Percival Mew Gull
The Mew Gull was conceived by Edgard Percival as a racing version of the Gull. 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.
Legendary Spitfire test pilot Alex Henshaw purchased G-AEXF in 1937 and won the Folkestone Trophy with the fastest time and a speed of 338 kph (210 mph). He entered it in the 1937 Kings Cup alongside two other Mew Gulls, G-AFAA and G-AEKL. In 1938 he won the Kings Cup with the fastest speed of 380 kph (236 mph). Then Henshaw organised his out-and-home Cape record. With G-AEXF he took off on February 5th 1939 and returned from Cape Town 4 days 10 hrs and 16 min later, a record that stood over 60 years. This Mew Gull spent WW 2 hidden in France and after the war was overhauled to win the 1955 Kings Cup. Although rebuilt many times and considered a replica, G-AEXF still flies to this day in the UK. Since 2013 it is part of the Shuttleworth Collection. The late Alex Henshaw comissioned a company to manufacture a static replica Mew Gull, representing the Cape configuration of G-AEXF. This replica is now on display at the RAF Museum Hendon. |
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