Parnall Scout
title: "Parnall Scout" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["parnall-aircraft", "1910s-british-fighter-aircraft", "single-engined-tractor-aircraft", "biplanes", "aircraft-first-flown-in-1916"] topic_path: "geography/united-kingdom" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parnall_Scout" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox aircraft"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Parnall Scout |
| image | Parnall Scout.jpg |
| caption | The Parnall Scout nearing completion in 1916. |
| aircraft_type | Fighter |
| national_origin | United Kingdom |
| manufacturer | Parnall |
| designer | A. Camden-Pratt |
| number_built | 1 |
| first_flight | 1916 |
| :: |
| name = Parnall Scout | logo = | logo_size = | image = Parnall Scout.jpg | alt = | caption = The Parnall Scout nearing completion in 1916. | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = Fighter | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = United Kingdom | manufacturer = Parnall | design_group = | designer = A. Camden-Pratt | builder = | issuer = | status = | owners = | primary_user = | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = 1 | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = | introduction = | retired = | first_flight = 1916 | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = The Parnall Scout, unofficially nicknamed the Zeppelin Chaser, was a British fighter prototype of the 1910s. It was the first fighter design from Parnall.
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)
|ref= |prime units?=imp met(ric) first for all others. You MUST choose a format, or no specifications will show -- General characteristics
|crew=one |upper span ft=44 |lower span ft=40 |wing area sqft=516 |fuel capacity=36 Impgal Powerplant
|eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=Sunbeam Maori II |eng1 type=V-12 water-cooled piston engine |eng1 hp=250
|prop blade number=two |prop name=wooden propeller
Performance
|max speed mph=113.5 |max speed note=at sealevel
::101.5 mph at 10,000 ft ; Armament
|guns= 1x fixed 0.303 in Lewis machine-gun offset to starboard at 45° elevation.
Notes
References
References
- Wixey, Kenneth E.. (1990). "Parnall Aircraft since 1914". Putnam & Company Ltd..
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