Hindustan Aircraft G-1

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]

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 cantilever 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]

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 (260 km/h, 140 kn) while being towed

• Military gliders

• 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.