General Aircraft Fleet Shadower
prototype patrol aircraft by General Aircraft
The General Aircraft G.A.L.38 Fleet Shadower was a British long-range patrol aircraft design of the immediate pre-Second World War period. The Fleet Shadower was a highly specialised aircraft intended to follow enemy naval forces over long periods of time and radio back position information. However, the concept produced an ungainly and ultimately unsuccessful type. The Airspeed Fleet Shadower, built to the same requirement and of broadly similar appearance, also did not progress past the prototype stage.
Design and development
The G.A.L.38 Fleet Shadower and the Airspeed A.S.39 Fleet Shadower were produced to meet Specification S.23/37, which came from the Royal Navy's "Operational Requirement OR.52" for an aircraft which could shadow enemy fleets at night. Initially, three other companies were also involved: Percival, Short Brothers and Fairey Aviation. Following evaluation of the designs General Aircraft and Airspeed were contracted to build two prototypes each, General Aircraft's contract being dated 15 November 1938.
The required performance was a speed of 38 knots (70 km/h) at 1,500 feet (460 m) for not less than six hours. The design would also have to be able to operate from an aircraft carrier and hence have a folding wing for easier deck storage. It would have to give good views for the observer and be quiet at cruising speed.
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