History
The Percival Proctor was a development of the pre-war Gull. The prototype D.1 Gull (G-ABUR), a 3-seat tourer first appeared in 1932. The successor was D.2 designated Gull IV.
In 1934 Percival introduced the D.3 Gull VI, with a DH Gipsy Six engine, improved undercarriage and improved cabin layout (especially top and doors), but retained the Gull IV folding wing.
In November 1935, the four-seat K.1 Vega Gull was introduced, with a DH Gipsy Six engine and equipped with dual controls and flaps. This type was very successful and there were ninety examples built till July 1939.
The Proctor was originally a military version of the Vega Gull in which the number of seats was reduced to three. It was mainly used for training and communication work by the RAF, FAA and for air transport assistance.
Versions.
- P.28 Proctor I:
- was meant for communication purposes. The Navy version, Mk. Ia had room for a radio operator in the rear.
- P.30 Proctor II:
- was used by the FAA with the radio operator next to the pilot.
- P.31 Proctor III:
- Series 1 was used by the RAF as a three seat aircraft communications, and series 2 as a two seat radio trainer.
- P.34 Proctor IV:
- redesigned and returned to a four seat, with a longer and deeper body (and was initially called Precepter). This type was used as a three seat trainer or as four individual radio communications aircraft.
- >Proctor V:
- was a civilian version of the Proctor IV.
The production totalled 247 units of the Mk.I, 175 examples of the Mk.II, 437 examples of the Mk. III and 258 Mk.IVs and finally another 150 pieces of Mk.V.
One single Proctor VI float plane was manufactured in 1946 for the Hudson's Bay Company
| Dimensions: | |||
| Length: | 7,94 m | Wingspan: | 12,02 m |
| Height: | 2,24 m | Wing area: | 17,09 m2 |
| Weights: | |||
| Empty weight: | 851 kg | Max. start weight: | 1474 kg |
| Performances: | |||
| Max. speed: | 265 km/hr | Climbing speed: | - m/min |
| Cruising speed: | 241 km/hr | ||
| Range: | 1062 km | Service ceiling: | 5180 m |
| Miscellaneous: | |||
| Engine type: | One De Havilland Gipsy Six series II rated 210 hp | ||
| Crew: | One pilot | ||
| Armament: | None | ||
The length of the Proctor Mk. III from the edge of the rudder to point of the spinner is 8.2 m.
| Dimensions: | |||
| Length: | 8,59 m | Wingspan: | 12,04 m |
| Height: | 2,21 m | Wing area: | 18,77 m2 |
| Weights: | |||
| Empty weight: | 1075 kg | Max. start weight: | 1588 kg |
| Performances: | |||
| Max. speed: | 257 km/hr | Climbing speed: | - m/min |
| Cruising speed: | 225 km/hr | ||
| Range: | 805 km | Service ceiling: | 4265 m |
| Miscellaneous: | |||
| Engine type: | One De Havilland Gipsy Queen Mk.III rated 210 hp | ||
| Crew: | |||
| Armament: | None | ||
In service with RNlAF and RAF.
For use with the telegraph and training observers in 1947 ten Proctors were purchased from British surplus stocks.
The W-1, a Mk. III, was used during the war in 1316 Communications Flight as liaison aircraft. During 1953 they were withdrawn from use.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information].
Note the difference between the Mk. III and the Mk.IV below. The Mk. III has a somewhat lower cabin and also the window just aft the canopy is smaller.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
| Serial
Serial
| RAF Serial
RAF Serial
| Constr. nr.
Constr. nr.
| Date in service
Date in service
| Date out of service
Date out of service
| Notes
notes
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percival Proctor P.31 Mk.III | |||||
| W-1 | HM365 | H.275 | In use with 1316 (Allied) Flight; After 2nd world war as W-1, RNlAF. Scrapped |
||
| Percival Proctor P.34 Mk.IV | |||||
| W-2 | NP158 | H.565 | Scrapped | ||
| W-3 | NP162 | H.569 | Scrapped | ||
| W-4 | NP166 | H.573 | Scrapped | ||
| W-5 | NP192 | H.599 | Scrapped | ||
| W-6 | NP213 | H.609 | Scrapped | ||
| W-7 | NP241 | H.637 | Scrapped | ||
| W-8 | NP272 | H.656 | Scrapped | ||
| W-9 | NP283 | H.667 | Scrapped | ||
| W-10 | NP348 | H.719 | Scrapped | ||
| W-11 | NP360 | H.731 | Scrapped | ||
Scale 1/72
- Frog/Novo
- Kit F341: Zie ook modelingmadness.com: Percival Proctor
- Kit F341: Zie ook modelingmadness.com: Percival Proctor
- Kiwi Resin Models
- Kit XX: Percival P.10 Vega Gull, a resin kit with vacu formed canopy. [This might by converted to a Proctor III. One should change the canopy and the other windows]
- Omega:
- Kit OM72228/72229/72304: Several resin kits of a Vega Gull. [This might by converted to a Proctor III. One should change the canopy and the other windows]
A model of the Percival Proctor, built about mid eighties. The kit used is the Novo kit; the decals are used from several sets from IPMS Nederland.
Modelling add-on
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- Set --: --
Decals
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- Set --: --
Scale 1/48
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- Kit --: --
Modelling add-on
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- Set --: --
Decals
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- Set --: --
| Scheme | Colour name | BS number | Humbrol | XtraColor | Vallejo Model Color | Vallejo Model Air | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proctor Mk.III RAF | |||||||
| Standard RAF | Upper surfaces | Dark Earth | BS:450 | 29 | X002 | 70.921 | - |
| dark Green | BS:641 | 163 | X001 | 70.892 | 71.012 | ||
| Undersides | Trainer Yellow | BS:356 | 154 | X106 | 70.853 | 71.078 | |
| Proctor Mk.III LSK | |||||||
| Standard #1 | Overall | Aluminium Dope | 191 | X216 | 70.864 | 71.064 | |
| Proctor Mk.IV LSK ca 1946 | |||||||
| Standard RAF | Upper surfaces | Dark Earth | BS:450 | 29 | X002 | 70.921 | |
| Dark Green | BS:641 | 163 | X001 | 70.892 | 71.012 | ||
| Undersides | Trainer Yellow | BS:356 | 154 | X106 | 70.853 | 71.078 | |
| Proctor Mk.IV LSK ca 1950 | |||||||
| Standard #2 | Overall | Trainer Yellow | BS:356 | 154 | X106 | 70.953 | 71.078 |
Check www.paint4models.com for an extensive conversion table with lots of colour and paint systems.
Percival Proctor Mk.III
Percival Proctor Mk.IV
Literature.
| Van Brik tot Starfighter | H. Hooftman | 1965 | La Rivière en Voorhoeve - Zwolle | |
| Nederlandse Militaire Luchtvaart in Beeld. deel 2 | Hugo Hooftman | Pag. 2; 26 - 29 | 1978 | Uitgever: Europese Bibliotheek, Zaltbommel |
| Dutch Military Aviation 1945-1978 | Paul A. Jackson | Pag. 96; 105; 125 | 1978 | Uitgever: Midland Countries Publications, Leicester |
| Van Luchtvaartafdeling tot Koninklijke Luchtmacht 75 jaar Militaire Luchtvaart in Nederland | Koos van de Berg | Pag. 32 | 1987 | Uitgever: Rebo Produkties, Sassenheim |
| KLu Vliegtuigen: De vliegtuigen van de Koninklijke Luchtmacht vanaf 1913 | Wim Schoenmaker & Thijs Postma | Pag. 96 | 1987 | Uitgeverij De Alk, Alkmaar |
| Squadrons van de Koninklijke Luchtmacht (derde herzien druk) | Willem Helfferich | Pag. 23 - | 1994 | Uitgevers Wyt, Rotterdam |
| Camouflage en Kentekens | J.Greuter e.a. | 1997 | Bonneville – Bergen (NH) |
Websites.
Nederlands (nl-NL) 
English (United Kingdom)