PERCIVAL PROCTOR -
Closely following the issue of Specification 20/38 for Percival
Vega Gulls in the communications role, Specification 26/38 called
for the Percival Vega Gull to be adapted to meet OR65 for an aircraft
equipped for radio or navigation training, and fitted with dual controls
for initial deck-landing instruction. Powered by the 205 hp Gipsy Queen
II (Gipsy Six Srs II in military guise), the new aircraft, named Percival Proctor,
was to have only one rear seat, instead of the Percival Vega Gull's two.
Production ordered without waiting for prototype testing, and following
variants built:
Percival Proctor I: Three-seat communications aircraft for RAF, first
flown October 8, 1939. Fitted with D/F loop for navigation equipment,
dual controls, and third seat in rear of cabin. Entered service early
1940, and 166 built, including 25 by F Hills & Sons. In 1940, one
aircraft fitted with racks for 16 x 20 Ib (9.08 kg) bombs as potential
'anti-invasion' light bomber. Six used by USAAF units in UK.
Percival Proctor IA: Version of Mk I for FAA use as radio trainer, with R/T operator
on swivel seat in rear of cabin, with radio equipment. Eighty-one delivered
in 1940.
Percival Proctor II: As- Mk IA, primarily for FAA, with R/T operator and equipment
alongside pilot to improve CG. Percival built 100, of which 34 to RAF,
and Hills built 100 for FAA (often called Percival Proctor IIA), of which four
to RAF. Two (at least) used by USAAF in UK, and 18 (or more) converted
to Mk III.
Percival Proctor III: Differed from Mks I and II in having no D/F loop, no nav
equipment and no dual controls. Percival modified a Mk II as a prototype
and Hills produced 437 Mk Ills, of which 20 used by USAAF in UK, a few
by FAA and one to RNZAF in November 1944. Series 1 was three-seat communications
version, some with radio and operator in rear cabin. Series 2 was two-seat
R/T trainer, with operator facing aft, alongside pilot.
Max speed, 170 mph (274 kmlh). Cruising speed, 155 mph (250 kmlh) at 6,000
ft (1,830 m). Range, 540 mis (865 kmlh). Empty weight, 2,180 Ib (989 kg).
Gross weight, 3,250 Ib (1,475 kg). Span, 39 ft 6 in (12.04 m). Length,
25 ft 10 in (7.87 m). Wing area, 197 sqft (18.3 m2).
Percival Proctor IV: Completely revised design, to Specification T.9/41, for which
name Preceptor initially proposed. Dual role, three-seat R/T trainer with
operator alongside pilot, or four-seat communications, with dual controls.
Increased overall dimensions. Two prototypes and six pre-production by
Percival; 250 by F Hills. First flight March 16, 1942, and deliveries
continued through end of war.
Max speed, 160 mph (257 kmlh). Cruising speed, 140 mph (225 kmlh) at 3,000
ft (914 m). Service ceiling, 14,000ft (4,267 m). Range, 500 mis (805 km).
Empty weight, 2,570 Ib (1,075 kg). Gross weight, 3,500 Ib (1,588 kg).
Span, 39 ft 6 in (12.04 m). Length, 28 ft 2 in (8.58 m). Wing area, 202
sqft (18.77 m2).
