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

 

Technical information Percival Proctor P.31 Mk.III
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.

Technical information Percival Proctor P.34 Mk.IV
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.

Opleidingsvliegtuig Percival
Percival "Proctor" Mk. III, W-1
[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.
Opleidingsvliegtuig Percival
Percival "Proctor" Mk.IV, W-9.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Opleidingsvliegtuig Percival
An unknown Percival Proctor Mk. IV
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Opleidingsvliegtuig Percival
Percival "Proctor" Mk.IV, W-8, in the last overall trainer yellow paint scheme.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Percival Proctor IV W-4 in flight.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Proctor in de vlucht. Schuin onder rechts.
An inflight photo of an unknown Proctor IV.
[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
  • 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]
Percival Proctor-IMG 2888A 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.

 

Percival Proctor IV-IMG 8696

 

Pervical P 30 Proctor Mk III AKleijn
A model of a Percival Proctor, built by Adri Kleijn.

 

Modelling add-on

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Decals

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Scale 1/48

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Modelling add-on

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        • Set --: --

Decals

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SchemeColour nameBS numberHumbrolXtraColorVallejo Model ColorVallejo Model Air
Proctor Mk.III RAF
Standard RAFUpper 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 #1Overall Aluminium Dope   191 X216 70.864 71.064
Proctor Mk.IV LSK ca 1946
Standard RAFUpper 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 #2Overall 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 III-1-SMALL
Colour scheme Percival Proctor Mk.III, no 1316 Flight RAF ca 1945
Percival Proctor III-SMALL
Colour scheme Percival Proctor Mk.III, LSK ca 1947.

 

Percival Proctor Mk.IV

Percival Proctor IV-1-SMALL
Colour scheme Percival Proctor Mk.IV, LSK ca 1947.
Percival Proctor IV-2-SMALL
Colour scheme Percival Proctor Mk.IV, LSK ca 1950.
Percival Proctor IV-1-SMALL
Colour scheme Percival Proctor Mk.IV, overall Trainer yellow LSK ca 1950.

 


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.

 

Special thanks to mr Don Crane, Aviation Heritage Museum Bull Creek Western Australia for measuring the Percival Proctor Mk. III.