under the name Universal Flying Services.

 

As World War II took hold, GAL attempted to produce a cheap RAF Trainer in the GAL.45 Owlet. Effectively a training 2-seat version of the Cygnet II, sadly it failed to attract a single order although the prototype (G-AGBK / DP240) was still pressed into service with 23 Squadron RAF. It  was destroyed in a crash near Arundel, West Sussex on 30th August 1942. GAL even attempted a private venture design in the GAL.47 (Air Observation aircraft) but this too failed to attract any interest. 

 

They were however, more successful with the GAL.48 (Hotspur Troop Carrying Glider) which, due to the fully anticipated losses during landing (and its intended disposability), was produced in significant numbers (1,015 aircraft). GAL saw the potential for prosperity in this area and so switched to the design and production of new gliders for the Airborne Troop Divisions. 

 

This resulted in the company being chosen to produce a heavy cargo glider capable of transporting military vehicles such as the Tetrarch and the M22 Locust Light Tank.  They produced 344 of the GAL.49 Hamilcar gliders which saw action in three major offensives during World War II.

 

 

In addition to aircraft production, GAL's wood-working skills were called upon as part of the very efficient Civilian Repair Organisation and they began undertaking restoration work on damaged Vickers Supermarine Spitfires and Bristol Beaufighters at Fairoaks.

 

In addition to the repair work, GAL also became an important factor in the continuing modification of the Hawker Hurricane and it converted an number of aircraft to allow catapult launches from Convoy Escort Ships in the North Atlantic.  They also undertook the maintenance, assembly and acceptance work for the Sikorsky Helicopters arriving from the USA and they prepared them onward use by both the RAF and the Fleet Air Arm.

 

By the end of the war, and like many companies now short of aviation work, GAL were forced to diversify into other industries such as pre-fabricated housing and car body manufacture although this brought them little financial success. 

 

Their work on aircraft continued and by 1950 they had designed and built the GAL-60 Universal Freighter which was to become better known as the Blackburn Beverley.

  

1931	General Aircraft Limited (GAL)
1934	General Aircraft Limited (GAL) Re-capitalised by British Pacific Trust
1949	Blackburn and General Aircraft Limited
1958	Blackburn Aircraft Limited
1963	Hawker Siddeley Aviation
1977	British Aerospace
1999	BAE Systems