We are currently engaged in a rebuild of The Parnall Panther ship aeroplane, an aircraft designed by Harold Bolas for Parnall & Sons, Bristol. This innovative aircraft was developed to fulfill a need by the Air Ministry for a reconnaissance vehicle to operate from the deck of a ship. It went into production towards the end of the First World War and subsequently proved beyond a doubt the concept of ship-launched aircraft, paving the way for today’s fleet of aircraft carriers. After the war, the aircraft was manufactured by the Bristol Airplane Company and a number of examples were exported overseas.
This ambitious project aims to create an authentic non-flying replica using all information available. Much of the original factory documentation has been lost, and there are no existing examples of the aircraft to work from. Parnall Engineering Advanced Limited is making use of the latest in CAD modelling techniques and profile-cutting technology to create an aeroplane that is as faithful (as is currently possible) to the original design.
The Panther was powered by the Bentley BR2 engine – a nine-cylinder rotary engine developing 230 hp at 1,300 rpm. This remarkable motor represented state-of-the-art technology for the time and was also used to power the Sopwith Snipe fighter aircraft. Complete engines and original parts are scarce, however, and Parnall are currently looking for anything that will contribute towards the power train.
To make this Project more authentic, Parnall are also looking to acquire any historic parts relating to the Bristol Airplane Company of this era or Parnall itself, as many of the parts were common to various aircraft including the Hamble Baby and other Parnall aircraft. If any such parts happen to be buried in your inventories, they could be very relevant to this historic rebuild of a Panther and it would be greatly appreciated if you could contact Mark Parnall at mark@parnall.net.
We are also looking for any documentation relating to the Panther build, including originals or copies of drawings and type plans, photographs or personal accounts relating to the Panther or to any of Parnall’s aircraft.
We’re breathing life into the aviation history that has sat at the heart of Parnall’s brand for so long and are excited about the journey ahead.
