Percival Gull

Percival Aircraft · United Kingdom · first flew 1932 · light aircraft

The Percival Gull was a British light touring and racing monoplane of the 1930s, celebrated for its elegant lines and impressive performance. It became famous through a series of long-distance record flights.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	7.54 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Sleek 1930s British touring monoplane
Low-wing with retractable or fixed undercarriage
Famous for long-distance record flights

A clean, low-wing monoplane with an enclosed cabin, distinctive tapered wings, and the slim fuselage characteristic of Percival's efficient designs.

Specifications

The Percival Gull has a length of 7.54 m (25 ft).
It has a wingspan of 11.02 m (36 ft).
Its maximum speed is 233 km/h (145 mph).
Typical crew: 1-3.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Designed by Edgar Percival and first flown in 1932, the Gull achieved international fame when Jean Batten used a Gull Six to make record-breaking solo flights from England to Australia and across the South Atlantic. The aircraft demonstrated that a small touring plane could achieve remarkable range and speed with careful design. It was produced in modest numbers for private and sporting use.

Variants

The Gull Four had a 130 hp Gipsy Major engine; the Gull Six used a more powerful 200 hp Gipsy Six for higher performance and longer range.

Where you'll see it

Used by private owners and record-breaking aviators in the UK and internationally through the 1930s; it is associated prominently with British record-setting achievements of the era.

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