Percival Mew Gull
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| Mew Gull | |
|---|---|
| Type | Racing aeroplane |
| Manufacturer | Percival Aircraft Company |
| Designed by | Edgar Percival |
| Maiden flight | March 1934 |
| Number built | 6 |
The Percival Mew Gull was a British racing aeroplane of the 1930s. It was a small, single-engine, single-seat monoplane of wooden construction with a fixed tailwheel undercarriage.
Contents |
[edit] Development
With the Gull already making a name for itself as a racer, Edgar Percival designed and built a purpose-built single-seat racer derivative in a few months in 1933-4.
[edit] Variants and history
In fact, the Mew Gulls were a family of half-siblings, each tailored to the customers demands. Six were built.
G-ACND
The prototype Mew Gull was designated Type E.1. It was first flown, fitted with a Napier Javelin, by Edgar Percival in March 1934. Powered by a 200-hp de Havilland Gipsy Six, it was raced in the King's Cup Race. It was destroyed in a crash near Angoulême during the Coupe Michelin in October 1935.
G-ACND
The Type E.2 carried the same registration as its predecessor and first flew powered by a 200-hp Gipsy Six. It was fitted with a smaller Regnier engine of 180-hp to qualify for the Coupe Armand Esders of 1935. With the Gipsy Six reinstated, it flew in a number of further races, winning the Folkestone Trophy Race.
G-AEKL
Edgar Percival flew this machine in the King's Cup and Folkestone Trophy Races of 1936. It was then sold and its new owners entered it in the Schlesinger Race. However, it was damaged in an accident at Speke that autumn in which the pilot was fatally injured. The aircraft was rebuilt in 1937 won the Newcastle Race for its new owner. It was damaged beyond repair in an accident in August 1965.
ZS-AHM
"The Golden City" was built to the order of A.M. Miller for the Schlesinger. It ran out of fuel and was retired. Alex Henshaw bought it, reregistered as G-AEXF and won the 1937 Folkestone Trophy. For 1938, Henshaw campaigned 'XF with Gipsy Six R engine. In February 1939, powered by a Gipsy Six Series II and with revised equipment he set a new mark for the out-and-home Cape record.
ZS-AHO
"Baragwanath" was built to the order of S.S. Halse for the Schlesinger. It made a forced landing in Southern Rhodesia, hit an ant hill and come to a halt on its back.
G-AFAA
The Type E.3H was completely new design, powered by a Gipsy Six Series II. It first flew in 1937 and raced by Percival in 1937 and 1938.
[edit] Aircraft markings
[edit] Units using this aircraft/Operators
[edit] Specifications (Type E.1)
Data from British Civil Aircraft since 1919[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 18 ft 3 in (m)
- Wingspan: 24 ft (m)
- Height: 6 ft 10 in (m)
- Wing area: 88 ft² (m²)
- Empty weight: 996 lb (kg)
- Loaded weight: 1,460 lb (kg)
- Useful load: lb (kg)
- Max takeoff weight: lb (kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Napier Javelin IA inline, 165-hp (kW)
Performance
- Never exceed speed: knots (mph, km/h)
- Maximum speed: 195 mph (km/h)
- Cruise speed: 175 mph (km/h)
- Stall speed: knots (mph, km/h)
- Range: 550 mi (km)
- Service ceiling: ft (m)
- Rate of climb: ft/min (m/s)
- Wing loading: lb/ft² (kg/m²)
- Power/mass: hp/lb (W/kg)
[edit] References
- ^ Jackson, Aubrey. British Civil Aircraft since 1919. Putnam.
[edit] External links
[edit] Related content
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