Percival Gull

The horizontal surfaces were also rounded, and tailplane incidence was adjustable in flight for trim; the elevators were mounted on a common shaft.

[1][4][5][6] Although Gull variants were powered by five different engines, these were all inverted inline air-cooled types driving two-bladed propellers, making for a neatly faired installation.

The glazed cabin joined smoothly into a raised dorsal fairing, and placed the pilot in front and two passenger seats, slightly staggered behind.

[1] The early models could be fitted with one of two 130 hp (97 kW) 4-cylinder engines, the Cirrus Hermes IV, or the de Havilland Gipsy Major.

Alternatively, for racing or for pilots desiring more power, the 160 hp (119 kW) Napier Javelin III 6-cylinder engine was an option.

The sole Gull Four Mk III (G-ADOE) was used by Blackburn Aircraft as a testbed for both the Cirrus Major Mks 1 and 2 engines.

[9][10] On 4 October 1933 Charles Kingsford Smith started a flight in a Gull Four (G-ACJV), from Lympne Aerodrome to Darwin, Australia, arriving on 10 December 1933, in a record 7 days, 4 hrs, 44 min.

Percival piloted a Gull Six (G-ADEP) from Gravesend to Oran (Algeria), returning to Croydon Airport on the same day, and was later awarded the Oswald Watt Gold Medal in recognition of this flight.

[10][11] On 4 May 1936 Amy Johnson, flying a Gull Six (G-ADZO), flew from Gravesend to Wingfield aerodrome, Cape Town and back to Croydon Airport in a record 7 days 22 hr 43min.

Blackburn Aircraft continued to use its Gull Four Mk III (G-ADOE), later re-engined with a Gipsy Major engine in private ownership.

Percival Gull aeroplane VH-ACM outside Connellan Airways hangar, Alice Springs (Mparntwe) , c1940s
D.2 Gull Four (G-ACGR) displayed in the Brussels War Museum in prewar colours and racing number as it was flown by Sir Philip Sassoon in the 1933 King's Cup Race. It has the early long canopy.
Jean Batten's record-breaking D.3 Gull Six in 1954, named Jean on its cowling
Percival Gull 3-view drawing from L'Aerophile Salon 1932