On the 27th of 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. 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. 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 U.S.A. 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. 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.
Designs produced at Croydon (1932–1934)
General Aircraft Monospar ST-4
General Aircraft Monospar ST-6
General Aircraft Monospar ST-10
General Aircraft Monospar ST-11
General Aircraft Monospar ST-12
GAL.42 Cygnet II G-AGAX, March 1955 |
