A series of tailless research gliders built by General Aircraft Ltd, having differing plan forms with various degrees of sweepback. Designed from 1943 to 1947 three were built under the designation of G.A.L. 56 having a common fuselage nacelle built from steel tubing covered with wooden formers and plywood.
The wings were of wooden construction covered with sheets of low-grade wood interspread with processed paper. On flight trials the gliders were towed by a Spitfire Mk.9.
Flight tests commenced in mid-November 1944.
The GAL.56/02 Medium U was as the GAL.56/01 but with small parallel centre section.
The GAL.56/03 Maximum V was as the GAL.56/01 but with 36.40 degrees sweepback.
The fourth glider in the series was built as the GAL.61.
G.A.L. 56/01 Medium V
Wingspan: 13.92 m / 45 ft 4 in
Overall length: 5.69 m / 18 ft 8 in
Wing area: 32.51 sq.m / 350 sq.ft
Aspect ratio: 5.8
Wing section: RAF 34 modified
Sweepback: 28.4 deg at 25% chord
Pneumatically operated trailing edge flaps
Empty weight: 1472 kg / 3244 lb
AUW: 2000 kg / 4400 lb
Wing loading: 61.37 kg/sq.m / 12.57 lb/sq.ft
Max tow speed: 241 kph / 150 mph
Max dive speed: 322 kph / 200 mph
Stall: 93 kph / 58 mph
GAL.56/02 Medium U
Wingspan: 15.5 m / 51 ft 0 in
Length: 6.4 m / 21 ft 0 in
Wing area: 41.80 sq.m / 450 sq.ft
AUW: 2540 kg / 5600 lb
GAL.56/03 Maximum V
Wingspan: 13.82 m / 45 ft 4 in
Overall length: 7.16m / 23 ft 6 in
Sweepback: 36.40 degrees
AUW: 2268 kg / 5000 lb
All Aero 