Parnall Panther
George Parnall and Co. · United Kingdom · first flew 1917 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Parnall Panther was a British single-engine carrier-based two-seat spotter and reconnaissance biplane that entered service with the Royal Naval Air Service in 1919. Its most distinctive feature was a rear fuselage that folded laterally aft of the observer's cockpit to reduce the aircraft's footprint on deck.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Rear fuselage folds sideways aft of the observer's cockpit for deck stowage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Rear fuselage folds sideways aft of the observer's cockpit for deck stowage
- Birch plywood monocoque fuselage — smooth oval section
- Flotation airbags under the lower wings and hydrovane on the undercarriage
The folding rear fuselage is unique among naval aircraft of its era; the smooth oval plywood monocoque fuselage contrasts with the fabric-covered tubular-steel construction of most contemporaries.
Specifications
- The Parnall Panther has a length of 7.59 m (25 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 8.99 m (29 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 175 km/h (109 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed during World War One and entering service just after the armistice, the Panther served with the Royal Navy until 1926. The folding-fuselage concept was a novel solution to the limited deck space of early aircraft carriers. The type equipped several squadrons aboard HMS Argus and later HMS Hermes.
Variants
Production Panther Mk.I; no significant production variants.
Where you'll see it
Served with the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm on board HMS Argus and HMS Hermes from 1919 to 1926 in the carrier-borne spotter and reconnaissance role.
Related aircraft
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