Hamilcar

The Hamilcar was a heavy glider built by General Aircraft Limited in the United Kingdom during the Second World War. Designed to transport large loads such as tanks, artillery and engineering equipment, the Hamilcar first flew in 1943 and entered service with the Royal Air Force in 1944. Its high‑wing, fabric‑covered wooden structure gave it a wingspan of 110 ft (33.5 m) and a payload capacity of up to 7 tonnes, making it the largest glider ever produced by Britain. The aircraft could be towed by a Halifax or Lancaster bomber and released at altitude, after which it glided to a landing zone where the cargo could be quickly off‑loaded via a rear ramp. Over 380 Hamilcars were built, and they played a crucial role in operations such as the D‑Day landings, the Arnhem airborne assault, and the crossing of the Rhine. Although the glider concept was overtaken by powered transport after the war, the Hamilcar demonstrated the feasibility of airborne delivery of heavy armour, influencing post‑war designs like the Bristol Freighter and shaping modern air‑mobile logistics. Its legacy endures as a testament to innovative wartime engineering. Today, preserved examples are displayed in several aviation museums, reminding visitors of its remarkable contribution to airborne logistics.