GENERAL AIRCRAFT HOTSPUR

GENERAL AIRCRAFT G.A.L. 48 HOTSPUR - The General Aircraft Hotspur G.A.L. 48 was designed by a tearr. headed by F F Crocombe as Britain's firsi -assault transport glider, to Specification X. 10/40, to carry pilot and seven troops. Prototype flown on November 5, 1940, four months after design started.
General Aircraft Hotspur I: Initial production version, designed for launch at high altitude and some distance from landing zone to permit silent approach. Jettisonable main undercar-riage and 'lid' type fuselage to permit simul-taneous exit of all troops. Range, 83 mis (134 km) from 20,000 ft (6,100 m) launch. Ten built by GAL, eight by Slingsby.

Gliding speed, 70 mph (113 km/h). Gross weight, 3,450 Ib (1,565 kg). Span, 61 ft 10\ in (18.87 m). Length, 39ft 3'kin (11.98m).

General Aircraft Hotspur II: Revised design for low-alti-tude launch close to landing zone. Modified fuselage with doors each side for troop exit, and reduced wing span. Production to Specifications X.22/40 and X.23/40; total of 996 built by Harris Lebus and one by Airspeed but no operational use and issued instead to Glider Training Schools, for use with Audax, Hector and Master tugs. Twenty-two to Canada 1942, of which six later to USN and one to USAAF.

Gliding speed, 80-90 mph (129-145 km/h). Gross weight, 3,598 Ib (1,633 kg). Span, 45 jt 103h in (13.99 m). Length, 39ft 3'h in (11.98 m).

General Aircraft Hotspur III: Fifty General Aircraft Hotspur Us modified to have dual controls for training use.

General Aircraft Twin Hotspur: One G.A.L. 48B proto-type (MP486) tested August 1942 behind a Whitley tug, comprising two General Aircraft Hotspur II fuselages joined by a 12 ft (3.66 m) centre section, with standard outer wings, to carry 15 troops.

Span 57 ft 11 in (17.65 m). Gross weight, 6,450 Ib (2,926kg).