~ 1940’s Givejoy Toys Skybirds 1:72 Scale Model Percival Mew Gull ~
The Percival Mew Gull was a British racing aircraft of the 1930s. It was a small, single-engine, single-seat, low-wing monoplane of wooden construction, normally powered by a six-cylinder de Havilland Gipsy Six piston engine. During its racing career it set many records and was considered a significant, efficient design, one that eventually reached a top speed of 265 mph (425 km/h) on a modest 205 hp (153 kW) in its final 1939 form. A modern-day observer has characterised the Mew Gull as “the Holy Grail of British air racing”. During the second half of the 1930s, Mew Gulls were dominant in air-racing in the UK and consistently recorded the fastest times until the outbreak of war stopped all civilian flying in late 1939.
~ G-AFAA ~
The Type E.3H (the so-called “Super”-Mew) closely resembled the earlier machines from the outside, though its wing and tail were slightly smaller. It was internally a completely new design. Only one was built, powered from the outset by a Gipsy Six Series II. It replaced G-AEKL as Edgar Percival’s personal mount and in the 1937 King’s Cup air race he flew it to a third-place finish. It continued to be raced by Percival through 1937–1939.
On loan for propeller trials at Hatfield during the war, G-AFAA was written off in a landing accident by a de Havilland pilot. The remains of this aircraft were burned along with those of the first G-ACND at a Percival Aircraft garden fete at Luton Airport immediately after the war.
~ Dimensions ~
The model has a length of 13cm (5 inches) and a wingspan of 15cm (6 inches).
~ Condition ~
The model is of wood construction, hand-painted and is nicely detailed.
It is in very good condition commensurate with age.
JA_3939129457
