GAL-58 HAMILCAR X

The GAL.58 Hamilcar X was a British light motor glider with a spine-wing wooden structure from the World War II period. The prototype flight took place in February 1945. In the same year, about 20-25 motor gliders of this type were produced, and with the end of World War II, the development of this design was completed. The drive was provided by two Bristol Mercury engines with 965 HP. The GAL.58 Hamilcar X was developed based on the GAL.49 Hamilcar glider, which was designed to operate in the Southeast Asia and the South Pacific region, i.e. in a tropical climate with high humidity. The first trials of the GAL.49 glider showed its poor aerodynamic performance, which led to its redesign and the installation of two engines - this is how the GAL.58 was created. The motor glider, in relation to its predecessor, also differed in a clearly reinforced structure, a changed chassis and a changed shape of the interior of the hold. It was planned that the GAL.58 towing plane would be a specially adapted Halifax bomber. The GAL.58 Hamilcar X motor glider was never used in combat.