Hindustan Aircraft G-1
G-1 | |
---|---|
Role | Transport glider |
National origin | India |
Manufacturer | Hindustan Aircraft Limited |
First flight | 1942 |
Number built | 1 |
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The Hindustan Aircraft G-1 was a Second World War Indian transport glider, the first design of Hindustan Aircraft Limited, only one glider was built.[1]
Design and development
The G-1 was designed in 1941 and 1942 and was a ten-seat semi-monocoque wooden glider.[1] The fuselage was covered with 2-ply molded plywood with the rudder and elevators fabric covered. The single-spar cantilver wing had spoilers on the upper surface.[1] The cockpit had dual controls for a pilot and co-pilot in tandem and the enclosure had framed transparent plastic panels for increased visibility, the cockpit enclosure could be removed to allow access and was jettisonable in an emergency.[1] The rear fuselage had room for eight passengers with a large door on the right-hand side, the plastic windows in the fuselage had gun ports to allow the troops to fire rifles during the flight.[1] One prototype was built with parts produced for a further ten gliders, only the prototype flew and the other ten were not assembled.[1]
Specifications
Data from Mrazek[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2 (pilot, co-pilot)
- Capacity: 8 passengers or cargo
- Length: 30 ft 6 in (9.30 m)
- Wingspan: 56 ft 8.5 in (17.285 m)
- Height: 11 ft 1 in (3.38 m)
- Wing area: 300 sq ft (28 m2)
- Aspect ratio: 10
- Empty weight: 1,500 lb (680 kg)
- Gross weight: 8,818 lb (4,000 kg) with cargo
Performance
- Cruise speed: 160 mph (139 kn; 257 km/h) while being towed
See also
References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to HAL military aircraft. |
Note
Bibliography
- Mrazek, James E. (2011). Airborne Combat - The Glider War/Fighting Gliders of WII. Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, United States: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-0808-1.