Percival Prentice T.Mk 1 - первая попытка создать после Второй мировой войны учебно-тренировочный самолет базовой подготовки для британских ВВС. Этот VR230 был построен в Лутоне в 1948 году и проходил службу в 3-й летной школе в Фелтвелле до конца 1952 года.

Percival Prentice T.1.

CHARLES E. BROWN'S superb photograph depicts Percival Prentice VR318. This aircraft was later registered G-AOWF but it is doubtful if it was ever converted for full civil use.

Один из аргентинских самолетов Percival Prentice. Хорошо видна характерная форма крыла с приподнятыми законцовками.

The Percival Prentice Three-seat Primary Training Monoplane (D.H. Gipsy Queen engine).

The first of five prototypes of the Prentice - flown on 31 March 1946 - showing the original fin and rudder and flat wing-tips.

The first prototype, TV163, first flown on March 31, 1946.

Prentice TV172 was one of five prototype aircraft produced.

Percival Prentice TV172 was one of five prototype aircraft.

Prentice VN684 was one of 20 pre-production aircraft supplied to the RAF for trials from November 1947.

This photograph shows Bob Batt taking part in the Military Air Pageant at Old Warden on July 27, 1975.

The first of a 20-strong pre-production batch, in RAF all-yellow finish, showing upturned wing-tips and an interim fin and rudder.
Prentice VR190 was an early production aircraft.

Percival Prentice T.1.

Percival Prentices of the Flying Training School of the RAF College, Cranwell over local countryside early in 1949. The type replaced the College’s Tiger Moths and instruction on the Prentice commenced at Cranwell in September 1948.

The Prentice T Mk 1 was in service with the RAF by mid-1948, and early in 1949 the new monoplanes finally replaced venerable Tiger Moths at the RAF College, Cranwell, where these three examples were photographed.

Several series ahead of current British registrations, Prentice I, G-APHP, ex-VS757, is now at Stansted with a number of its contemporaries.

The Percival Prentice was not a success as a replacement for the classic Tiger Moth. VS252 'FBPU' was one of 14 that served with 16 RFS at Burnaston in the early 1950s.

The Percival Prentice T.1, this one operated by 22 FTS in 1951

Prentice VR229 used by 19 SFTS/FTS RAF College, Cranwell.

Rare bird in military colours these days is the once-familiar R.A.F. Training Command Percival Prentice three-seat basic trainer. The P.40 Prentice T. Mk. I is dressed in red top decking with white lettering indicating its use by the Fighter Test Squadron, A. & A.E.E., Boscombe Down, Hampshire. "Pilot Officer Donald Duck", painted on the engine panelling suggests a humorously aggressive spirit prevails at Boscombe.

Production Prentice VR210 was Registered G-AKLG for overseas demonstration.

Two photographs taken at Elstree, 1960-61.

The first Prentice ferry flight from Cosford to Southend on 27 April 1956, with G-AOKR passing the airship sheds at RAF Cardington. The photograph was taken by the author from an accompanying Prentice, holding the slick between his knees.

G-AOKR, one of the 149 Prentices which have recently been purchased by Aviation Traders and are now being ferried from Cosford to Southend.

Of more than 250 Prentices purchased by Freddie (now Sir Freddie) Laker's Aviation Traders Ltd, fewer than 20 were eventually sold in the civil market. G-AOLU (on photo) was operated by Maitland Air Charters Ltd.

Part of the Strathallan Collection on display - Prentice G-AOLU/VS356 (foreground) with Harvard IIB G-AZBN/FT391 behind it, then Magister G-AHUJ/R1914, Texan G-AZJD and Desford G-AGOS/VZ728, all of which are airworthy. On the extreme left is visiting Yak-11 G-AYAK. In the background is Hurricane IIB G-AWLW/”P3308"

Strathallan types, with Miles Magister G-AHUJ/R1914 in centre, parked outside the office and existing hangars at the start of a day

G-AOPO was sold to Belgium, where it was re-registered OO-OPO and used for banner towing - note the hook under the rudder.

Prentice I G-APIU is now in service with the Surrey Flying Club at Croydon and sports their well-known blue and yellow colour scheme.

Around 250 Percival Prentices were allotted for civil conversion but only about 30 actually received Certificates of Airworthiness, one of which was G-APJB.

G-APJE was furnished with seven seats as a demonstrator.

Another delivery satisfactorily completed by the author.

One Prentice was fitted with a 345 h.p. D. H. Gipsy Queen 70-2 engine driving a three-bladed propeller. Designated T.Mk 3, only one was built

Another variation of the tailplane was tried on Prentice VN684.

One of the prototype Prentices, TV166, was fitted with an experimental raised tailplane.

Prentices for Argentina coming off the line.

The famous Southend dump photographed by Flight in 1957. Some of the 252 obsolete RAF Prentices bought by Aviation Traders are seen in company with two Avro Tudors. Tudor 1 G-AGRI, minus wings, engines and rudder, languishes at the right of the picture. Most of the Prentices seen here were scrapped, although they were originally earmarked for civil conversion.

The end of the dream - with engines removed and civil registrations crudely applied for the delivery flights to Southend and Stansted, a group of Prentices await final scrapping.

"Where’s that ruddy aircraft marshaller?"