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General Aircraft Cygnet | National Museum of Flight

The Cygnet was the first light aircraft made in Britain with all-metal construction.

Only 11 Cygnets were built, between 1936 and 1941.

This Cygnet was originally built for recreational flying. Like many civilian aircraft, it was taken into military service during the Second World War. It was flown twice by Squadron Leader Guy Gibson, leader of the ‘Dam Busters’ attack on the Ruhr dams in Germany in May 1943. In February 1942, he was an instructor at a training unit. He flew the Cygnet to train pilots who were not used to aircraft with a nose wheel.

Date:  1940
Mark: II
Crew: 1 (pilot)
Passengers: 1
Top speed: 135 mph (217 km/h)
Range: 445 miles (716 km)

General Aircraft Cygnet flown by Squadron Leader Guy Gibson

Cygnet

Cockpit view

Cygnet cockpit

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