Exhibit 23.1

               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of GenCorp Inc. for
the registration of $300,000,000 of its common stock, preferred share purchase
rights, cumulative preference stock, debt securities, depositary shares,
warrants, stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units and to the
incorporation by reference therein of our report dated February 28, 2002, with
respect to the consolidated financial statements of GenCorp Inc. included in
its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended November 30, 2001, filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                        /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Sacramento, California
June 17, 2002