Parnall Scout

Parnall Scout

Picture - The Parnall Scout nearing completion in 1916.

Role: Fighter
National origin: United Kingdom
Manufacturer: Parnall
Designed by: A. Camden-Pratt
First flight: 1916
Number built: 1

The Parnall Scout, unofficially nicknamed the Zeppelin Chaser, was a British fighter prototype of the 1910s. It was the first fighter design from Parnall.

Development

On the designs of A. Camden-Pratt, Parnall began work on a single-seat anti-airship fighter aircraft in 1916, initially intended to meet an aircraft specification from the Admiralty. A large, wooden two-bay staggered biplane, it was finished and initially tested in late 1916.

Operational history

The Scout reportedly flew twice in late 1916 under Admiralty testing, however it was found to be heavy, slow and with few safety features. As such it was returned to Parnall in the same year and no further development progressed.

Specifications

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Wingspan: 44 ft 0 in (13.41 m)
Wing area: 516 ft² (47.94 m²)
Powerplant: 1 x— Sunbeam Maori 12-cylinder water-cooled engine, 260 hp (194 kW)

Performance

Maximum speed: 113 mph (182 km/h)

Armament

1 x .303 gun offset to starboard and at an upward angle of 45°

Green, William; Gordon Swanborough. The Complete Book of Fighters. Godalming, UK: Salamander Books. pp. 463.

Parnall Scout Pictures

More aircraft.

Source: WikiPedia