View Full Version : Seen in passing from a tram
Rossian
14th Dec 2008, 18:42
Mornin' all. As I was passing Essendon on Tuesday on the excellent Melbourne tram system I caught a glimpse of a Percival piston Provost in what seemed to be early 1960s RAF Flying Training Command paint scheme. The glimpse wasn't long enough to get the reg (even if my aging eyesight could have coped). Anyone out there who knows who it belongs to, or how it came to be there?
The Ancient Mariner
Selfloading
14th Dec 2008, 19:07
Maybe this un
Photos: Commonwealth CA-25 Winjeel Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net (http://www.airliners.net/photo/Untitled/Commonwealth-CA-25-Winjeel/1391344&tbl=photo_info&photo_nr=55&sok=WHERE__%28place_%3D_%27Melbourne_-_Essendon_%28MEB_ESCSLASH_YMEN%29%27%29_&sort=_order_by_photo_id_DESC_&prev_id=1393508&next_id=1391336)
chimbu warrior
14th Dec 2008, 21:03
I recall reading that a bloke by the surname of Clark (I think) imported one a few years ago. IIRC, he had learned to fly in one in Rhodesia in the 60's.
I think he may have subsequently flown for QF.
A search of the CASA register reveals only 3 aircraft manufactured by Percival, none of them a Provost, so don't know what happened to it.
The Provost was almost a clone of the Winjeel, using an Alvis Leonides motor (same as the Twin Pioneer) instead of the R-985.
VH-XXX
14th Dec 2008, 22:34
I saw that there a couple of days ago when I went past. Thought it was a Winjeel from the passing glimpse that I managed to get. I moreso had my eyes on the 3 x Gulfstream's parked at Essendon however.
Rossian
15th Dec 2008, 11:20
As I commented to my wife who had first spotted it and drew it to my attention "No, I don't know but I know where I can find the answer" and as usual PPruners come up trumps. I think we can call that a wrap.
The Ancient Mariner
chimbu warrior: You say the Provost was almost a clone of the Winjeel.
Was it not the other way around ?
The Provost first flew in early 1950, I think the Winjeel entered service in the mid 1950's sometime, but did it fly earlier than 1950 ?
VH-XXX
16th Dec 2008, 04:59
Is there any link whatsoever between the Provost discussed here and the Provost jet come Strikemaster?
ForkTailedDrKiller
16th Dec 2008, 05:23
Is there any link whatsoever between the Provost discussed here and the Provost jet come Strikemaster?
Hmmmmm! The name "Provost" ?
Dr :8
chimbu warrior
16th Dec 2008, 06:00
The Provost first flew in early 1950, I think the Winjeel entered service in the mid 1950's sometime, but did it fly earlier than 1950 ?
Unfortunately I have but limited knowledge of both types, so, as you suggest, the Winnie might be the clone.
4Greens
16th Dec 2008, 06:16
Provost entered service in 1951, Winjeel in 1955. Did time on the Provost.
VH-XXX
16th Dec 2008, 06:44
Nice try Doc, but I was referring to the JET Provost.......
I guess I answered that myself by comparing the pics. Definitely from the same stable.
http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/middle/4/4/3/1391344.jpg
http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/5/3/3/0682335.jpg
http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/4/3/6/0729634.jpg
Karl Bamforth
16th Dec 2008, 09:43
Just to complete the set, a pic of a piston provosthttp://www.flightglobal.com/airspace/photos/skizzydo/images/23406/piston-provost-at-brimpton-airfield-fly-in.jpg