Percival Petrel
Percival Aircraft · United Kingdom · first flew 1937 · transport aircraft
The Percival Petrel was a British twin-engine executive and feeder transport of the late 1930s, offering business travellers a fast and comfortable private aircraft. It was an elegant design reflecting the high standards of British light aviation in the period.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.83 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
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Spot it by:
- British 1930s twin-engine executive transport
- Sleek low-wing monoplane with tapered wings
- Retractable undercarriage and enclosed cabin
A sleek low-wing twin monoplane with tapered wings, retractable undercarriage, and a streamlined cabin fuselage. The Petrel's elegant proportions and 1930s British construction style distinguish it from contemporary American designs.
Specifications
- The Percival Petrel has a length of 9.83 m (32 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14.22 m (47 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 314 km/h (195 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 pilot, 4-6 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed by Percival Aircraft and first flown in 1937, the Petrel was aimed at the private owner and charter market. Several were built and operated by business users and small charter companies before the outbreak of war curtailed production and civil operations.
Variants
The Petrel was produced in a small series with minor variations; a few were impressed into RAF service during the Second World War for communications duties.
Where you'll see it
The Petrel served with private owners and small operators in the UK during the late 1930s; wartime examples were used by the RAF in communications roles. It is genuinely relevant to UK pre-war civil aviation.
Related aircraft
- Percival Proctor
- Percival Vega Gull
- Percival Gull
- Percival Prentice
- Barkley-Grow T8P-1
- Beechcraft 18
- Beechcraft JRB-4 Voyager
- Blohm & Voss BV 138
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