GAL- 49 HAMILCAR

The GAL-49 Hamilcar was a British heavy landing and transport glider in the high wing configuration of the Second World War. The flight of the prototype took place in March 1942, and the glider entered service the same year. The length of this aircraft was 20.7 meters with a wingspan of 33.5 meters. It did not have permanent on-board armament. The GAL-49 Hamilcar was developed by General Aircraft Limited (GAL for short) for the needs of the British Airborne Forces and was intended to transport the Locust and Tetrar light tanks, as well as Universal Carrier tracked carriers. He could also transport - instead of the above-mentioned carts - over 40 soldiers in full equipment. It was also the largest wooden glider ever to serve in the RAF! The GAL-49 Hamilcar also had the front fuselage section opened, which made unloading much easier. These gliders were used extensively during the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944 and later during Operation Market-Garden. In total, just over 400 of these gliders were built.