Percival Petrel
| Q.6 | |
|---|---|
| |
| 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 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).
The Royal Air Force bought seven aircraft for communications duties under Air Ministry Specification 25/38; these were unofficially 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.
- Q.6 Mk I
- Prototype fitted with wings intended for the Q.4 variant, one built.
- Q.6 Mk II
- Production variant with fixed landing gear, 12 built.
- Q.6 Mk III
- Variant with retractable landing gear. four built and one conversion from Mk II.
- Q.6 Mk IV
- Proposed air survey variant, not built.
- Q.6 Mk V
- Variant for military communications with a toilet, four passenger seats, nine-built.
- Petrel
- Name given to Q.6 Mk V military communications aircraft.
Operators
Civilian operators
- King Ghazi I
- Iraqi State Railways
The aircraft was also operated by flying clubs, companies and private individuals.
Military operators
- Royal Egyptian Air Force, two aircraft used by the Royal Flight
- Royal Iraqi Air Force, one aircraft acquired in 1939
- Soviet Air Force operated two aircraft captured in June 1940 from Lithuanian Air Lines following the Occupation of the Baltic states.
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
- Crew: 2
- Capacity: 4/6
Performance
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
- List of aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm
- List of aircraft of the Royal Air Force
- List of aircraft of World War II
References
Notes
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.
External links
