Percival Merganser
| Percival P. 48 Merganser | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Type: | light transport aircraft |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| First flight: |
May 9, 1947 |
| Number of pieces: |
2 prototypes (1 flown) |
The Percival Merganser was a light civil transport aircraft of the British manufacturer Percival Aircraft Co .
History and construction
The Merganser was a twin-engine high-decker with a retractable nose wheel landing gear and completely planked with metal. It was designed for five people with the focus on the greatest possible comfort for the passengers. For this purpose, it was designed with high wings and nose wheel landing gear to give passengers the best possible view as well as easy boarding and loading.
After its construction was completed in November 1946, the fuselage was shipped by train and ferry to Paris to be shown at the aviation exhibition. At this point in time, however, the project was doomed to failure because de Havilland Gipsy Queen engines were intended to be used, but these or suitable replacements were no longer available. The first flight on May 9, 1947 and further test flights could only be carried out with engines borrowed from the Ministry of Supply . However, the extensive flight tests provided valuable data for the development of the Percival Prince and Percival Pembroke . The second prototype was only used for static testing and never flew.
variants
- P.48 Merganser, five- to eight-seat transport aircraft
- P.48A Merganser, planned seaplane variant
- P.48B Merganser, planned version with runners
- P.49 Merganser II, planned air measurement variant
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| crew | 2 |
| Passengers | 5 |
| length | 14.56 m |
| span | 12.40 m |
| height | 4.19 m |
| Wing area | 29.60 m² |
| Empty mass | 2409 kg |
| Max. Takeoff mass | 3318 kg |
| Cruising speed | 258 km / h |
| Top speed | 311 km / h |
| Service ceiling | 7310 m |
| Range | 1228 km |
| Engines | 2 × de Havilland Gipsy Queen 51 or 71 with 221 kW each |
See also
literature
- AJ Jackson: British Civil Aircraft 1919-1972. Volume III. Putnam, London 1988, ISBN 0-85177-818-6 .
Web links
Individual evidence
- ^ Percival Merganser , Flight , May 9, 1946, p. 459.
- ↑ Jackson 1988, p. 112.