“GULL" AIRCRAFT
SUCCESS OF AUSTRALIAN DESIGNER (From Our Own Correspondent) LONDON. October 13 Mr E. W. Percival, Australian-born chief of the Percival company, has reason for satisfaction with the achievements of his aircraft during the past twelve months. In addition to Miss Batten's South Atlantic adventure Mrs Mollison set new records in each direction between England and Cape Town in a Gull, and Mr Percival himself flew a Gull to Africa and back in less than fifteen hours, while the Vega Gull —a development of the Gull —has carried Scott and Guthrie to victory in the race to Johannesburg, and Mrs Beryl Markham in safety westward across the North Atlantic Ocean. Opportunely, an official report of landing trials conducted by the Directorate of Scientific Research with a Gull monoplane is just to hand. Value of Landing Flaps The Gull and Vega Gull monoplanes are equipped with flaps which are lowered by the pilot to increase lift and head resistance at low flying speeds, and. thereby, to steepen landing glide and reduce landing speed. The official report states that the flaps reduce the Gull's stalling speed, when fully laden, from 62 to 551 miles an hour, and Increase the best gliding angle by 11 degrees. Tests were conducted to determine the reduction in length of landing run secured by the flaps. Important improvement was noted. Horizontal distance covered between clearing a 50ft. obstacle and touching the ground was reduced by 31 per cent, with the flaps working, and the subsequent run along the grou-'.d was reduced by 36 per cent.
The report adds that the flaps are “very convenient and light to operate,” and continues: “In this respect they are the best yet tested at the Royal Aircraft Establishment.” The report also comments on the excellent lines of the Gull, which is notable for low head resistance and beautiful streamlining, stating that, judged on performance, it is one of the cleanest light aeroplanes test at the R.A.E., in spite of its fixed undercarriage
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Bibliographic details
Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20586, 27 November 1936, Page 5
Word Count
332“GULL" AIRCRAFT Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20586, 27 November 1936, Page 5
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