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Percival Prentice T 1
| Location: Coventry | In Service: |
| Manufacturer: Percival Aircraft Company Limited | Purpose: Three seat basic and navigational trainer |
|
Power Plant: One de Havilland Gipsy Queen engine |
Length: 31 ft. 3 in. |
| Construction: | Maximum speed: 143mph Range: 400 miles Service ceiling 13,600 ft Rate of climb: 653 ft./min Wing loading: Thrust/weight: Modest/Considerable! |
Armament: None carried
History: The Prentice was originally intended for a new powerplant to be developed by de Havilland. When the new, high-powered engine was cancelled the design was quickly revised to include the 250hp Gipsy Queen. 250hp in an aircraft with a 46ft wingspan and up to six seats returns somewhat sedate performance. It's often said that the Prentice doesn't so much climb as maintain altitude and wait for the earth to curve away from it. In its radio trainer form the Prentice carried a large, four-channel radio between the front and rear cockpits. Crew consisted of a pilot, instructor and trainee. With the radio removed the huge cockpit area allowed for four seats in the rear. It was not popular as a military aircraft - its long take-off run limited its area of operation, and its uninspiring spin-recovery characteristics produced anxious moments for instructors and pupils. The Classic Flight Prentice is a six-seat example. Thanks to Coventry's huge runway, the old girl's leisurely climb-out isn't a problem, and spin practice doesn't feature in the pleasure flying programme, so the military limitations don't get in the way. And that leaves a lovely, gentle flying experience with breathtaking views out of that vast cockpit bubble. If you've never Prenticed, you've never flown.
