LETTER 1 filename1.txt March 10, 2006 Via Facsimile (216) 579-0212 and U.S. Mail Christopher J. Hewitt, Esq. Jones Day 901 Lakeside Avenue Cleveland, OH 44114-1190 Re: Gencorp Inc. Revised Preliminary Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A Filed March 8, 2006 File No. 1-01520 Dear Mr. Hewitt: We have reviewed your filing and have the following comments. Schedule 14A Proxy Solicitation and Expenses, page 3 1. Please fill in the blanks in this section. Proposal 1 Election of Directors Advance Notice of Shareholder Nominees, page 5 2. We note your revisions in response to comment 3. Please expand your disclosure to show how each of your bullet points relate to your ultimate conclusion that electing your nominees is in the best interests of Gencorp`s security holders. For example, explain why the fact that Pirate Capital has criticized the "decline in stockholder equity" indicates that electing its nominees would not be in the best interests of your security holders. Also, expand upon the backgrounds and comparative experience of each party`s nominees and explain why a change of the board`s composition at this time would be premature. Why does a change of three directors (out of ten directors) affect the company`s efforts to maximize shareholder value? Why is the change premature at this time? Proposal 3 Shareholder Proposal Board Policy Regarding Board Classification, page 39 3. Please make the distinction between the vote required to approve the proposal by your code of regulations and the vote you will require to make a future proposal on this matter (as noted in your response to comment 4) explicit in the proxy statement. Closing Comments Please amend the preliminary proxy statement in response to these comments. Clearly and precisely mark the changes to the preliminary proxy statement effected by the amendment, as required by Rule 14a-6(h) and Rule 310 of Regulation S-T. We may have further comments upon receipt of your amendment; therefore, please allow adequate time after the filing of the amendment for further staff review. Please direct any questions to me at (202) 551-3619 or, in my absence, to Pam Carmody, Special Counsel, at (202) 551-3265. You may also contact me via facsimile at (202) 772-9203. Please send all correspondence to us at the following ZIP code: 20549-3628. Sincerely, Daniel F. Duchovny Attorney-Advisor Office of Mergers and Acquisitions ?? ?? ?? ?? Christopher J. Hewitt, Esq. Jones Day March 10, 2006 Page 1 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549-3628 DIVISION OF CORPORATION FINANCE