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Anyone interested in a Percival Prentice?

Tue Mar 17, 2009 10:58 pm

I need to unload on our Percival Prentice so she stays in better health. I would prefer a British Museum gets her, I have contacted RAF Cosford where she served for years. Waiting response, but would like to throw it out on the table for anyone here. Would accept all cash, or part cash, part trade.

Please let me know if anyone is interested.
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And heres some photo from her Golden years in England, during Flying Club years after release from RAF Cosford.

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Thanks
Dave

Wed Mar 18, 2009 2:36 am

How much are you asking and what kind of condition is she in?

-David

Wed Mar 18, 2009 3:07 am

Interesting. Like David says, details please?

Condition, airworthy(?) how long parked etc. and what you might want for her (donation, trade, Krugerands...)

The RAF Museum at Cosford is part of the RAF Museum organisation, if you don't get a satisfactory response from there (I'm sure you will) then go to Hendon.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percival_Prentice

Quirky type, with niche interest, but not the most sprightly performer. Yours is obviously in an approximation of 'Prototype' colours (hence the 'P in a ring').

No I don't want one. :) But good luck fining her a caring home. Even ugly aeroplanes need friends.

Wed Mar 18, 2009 8:20 pm

She is in good condition. No corrosion. I just replaced the wiring in the left wing. New Battery. Brakes have been changed to hydraulic from the original air brakes, but that was years prior to us having it. Right now shes needs MAGS overhauled, one keeps failing her check, and I have a source in Haywood, Ca. The brakes need to be reverse bled currently, which should be done this week. Prop AD is due. New interior ( Grey ) , I had plans to repaint the aircraft with a top coat of the original silver with yellow training stripes. She runs up just fine currently, even with the bad mag.

She really is a great aircraft, but we are a WWII flying museum, and she is postwar.

Asking price is very negotiable. You name it, make it fair, and if you want to trade a plane, or parts and acsh, that can be worked. Just really an additional aircraft sitting around currently that Id like someone to take care of.

Willing to pack in shipping container for those who intend on having it shipped somewhere ot overseas.

Please pass it along.

Dave

Wed Mar 18, 2009 8:55 pm

Not that I can even think about affording something......

But I am curious.

How many hours on the engine & when is the expected TBO

What type of construction is it ? Wood ? Metal frame covered with wood formers ? Wing constriuction.

Always had a soft spot for Gipsy powered stuff :D

Tks Dave

Wed Mar 18, 2009 9:01 pm

She is powered bby a Gypsy Queen 32, yes installed upside down and the prop spins backwards!

I will scan the logbook and put it in. The overhaul hours i dont know.

And the plane is all metal with fabric flight controls.

She is pretty much a Sherman Tank with wings! Solid single piece wing spar!

dave

Wed Mar 18, 2009 9:32 pm

pm sent

Wed Mar 18, 2009 11:15 pm

Photo from my collection taken around 92 at Santa Monica
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Thu Mar 19, 2009 7:04 am

Much more positive than expected, thanks.
noizeedave wrote:Please pass it along.

Post it up on Flypast Forum, it has a peculiarly ~ah~ British appeal. If you can't I can, let me know.

I think there were some done up to seven seaters (originally three-four) so it doesn't just look like a Winnebago with wings! ;)

Thu Mar 19, 2009 12:37 pm

noizeedave wrote:She is powered bby a Gypsy Queen 32

Much rarer than the common Gipsy Queen 32.
:wink:
Last edited by airnutz on Fri Mar 20, 2009 12:43 am, edited 1 time in total.

Thu Mar 19, 2009 11:56 pm

I wouldnt say Rare'r, well okay maybe, anything that runs upside down and spins a prop backwards producing 251 HP is rare!

I wonder if you'd consider that negative HP sice she spins backwards! :lol: j/k

Fri Mar 20, 2009 7:07 pm

Dave, I may have a lead for you in a day or two. I'm waiting to hear back from one of the principles. If they respond favorably, I'll post their website information here and PM you for direct contact information.

Fri Mar 20, 2009 8:12 pm

Hey thanks. Glad to hear some people are interested in helping me save her.

Dave

Fri Mar 20, 2009 11:36 pm

Just a reminder, Im looking for anyone who knows anyone or any museum that would be interested in owning this bird.
Preferably a British Museum or Canadian since they used them too.
I can be very easy going with price / parts or both.
As you know we own a B-25 and C-47. Parts could be a huge part of that $$$

Thanks again everyone for the tips today.

Sat Mar 21, 2009 3:47 am

noizeedave wrote:...Preferably a British Museum or Canadian since they used them too....

Canada? AFAIK they were only used by the British, apart from licence production in India, where the Indians used them.

...checks further...

Ahah!
The RCAF acquired one example in 1948 possibly for evaluation purposes. Few details of the type in RCAF service are available and it lasted only one year. The deHavilland Chipmunk eventually became the RCAF's standard elementary trainer.

http://rcaf.com/data/index.php?db_id=2& ... owstart=40
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