Percival Proctor
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| Percival Proctor | |
|---|---|
 |
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| RAF Percival Proctor I | |
| Type | Radio trainer/Communications aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Percival Aircraft Limited |
| Designed by | Edgar Percival |
| Maiden flight | 8 October 1939 |
| Retired | 1955 |
| Primary users | RAF Fleet Air Arm |
| Number built | 1,143 |
| Variants | Percival Vega Gull |
The Percival Proctor was a British radio trainer and communications aircraft of the Second World War. The Proctor was a single-engine, low-wing monoplane with seating for three or four, depending on the model.
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[edit] Design and development
The Proctor was developed from the Percival Vega Gull in response to Air Ministry Specification 20/38 for a radio trainer and communications aircraft. The prototype first flew on 8 October 1939 [1] and the type was put into production for the RAF and RN. While the prototype was tested as an emergency bomber during 1940, plans for use of the Proctor as a bomber were abandoned as the invasion threat receded.
[edit] Operational history
The Proctor was initially employed as a three-seat communications aircraft (Proctor I). This was followed by the Proctor II and Proctor III three-seat radio trainers.
In 1941, the Air Ministry issued Specification T.9/41 for a four-seat radio trainer. The P.31 - originally Preceptor but finally Proctor IV - was developed for this with an enlarged fuselage. One Proctor IV was fitted with a 250-hp (157-kW) Gipsy Queen engine. This was used as a personal transport by AVM Sir Ralph Sorley but production models retained the 210-hp (157-kW) motor of earlier marks.
At the end of the war, many Proctors of the early marks were sold onto the civil market. The Mk IV soldiered on until the last was withdrawn in 1955.
In 1945, a civil model derived from the Proctor IV was put into production as the Proctor 5. The RAF purchased four of these for use by air attachés.
The final model of the line was the solitary Proctor 6 floatplane sold to the Hudson's Bay Company in 1946.
[edit] Survivors
Two Percival Proctor IIIs Z7197 - RAF Museum, Hendon on display and LZ766 at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford in restoration and one Proctor IV NP294 at the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, East Kirkby (also in restoration) are surviving airframes.
In 1968, three Proctors - Mk I, G-AIEY; Mk III, G-ALOK and Mk 5, G-AIAE - were remodelled with cranked wings and other cosmetic alterations to represent Junkers Ju 87s in the MGM film "Battle of Britain.[2]
[edit] Variants
- P.28 Proctor I - three-seat communications aircraft - 247 built
- P.30 Proctor II - three-seat radio trainer - 175 built
- P.31 Proctor IV - four-seat radio trainer - 258 built
- P.34 Proctor III - three-seat radio trainer - 437 built
- Proctor 5 - four-seat civil light aircraft - 150 built
- Proctor 6 - floatplane - one built
[edit] Operators
United Kingdom:
- Belgium
- Belgian Air Force: Six Percival P.31C Proctor 4s were used between June 1947 and July 1954
[edit] Specifications (Proctor I-III)
Data from The Hamlyn Concise Guide to British Aircraft of World War II[3]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2/1
- Capacity: 1/2
- Length: 28 ft 2 in (8.59 m)
- Wingspan: 39 ft 6 in (12.04 m)
- Height: 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m)
- Wing area: 202 ft² (18.77 m²)
- Empty weight: 2,375 lb (1,075 kg)
- Loaded weight: lb (kg)
- Useful load: lb (kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 1,588 lb (3,500 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× de Havilland Gipsy Queen II 2-blade, 210-hp (157-kW)
Performance
- Never exceed speed: knots (mph, km/h)
- Maximum speed: 139 knots (160 mph, 257 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 122 knots (140 mph, 225 km/h)
- Stall speed: 42 knots (48 mph, 77 km/h [4]) (flaps down)
- Range: 435 nm (500 mi, 805 km)
- Service ceiling: 14,000 ft (4,265 m)
- Rate of climb: 700 ft/min (3.6 m/s)
- Wing loading: lb/ft² (kg/m²)
- Power/mass: hp/lb (W/kg)
Armament
[edit] References
- ^ Thetford, Owen. Aircraft of the Royal Air Force 1918-57, 1st edition. London: Putnam, 1957.
- ^ Jackson, A.J. British Civil Aircraft since 1919, Volume 3. London: Putnam, 1974. ISBN 0-370-10006-9.
- ^ Mondey, David. The Hamlyn Concise Guide to British Aircraft of World War II. London: Chancellor Press, 1994. ISBN 1-85152-668-4.
- ^ Air Transport Auxiliary Ferry Pilots Notes (reproduction). Elvington, York, UK: Yorkshire Air Museum, 1996. ISBN 0-9512379-8-5.
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