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Percival Provost prototype
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Percival Provost prototype
Percival Provost prototype, Luton 21 May 1952
The Royal Air Force Museum is Britain's only national museum dedicated wholly to aviation
Media ID 639861
© Charles Brown Collection, Royal Air Force Museum
Postwar Prototypes Royal Air Force
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In this photograph, the Percival Provost prototype, registration number WG562, is seen taking to the skies above Luton on 21 May 1952. The Percival Provost was a twin-engine, two-seat advanced trainer aircraft designed and built by Percival Aircraft Company in Luton, Bedfordshire, England, for the Royal Air Force (RAF). The Percival Provost was a significant development in post-war RAF training, replacing the venerable Tiger Moth biplanes that had served as primary trainers since the 1930s. The Provost was designed to provide advanced training in navigation, instrument flying, and radio communication, making it an essential asset in preparing pilots for operational duties. The prototype, WG562, was the first of three pre-production Provosts built, with the first production model taking to the skies on 23 July 1952. The aircraft featured a number of innovative design features, including a cantilever wing and a retractable tricycle landing gear. The Provost was also notable for its use of a Rolls-Royce Dart Mk.2 engine, which provided improved performance and reliability over earlier trainers. This photograph captures a pivotal moment in the history of the Percival Provost, as the prototype takes to the air for the first time, marking the beginning of a successful and enduring relationship between the RAF and this advanced training aircraft. The Percival Provost went on to serve with the RAF until the late 1980s, making it a beloved and iconic part of post-war aviation history. Charles E. Brown captured this image for the Royal Air Force Museum, preserving a snapshot of aviation history that continues to inspire and fascinate aviation enthusiasts to this day. The Percival Provost prototype remains a testament to the ingenuity and innovation of British aircraft design and manufacturing in the post-war era.
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