Percival

Q6 Petrel

The Percival Q6 was a twin engine, low-wing monoplane of wooden construction, powered by a pair of De Havilland Gipsy Six engines.  Originally designed as a civil transport aircraft, it was later utilised by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Navy (RN) as a communication platform.

The ‘Type Q’ was Percival Aircraft Company's first twin-engine aircraft and was constructed of wood, with a plywood and fabric covering. 

Initially, two versions were designed in the Q4 (a four-seat executive transport aircraft) and the Q6 (a six seat feeder-liner) although it was only the Q6 which actually saw production.

The first prototype (G-AEYE) flew for the first time from Luton Airport on 14th September 1937. Production commenced in 1938 with the first airframe being sold to Sir Phillip Sassoon, a leading politician of the day. The prototype was then followed by 26 production aircraft, a number of which were exported, including one aircraft to King Ghazi of Iraq, two aircraft to the Lithuanian Government and a further two aircraft to the Egyptian Government.

Civilian aircraft were subsequently impressed for use by the RAF during the Second World War and these were informally known as the Q6 Petrel, although this was never an official Air Ministry designation.'

Unusually, the type was built with either a fixed or retractable undercarriage. The fixed undercarriage featured a ‘trousered’ undercarriage leg beneath the engine nacelle. This was very similar in appearance to that of the De Havilland DH89 Dragon Rapide.  

Only four of the aircraft used the optional retractable undercarriage.