Beagle Aircraft

Beagle Aircraft Limited was a British light aircraft manufacturer of types like the Airedale, Bassett, Husky and Pup. It had factories at Rearsby in Leicestershire and Shoreham in Sussex.

History

The British Executive & General Aviation Limited (trading as BEAGLE) was formed in 1960 when the Pressed Steel Company combined its aircraft design office with the former aircraft manufacturers Auster Aircraft Company of Rearsby, Leicestershire and F.G Miles Limited of Shoreham, Sussex.

Initially the three parts of the company operated independently, the Rearsby factory as Beagle-Auster Limited and the Shoreham factory as Beagle-Miles Limited. This did not last long and the three parts of the company were merged at Shoreham as Beagle Aircraft Limited in 1962.

The parent company Pressed Steel became part of the motor industry when it was absorbed into the British Motor Corporation. The company reviewed the involvement in light aircraft manufacturing and requested financial help from the British Government. The British government bought Beagle in 1966 and provided the help needed. When the company needed more financial help the Government put the company into receivership. The Receiver tried to revive and sell the company (now re-named Beagle Aircraft (1969) Limited), but failed and the company assets were disposed of.

Aircraft

The Bassett was a short-lived, twin piston-engined design evolved from the Bristol 220 project whilst the single-engined Bulldog/Pup family of lightplanes sold in greater numbers. Bulldog production was completed by Scottish Aviation at their Prestwick factory following the demise of the Beagle Aircraft Company. At the turn of the 21st Century, many Bulldogs were being sold by air forces to civilian operators, in much the same way that Austers were transferred from Army or RAF squadrons during the 1940s and 1950s.

*Beagle Husky
*Beagle-Auster D4/108
*Beagle A.61 Terrier - single-engined high-winged monoplane
*Beagle A.109 Airedale - single-engined high-winged monoplane
*Beagle B.206 - twin-engined low-winged light transport aircraft
*Beagle B.206R Basset - military version of the B.206
*Beagle B.121 Pup - single-engined low-winged light aircraft
*Beagle B.125 Bulldog - military version of the Pup, built by Scottish Aviation after the company was liquidated.

External links

* [http://www.britishaircraft.co.uk/companypage.php?ID=26 British Aircraft Directory]