Parnall Scout

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

Parnall Scout
The Parnall Scout nearing completion in 1916.
Role Fighter
National origin United Kingdom
Manufacturer Parnall
Designer A. Camden-Pratt
First flight 1916
Number built 1

Development

Parnall began work on a single-seat anti-airship fighter aircraft in 1916 based on the designs of A. Camden-Pratt, 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 unsafe. As such it was returned to Parnall in the same year and no further development progressed.

Specifications (Scout - estimated)

Data from [1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Upper wingspan: 44 ft (13 m)
  • Lower wingspan: 40 ft (12 m)
  • Wing area: 516 sq ft (47.9 m2)
  • Fuel capacity: 36 imp gal (164 l)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Sunbeam Maori II V-12 water-cooled piston engine, 250 hp (190 kW)
  • Propellers: two-bladed wooden propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 113.5 mph (182.7 km/h, 98.6 kn) at sealevel
101.5 mph (163 km/h) at 10,000 ft (3,048 m)

Armament

  • Guns: 1x fixed 0.303 in (8 mm) Lewis machine-gun offset to starboard at 45° elevation.

Notes
  1. Wixey, Kenneth E. (1990). Parnall Aircraft since 1914. London: Putnam & Company Ltd. ISBN 1-55750-930-1.
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References
  • Wixey, Kenneth E. (1990). Parnall Aircraft since 1914. London: Putnam & Company Ltd. ISBN 1-55750-930-1.

Further reading
  • Green, William; Gordon Swanborough. The Complete Book of Fighters. Godalming, UK: Salamander Books. p. 463.
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