Percival Petrel

Q.6 Petrel
Role Six-seat military communications aircraft, four- or six-seat civil feederliner
Manufacturer Percival Aircraft Ltd
Designer Edgar Percival
First flight 14 September 1937
Introduction 1938
Status Retired
Primary users Royal Air Force
Fleet Air Arm
Lithuania
Egypt
Number built 27


The Percival Q.6 Petrel was a 1930s British communications aircraft built by Percival Aircraft Limited at Luton. Originally, the Percival Q.6 was a civil transport but It was used during the Second World War by the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy as a communications and liaison aircraft.[1] It was a twin-engine, low-wing monoplane with a tailwheel undercarriage.

Design and development

The Percival Type-Q was Percival's first twin-engine aircraft. It was constructed of wood, with plywood and fabric covering. It had a fixed, tailwheel undercarriage, with faired mainwheels, although four of the production machines would be equipped with retractable undercarriage.

Two versions were designed: the Q.4, a four-seat executive transport, and the Q.6, a six-seat feederliner. The Q.4 was not built. The prototype Q.6, registration G-AEYE, first flew on 14 September 1937 at Luton Airport. Production started in 1938, and the first production aircraft, registered G-AFFD, was delivered to Sir Philip Sassoon on 2 March 1938.

Operational history

A small number were exported, including one to the King Ghazi I of Iraq, two to the Lithuanian Ministry of Communications, one to the Australian Civil Aviation Board and two to the Egyptian government in military camouflage. A total of 27 aircraft were built (one prototype and 26 production aircraft).

Ex RAF Petrel operated in the UK in 1949 by Ductile Steels as an executive transport

The Royal Air Force bought seven aircraft for communications duties under Air Ministry Specification 25/38; these were named Petrel. The Egyptian government bought two Q.6s.

In the early months of the Second World War, most of the civil Q.6s were requisitioned for service with the RAF and RN. Two Q.6s of the Lithuanian National Airline were impressed by the Soviet Air Forces in 1940.

With one exception, all the civilian Q.6s served with the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Between 1946 and 1947, four requisitioned Q.6s and three Petrels were sold to civilian buyers. These were operated by small UK airlines, as executive transports and flown by private pilot owners.

Variants

Q.4
Four-seat civil executive transport, none built.
Q.6
Six-seat civil feederliner.
Petrel
Six-seat military communications aircraft, seven built.

Operators

Civilian operators

 Australia
 Egypt
 France
India British India
 Iraq
 Lithuania
 United Kingdom

The aircraft was also operated by flying clubs, companies and private individuals.

Military operators

 Egypt
 Soviet Union
 United Kingdom

Survivors

One Q.6, the first production registered G-AFFD, is still current on the United Kingdom Civil Aircraft Register but with an expired certificate of airworthiness. Currently being stored at Seething Airfield, Norwich, Norfolk.[2] Under restoration to flight condition. This aircraft is believed to be the only remaining example of the aircraft type.

Specifications (Percival Petrel)

Data from The Hamlyn Concise Guide to British Aircraft of World War II.[1]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
Related lists

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 Mondey, David. The Hamlyn Concise Guide to British Aircraft of World War II. London: Chancellor Press, 1994. ISBN 1-85152-668-4.
  2. ↑ G-INFO - UK Civil Aircraft Register. "G-AFFD." UK Civil Aircraft Register. Retrieved: 16 March 2007.

Bibliography

  • Ellis, Ken. Wrecks & Relics. Hinckley, UK: Midland Publishing, 2006. ISBN 1-85780-235-7.
  • The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). London: Orbis Publishing, 1985.
  • Jackson, A.J. British Civil Aircraft Since 1919, Volume 3. London: Putnam, 1974. ISBN 978-0-37010-014-2.
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