Aeroplane Monthly 1994-04 / B.MacGowan - Tailless tales

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: TS507   [10]

The first of the series, the ill-fated GAL 56/01 TS507.

Aeroplane Monthly 1993-11 / C.Prower - From Brisfit to Beverley: Tailless experimentals (7)

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: TS507   [10]

The GAL 56/01, TS507, displaying its generously large elevons, both lowered in this view. It was in this glider that Robert Kronfeld died in a fatal accident while flying from Lasham on February 12, 1948.

Air Enthusiast 1996-07 / A.Pelletier - Towards the ideal aircraft? (1)

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: TS507   [10]

The General Aircraft GAL.56/01 was fitted with the so-called ‘medium V’ wing, which featured a sweep of 28.4° at one quarter chord. On February 12, 1948, this weird-looking machine was totally wrecked in an accident, killing test pilot Robert Kronfeld.

Aeroplane Monthly 1993-12 / C.Prower - From Brisfit to Beverley: Sweepback research (8)

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: TS507   [10]

The General Aircraft G.A.L. 56/01 Experimental Tail-less Glider.
GAL 56/01 TS507, in which test pilot Robert Kronfeld lost his life while flying from Lasham on February 12, 1948.

Aeroplane Monthly 1994-04 / B.MacGowan - Tailless tales

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: TS507   [10]

Also seen at Radlett in September 1947, the GAL 56/01 has had the wartime camouflage of its upper surfaces overpainted, possibly in yellow, although the undersides retain the yellow and black diagonals of a training glider.

Aeroplane Monthly 1993-11 / C.Prower - From Brisfit to Beverley: Tailless experimentals (7)

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: TS507   [10]

The first GAL 56, the "medium V" TS507. Note the yellow-and-black underside finish.
Another ill-fated aircraft; the first GAL 56, TS507, was reported by Kronfeld to be pleasant to fly, but RAE pilots disliked it. On February 12, 1948, Kronfeld lost his life in it when it entered a stable stall and he lost control.

Aeroplane Monthly 1994-04 / B.MacGowan - Tailless tales

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: TS507   [10]

A study of the GAL 56/01, in which Robert Kronfeld lost his life on February 12, 1948, the author baling out just in time.

Aeroplane Monthly 1993-12 / C.Prower - From Brisfit to Beverley: Sweepback research (8)

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: TS507   [10]

The GAL 56/01, TS507, portrayed in a General Aircraft photograph and superimposed against a dramatic cloud background.

Aeroplane Monthly 1993-11 / C.Prower - From Brisfit to Beverley: Tailless experimentals (7)

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: TS507   [10]

A Halifax bomber tows the first General Aircraft GAL 56 tailless glider, the “Medium V”, which had a sweep of 28-4° at one quarter chord.

Другие самолёты на фотографии: Another planes on the photo: Handley Page Halifax A/C / Halton - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

Aeroplane Monthly 1994-04 / B.MacGowan - Tailless tales

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: TS510D   [6]

Halifax Mk IX RT894 tows GAL 56/04 TS510D.

Другие самолёты на фотографии: Another planes on the photo: Handley Page Halifax A/C / Halton - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

Aeroplane Monthly 1997-12 / D.Webb - Tailless trials /Tested & failed/

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: TS510D   [6]

A rare inflight study of the General Aircraft GAL 56 “medium-U” glider, TS510, under tow behind a Halifax, with Kronfeld piloting.

Aeroplane Monthly 1994-04 / B.MacGowan - Tailless tales

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: TS510D   [6]

A rare flying shot of the GAL 56/04, TS510D, which had a “medium U” wing with an average sweep of 28-4°.

Aeroplane Monthly 1993-11 / C.Prower - From Brisfit to Beverley: Tailless experimentals (7)

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: TS510D   [6]

TS510, the “Medium U” GAL 56, had a straight leading edge on the inner section of the wing.

Aeroplane Monthly 1993-11 / C.Prower - From Brisfit to Beverley: Tailless experimentals (7)

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: TS510D   [6]

An earlier view of the GAL 56/02, the “Medium U”, in February 1946, still in its wartime colour scheme.

Aeroplane Monthly 1994-04 / B.MacGowan - Tailless tales

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: TS510D   [6]

The U-winged TS510D after the towrope failed under stress and the glider nosed over hard on to the runway. Note the wing tufting.

Aeroplane Monthly 1997-12 / D.Webb - Tailless trials /Tested & failed/

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: TS513B   [6]

TS513, the GAL 56 “maximum V” variant of the family.

Aeroplane Monthly 1993-11 / C.Prower - From Brisfit to Beverley: Tailless experimentals (7)

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: TS513B   [6]

The GAL 56/03 “Maximum V”, TS513, had a sweep of 36-4°. The strange reverse tricycle undercarriage was a distinctive feature of the GAL.56 series.

Aeroplane Monthly 1994-04 / B.MacGowan - Tailless tales

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: TS513B   [6]

The GAL 56/03, TS513B, was the “maximum V” variant, with 36-4° sweep.

Aeroplane Monthly 1994-04 / B.MacGowan - Tailless tales

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: TS513B   [6]

The GAL 56/03 TS513B in January 1947, showing the conspicuous inward rake of the main undercarriage legs.

Aeroplane Monthly 1993-11 / C.Prower - From Brisfit to Beverley: Tailless experimentals (7)

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: TS513B   [6]

Another view of TS513, which carried the curious serial “TS513B” throughout its life.

Aeroplane Monthly 1994-04 / B.MacGowan - Tailless tales

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: TS513B   [6]

The GAL 56/03 at the SBAC Display at Radlett in September 1947. Note the prominent extensions on the outboard wing leading edge.

Aeroplane Monthly 1993-12 / C.Prower - From Brisfit to Beverley: Sweepback research (8)

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: TS515   [4]

GAL 61 TS515 at the SBAC show at Radlett in September 1948. It had not flown at the time of the show.

Aeroplane Monthly 1993-12 / C.Prower - From Brisfit to Beverley: Sweepback research (8)

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: TS515   [4]

Detail view of the GAL 61’s “trafficators”. These drag bars slid in and out to yaw the aircraft.

Aeroplane Monthly 1993-12 / C.Prower - From Brisfit to Beverley: Sweepback research (8)

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: TS515   [4]

Another view of GAL 61 TS515 at the 1948 SBAC show at Radlett. Note the retractable undercarriage.

Aeroplane Monthly 1993-11 / C.Prower - From Brisfit to Beverley: Tailless experimentals (7)

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: TS515   [4]

The fourth and last of the GAL tailless gliders was the GAL 61, TS515, which had no fins or rudders. The cockpit was offset to port and the observer had a prone position to starboard.

Aeroplane Monthly 1987-10 / Personal album

Last of several tailless research gliders (GAL 56) under construction at Hanworth. Following test pilot Sqn Ldr Robert Kronfeld's death whilst testing another GAL 56 on February 12,1948, this glider was never completed.

Aeroplane Monthly 1993-11 / C.Prower - From Brisfit to Beverley: Tailless experimentals (7)

One of the three GAL 56s under construction at Feltham.

Aeroplane Monthly 1994-04 / B.MacGowan - Tailless tales

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: TS507   [10]