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{{Short description|British single-seat naval fighter aircraft}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}
{{infobox Aircraft
{{Use British English|date=January 2017}}
{|{{Infobox aircraft begin
|name = Plover
|name = Plover
|image = Parnell Plover 02.jpg
|caption =
}}{{Infobox aircraft type
|type = Fighter
|type = Fighter
|national origin=United Kingdom
|manufacturer = [[Parnall|Parnall & Co]]
|manufacturer = [[Parnall|Parnall & Co]]
|image = Image:Parnell Plover 02.jpg
|caption =
|designer = [[Harold Bolas]]
|designer = [[Harold Bolas]]
|first flight = 1922
|first flight = 1922
|introduced = 1923
|introduced = 1923
|retired = 1924
|retired = 1924
|primary user = [[Royal Air Force]]
|primary user = [[Royal Air Force]]
|more users =
|more users =
|produced =
|produced =
|number built = 13
|number built = 13
|variants with their own articles = <!-- variants OF the topic type -->
|variants with their own articles = <!-- variants OF the topic type -->
}}
}}
|}
The '''Parnall Plover''' was a [[United Kingdom|British]] single seat naval fighter aircraft of the 1920s. Designed and built by [[Parnall|George Parnall & Co.]] for use off the [[Royal Navy]]'s [[aircraft carrier]]s, it was ordered into small scale production, but after extensive evaluation, the [[Fairey Flycatcher]] was preferred for large scale service.
The '''Parnall Plover''' was a British single-seat naval fighter aircraft of the 1920s. Designed and built by [[Parnall|George Parnall & Co.]] for use on [[Royal Navy]] [[aircraft carrier]]s, it was ordered into small-scale production but after extensive evaluation, the [[Fairey Flycatcher]] was preferred for large-scale service.
==Development and design==
The Parnall Plover was designed by [[Harold Bolas]], chief designer of the reformed [[Parnall|George Parnall & Co.]] to meet the requirements of the British [[Air Ministry]] [[List of Air Ministry Specifications|Specification 6/22]] for a single seat fighter aircraft to replace the [[Nieuport Nightjar]], powered by either a [[Bristol Jupiter]] or [[Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar]] engine capable of being operated both from the decks of aircraft carriers or as a [[floatplane]]. The Plover was a single bay [[biplane]] of wood and fabric construction, fitted with full span [[Flap (aircraft)|flaps]], and could be fitted either with a conventional wheeled [[undercarriage]], or, as an alternative floats (with wheels protruding through the bottom of the floats) could be used to allow amphibious operation. The first prototype flew in late 1922, powered by a Bristol Jupiter. Two more prototypes followed, with the second a floatplane, also powered by a Jupiter, and the third a landplane powered by a Jaguar engine <ref name="mason fighter"> {{Cite book|author=Mason, Francis K|title=The British Fighter since 1912|publisher=Naval Institite Press|year=1992|isbn= ISBN 1-55750-082-7}}</Ref>.


==Development and design==
The three prototypes proved to be similar in performance to the competing [[Fairey Flycatcher]], with small orders being placed for both types to allow more detailed operational evaluation. Ten Plovers were therefore ordered <ref name="Thetford naval">{{Cite book |author=Thetford, Owen|title=British Naval Aircraft since 1912 |Edition =Fourth Edition |publisher=Putnam |location= London|year=1994 |id= ISBN 0 85177 861 5}}</Ref>.
The Parnall Plover was designed by [[Harold Bolas]], chief designer of the reformed [[Parnall|George Parnall & Co.]] to meet the requirements of the British [[Air Ministry]] [[List of Air Ministry Specifications|Specification 6/22]] for a single-seat fighter aircraft. The successful aircraft was to replace the [[Nieuport Nightjar]] and be powered by a [[Bristol Jupiter]] or [[Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar]] engine capable of being operated from aircraft carriers or as a [[floatplane]]. The Plover was a single-bay [[biplane]] of wood-and-fabric construction, fitted with full-span [[Flap (aircraft)|flaps]] and could be fitted with a conventional wheeled [[Landing gear|undercarriage]] or floats (with wheels protruding through the bottom of the floats). The first prototype flew in late 1922, powered by a Bristol Jupiter. Two more prototypes followed, with the second a floatplane, also powered by a Jupiter and the third a landplane powered by a Jaguar engine.<ref name="mason fighter">{{Cite book|author=Mason, Francis K. |title=The British Fighter since 1912|publisher=Naval Institute Press |year=1992 |isbn=1-55750-082-7}}</ref> The first two prototypes were inferior to the competing [[Fairey Flycatcher]], but the third prototype, to a substantially improved design, performed as well if not slightly better.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Willis |first=Matthew |date=2012 |title=The Flycatcher's Rival |url=https://navalairhistory.com/2012/05/13/the-flycatchers-rival/ |website=Naval Air History}}</ref> Small orders were placed for both types, including ten for the Plover, to allow more detailed operational evaluation.<ref name="Thetford naval">{{Cite book |author=Thetford, Owen|title=British Naval Aircraft since 1912 |edition =Fourth |publisher=Putnam |location= London|year=1994 |isbn= 0-85177-861-5}}</ref>


==Operational history==
==Operational history==
Six of the Plovers entered service with 403 and 404 Fleet Fighter Flights of the [[Royal Air Force]] in 1923, allowing the type to be evaluated in service against the Flycatcher, and the Nightjar, which both types were planned to replace. The Flycatcher was preferred, being a more popular aircraft to fly as well as being easier to rig <ref name="mason fighter"/>, replacing the Plover in 1924.
Six Plovers entered service with 403 and 404 Fleet Fighter Flights of the [[Royal Air Force]] in 1923, allowing the type to be evaluated in service against the Flycatcher and the Nightjar, which both types were planned to replace. The Flycatcher was preferred, being a more popular aircraft to fly as well as being easier to rig, replacing the Plover in 1924.<ref name="mason fighter"/> One aircraft was entered on the [[United Kingdom aircraft registration|civil register]] as ''G-EBON'' and was flown in the 1919 [[King's Cup Air Race]], the Plover retired from the race due to fuel flow problems.<ref>[http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/HistoricalMaterial/G-EBON.pdf United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority – Aircraft Register G-EBON]</ref> G-EBON crashed and was destroyed in January 1929.


==Operators==
==Operators==
;{{UK}}
;{{UK}}
*[[Royal Air Force]]
* [[Royal Air Force]]
* [[Royal Navy]] – operational evaluation


==Specifications (Plover) ==
==Specifications (Plover)==
{{aircraft specifications
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|plane or copter?=plane<!-- options: plane/copter -->
|jet or prop?=prop<!-- options: jet/prop/both/neither -->


{{Aircraft specs
|ref=The Complete Book of Fighters<ref name="complete fighters">{{cite book |last= Green|first= W |coauthors=Swanborough, G |title= The Complete Book of Fighters |edition= |year= 1994|publisher= Smithmark |isbn= 0-8317-3939-8}}</Ref>
|ref=The Complete Book of Fighters<ref name="complete fighters">{{cite book |last= Green|first= W |author2=Swanborough, G |title= The Complete Book of Fighters |year= 1994|publisher= Smithmark |isbn= 0-8317-3939-8}}</ref>

|prime units?=imp
|crew=One
<!--
|capacity=
General characteristics
|length main= 23 ft 0 in
-->
|length alt= 7.00 m
|crew=1
|span main= 29 ft 0 in
|length ft=23
|span alt= 8.84 m
|length in=0
|height main= 12 ft 0 in
|length note=
|height alt= 3.65 m
|span ft=29
|area main= 306 ft²
|span in=0
|area alt= 28.4 m²
|span note=
|height ft=12
|height in=0
|height note=
|wing area sqft=306
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil=
|airfoil=
|empty weight main= 2,035 lb
|empty weight lb=2035
|empty weight alt= 923 kg
|empty weight note=
|loaded weight main= 2,984 lb
|gross weight lb=2984
|loaded weight alt= 1,354 kg
|gross weight note=
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|max takeoff weight note=
|useful load alt=
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|max takeoff weight main=
|max takeoff weight alt=
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|more general=
<!--
Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=
|eng1 name=[[Bristol Jupiter]] III
|eng1 type=9-cylinder air-cooled radial pistone engine
|eng1 hp=436
|eng1 note=


|prop blade number=2
|engine (prop)= [[Bristol Jupiter]] III
|prop name=fixed-pitch propeller
|type of prop= [[radial engine]]
|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|number of props=1
|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|power main= 436 hp
|prop dia note=
|power alt= 325 kW
<!--
|power original=
Performance
-->
|max speed main= 123 knots
|max speed alt= 142 mph, 228 km/h
|max speed mph=142
|cruise speed main=
|max speed note=
|cruise speed alt=
|cruise speed mph=
|never exceed speed main=
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|range main=
|range alt=
|range miles=
|range note=
|ceiling main= 23,000 ft
|combat range miles=
|ceiling alt= 7,000 m
|combat range note=
|climb rate main=
|ferry range miles=
|climb rate alt=
|ferry range note=
|loading main= 9.75 lb/ft²
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|loading alt= 47.7 kg/m²
|ceiling ft=23000
|thrust/weight=<!-- a unitless ratio -->
|ceiling note=
|power/mass main= 0.15 hp/lb
|climb rate ftmin=
|power/mass alt= 0.24 kW/kg
|climb rate note=
|more performance=*'''Climb to 20,000 ft:''' 25 min 12 sec
|time to altitude={{cvt|20000|ft|0}} in 25 minutes 12 seconds
|lift to drag=
|wing loading lb/sqft=9.75
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/mass={{cvt|0.15|hp/lb}}
|more performance=
<!--
Armament
-->
|guns=2x fixed forward-firing [[.303 British|.303 in]] [[Vickers machine gun]]s
}}


|armament=* Two fixed forward firing [[.303 British|.303 in]] [[Vickers machine gun]]s

|avionics=

}}
==See also==
==See also==
{{aircontent
{{aircontent
<!-- include as many lines are appropriate. additional lines/entries with carriage return. -->
<!-- include as many lines are appropriate. additional lines/entries with carriage return. -->

|related=<!-- related developments -->
|related=<!-- related developments -->
|similar aircraft=

|similar aircraft=[[Fairey Flycatcher]]
* [[Fairey Flycatcher]]

|sequence=[[Parnall Panther|Panther]] - [[Parnall Puffin|Puffin]] - '''Plover''' - [[Parnall Possum|Possum]] - [[Parnall Pixie|Pixie]] - [[Parnall Perch|Perch]]

|lists=<!-- related lists -->
|lists=<!-- related lists -->

|see also=<!-- other relevant information -->
|see also=<!-- other relevant information -->


Line 110: Line 127:
==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}



==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category|Parnall Plover}}
[http://www.britishaircraft.co.uk/aircraftpage.php?ID=537 British Aircraft Directory]<br />
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070210193651/http://www.britishaircraft.co.uk/aircraftpage.php?ID=537 Parnall Plover] – British Aircraft Directory
[http://avia.russian.ee/air/england/parnall_plover.php Virtual Aircraft Museum]
* [https://navalairhistory.com/2012/05/13/the-flycatchers-rival/ The Flycatcher's Rival] – Naval Air History


{{Parnall aircraft}}
{{Parnall aircraft}}
{{aviation lists}}


[[Category:British fighter aircraft 1920-1929]]
[[Category:1920s British fighter aircraft]]
[[Category:Parnall aircraft|Plover]]
[[Category:Parnall aircraft|Plover]]
[[Category:Carrier-based aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Biplanes]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1922]]

Latest revision as of 20:21, 27 September 2023

Plover
Role Fighter
National origin United Kingdom
Manufacturer Parnall & Co
Designer Harold Bolas
First flight 1922
Introduction 1923
Retired 1924
Primary user Royal Air Force
Number built 13

The Parnall Plover was a British single-seat naval fighter aircraft of the 1920s. Designed and built by George Parnall & Co. for use on Royal Navy aircraft carriers, it was ordered into small-scale production but after extensive evaluation, the Fairey Flycatcher was preferred for large-scale service.

Development and design[edit]

The Parnall Plover was designed by Harold Bolas, chief designer of the reformed George Parnall & Co. to meet the requirements of the British Air Ministry Specification 6/22 for a single-seat fighter aircraft. The successful aircraft was to replace the Nieuport Nightjar and be powered by a Bristol Jupiter or Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar engine capable of being operated from aircraft carriers or as a floatplane. The Plover was a single-bay biplane of wood-and-fabric construction, fitted with full-span flaps and could be fitted with a conventional wheeled undercarriage or floats (with wheels protruding through the bottom of the floats). The first prototype flew in late 1922, powered by a Bristol Jupiter. Two more prototypes followed, with the second a floatplane, also powered by a Jupiter and the third a landplane powered by a Jaguar engine.[1] The first two prototypes were inferior to the competing Fairey Flycatcher, but the third prototype, to a substantially improved design, performed as well if not slightly better.[2] Small orders were placed for both types, including ten for the Plover, to allow more detailed operational evaluation.[3]

Operational history[edit]

Six Plovers entered service with 403 and 404 Fleet Fighter Flights of the Royal Air Force in 1923, allowing the type to be evaluated in service against the Flycatcher and the Nightjar, which both types were planned to replace. The Flycatcher was preferred, being a more popular aircraft to fly as well as being easier to rig, replacing the Plover in 1924.[1] One aircraft was entered on the civil register as G-EBON and was flown in the 1919 King's Cup Air Race, the Plover retired from the race due to fuel flow problems.[4] G-EBON crashed and was destroyed in January 1929.

Operators[edit]

 United Kingdom

Specifications (Plover)[edit]

Data from The Complete Book of Fighters[5]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 23 ft 0 in (7.01 m)
  • Wingspan: 29 ft 0 in (8.84 m)
  • Height: 12 ft 0 in (3.66 m)
  • Wing area: 306 sq ft (28.4 m2)
  • Empty weight: 2,035 lb (923 kg)
  • Gross weight: 2,984 lb (1,354 kg)
  • Powerplant: × Bristol Jupiter III 9-cylinder air-cooled radial pistone engine, 436 hp (325 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed fixed-pitch propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 142 mph (229 km/h, 123 kn)
  • Service ceiling: 23,000 ft (7,000 m)
  • Time to altitude: 20,000 ft (6,096 m) in 25 minutes 12 seconds
  • Wing loading: 9.75 lb/sq ft (47.6 kg/m2)
  • Power/mass: 0.15 hp/lb (0.25 kW/kg)

Armament

See also[edit]

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Mason, Francis K. (1992). The British Fighter since 1912. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-082-7.
  2. ^ Willis, Matthew (2012). "The Flycatcher's Rival". Naval Air History.
  3. ^ Thetford, Owen (1994). British Naval Aircraft since 1912 (Fourth ed.). London: Putnam. ISBN 0-85177-861-5.
  4. ^ United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority – Aircraft Register G-EBON
  5. ^ Green, W; Swanborough, G (1994). The Complete Book of Fighters. Smithmark. ISBN 0-8317-3939-8.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Parnall Plover.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Parnall_Plover&oldid=1177496994"