08/31/2012. The G.A.L. 49 Hamilcar was designed to Spec. X. 27/40 which called for a tank-carrying glider, was preceded by a half-scale model, the G.A.L.50 completed early in 1941. Of wooden construction, the HamiIcar prototype (s/n DP206) made its maiden flight at Snaith on March 27, 1942. General Aircraft Ltd., of Hanworth, Feltham, Middlesex, built 22 production aircraft and another 390 were built by various subcontractors, including the Birmingham Railway Carriage and Waggon Co. Ltd.

The Hamilcar was the largest and heaviest glider used by the Allied forces in WW II, and its major role was the transport of heavy freight to the landing zone, and it was in fact the first British glider to carry a tank into action. It could carry a British Tetrarch Mk IV or US Locust tank, two Bren-gun universal carriers, a self-propelled Bofors gun, two armored scout cars, or freight loads up to 17,500 lb (7,940 kg).The Hamilcar had a crew of two, and featured a sideways-hinging nose to enable vehicles to be driven straight out into action on landing. Over 70 Hamilcars were used in the D-Day landings in Normandy, being towed into action by Halifaxes and Stirlings.

Span: 110 ft 0 in (33.5 m)
Length: 68 ft 0 in (20.7 m)
Height (tail down): 20 ft 3 in (6.2 m)
Wing area: 1,657.5 sq.ft (154 sq.m)
Empty weight: 18,400 lb (8,350 kg)
Military load: 17,600 lb (7,980 kg)
Loaded weight: 36,000 lb (16,330 kg)
Wing loading: 22.37 lb/sq.ft (109.2 kg/sq.m)
Max towing speed: 150 mph (240 kmh)
Max dive speed: 187 mph (300 kmh)
Stall speed: 65 mph (105 kmh)