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Aircraft |
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A selection
of pictures of aircraft seen at Croydon throughout it's
history |
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Percival |
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The company was originally
formed as Percival Aircraft Co. in Gravesend in 1933 by Edgar
Percival to produce his own designs. Restructured in 1936, it
became Percival Aircraft Ltd, and moved to Luton Airport. The
company became part of the Hunting Group in 1944. Percival, who
had resigned from the board to serve in the RAFVR during the
war sold his remaining interest in the company at that point.
Changing its name to Hunting Percival Aircraft in 1954 and finally
to Hunting Aircraft in 1957. In 1960 the company was taken over
by the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC), itself formed earlier
that same year through the merger of the Bristol Aeroplane Company,
English Electric and Vickers-Armstrongs. BAC later became part
of British Aerospace, now BAE Systems. |
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Percival Proctor |
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(above) c1950. not long after hand over to civil use.
A posed lineup of from left to right (aircraft) 'Percival Proctor',
'DH Rapide', two 'Airspeed Consul's' and another 'DH Rapide'. |
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(above) a typical busy scene in the mid
50's. A 'Miles Aerovan' awaiting repairs. A group of ex RAF aircraft
awaiting conversion for civilian use (two'Percival Proctor's,
four 'DH Tiger Moth's and a 'DH Dominie). A 'Percival Proctor
and a 'DH Rapide' already converted and civilian registered.
An 'Auster Aiglet Trainer' from the flying school being prepared
(middle right). And a group of 'C47 Dakota's' already converted
for the new B.O.A.C. parked out on the grass and another being
worked on among the hangers. |
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(below) The well known film star Tyrone
Powers kept his ex RAF 'Percival Proctor at Croydon. It was stored,
maintained and serviced by Willis Hole Aviation. |
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(above) a typical day in the 'B Hangar'
area. A 'Proctor' and a 'Piper L4' outside, and a 'Dakota' and
an 'Anson' just inside. |
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(above) a newly registered ex RAF 'Percival Proctor' sits
in front of a hanger full and overflowing outside of 'Tigers'
awaiting to be rebuilt. |
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(above) a rebuilt 'Percival Proctor' awaiting
it's radio installation. |
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(above) 'Percival Proctor' of 'Vendair',
at Croydon 1955 |
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(below) a Percival P28 Proctor I of Air Taxis in June 1946. |
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Percival Prentice |
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(below) Prentice. 1955 |
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Percival Provost |
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(below) newly delivered ex RAF 'Percival
Provost' Trainers, awaiting delivery to the Burmese Airforce. |
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Percival Prince |
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(below) A newly delivered ex RAF 'Airspeed Oxford'', awaits
it's turn, while a 'Percival P50 Prince' belonging to 'Sperry's'
is left out in the cold because of hanger space shortage. |
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(above) 'Percival P50 Prince' of Sperrys
at Croydon mid 1950's. |
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(below) three pictures at different times of 'Percival
P50 Prince' G-AWOT. mid 1950's |
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Percival P6 |
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(above and below)
'Percival P6', before and after undercarriage collapse. Mid 1950's |
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Percival Mew
Gull |
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(above
and below) 'Percival
Mew Gull'. mid 1950's |
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Percival Vega
Gull |
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