Percival Vega Gull
Percival Aircraft · United Kingdom · first flew 1935 · light aircraft
The Percival Vega Gull was a British four-seat enclosed-cabin touring monoplane first flown in November 1935, renowned for its use in several record-breaking long-distance flights. Its combination of performance, range, and comfort made it one of the most sought-after private aircraft of the late 1930s.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.77 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Elegant four-seat enclosed-cabin low-wing monoplane with foldable tapered wings
- De Havilland Gipsy Six inline engine with a rounded low-drag cowling
- Associated with record-setting long-distance flights of the 1930s
The Vega Gull's tapered low wing with distinctive outboard dihedral and the foldable wing tips are characteristic; the enclosed four-seat cabin and de Havilland Gipsy Six's slim profile distinguish it from radial-engined contemporaries.
Specifications
- The Percival Vega Gull has a length of 7.77 m (25 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12.04 m (40 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 280 km/h (174 mph).
- Typical crew: 1-4.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The Vega Gull entered the record books through three notable flights: Jean Batten's solo flight from England to New Zealand, Beryl Markham's solo east-to-west North Atlantic crossing in 1936 (the first by a woman), and Amy Johnson's record-breaking runs. The aircraft was later impressed into Royal Air Force service as a communications aircraft.
Variants
A single primary variant; some aircraft were converted for military communications use during World War Two.
Where you'll see it
Impressed into RAF service during World War Two as communications aircraft; also served with civil operators before the war.
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