Beryl Markham's Vega Gull VP-KCC receives a final polish before leaving Gravesend for Abingdon and the start of her East-West solo Atlantic flight.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival Vega Gull / K.1 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1935

One of the first photographs of c/n K.20, the prototype Vega Gull, incorrectly painted as G-AEAD and with the original Gull Six style of fin and rudder. Correctly painted as G-AEAB for the Schlesinger race it then bore race no.7 and was leading the contest when, over three-quarters of the way to Johannesburg, it was damaged in a forced landing.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival Vega Gull / K.1 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1935

G-AEAB c/n К.20 taxying in with flaps still down after a landing by David Llewellyn who flew it in the Schlesinger race only a week after officially becoming its registered owner. The long pointed spinner is the result of the longer propshaft required by the variable-pitch propeller.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival Vega Gull / K.1 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1935

G-AEEM seen in standard guise and unnamed, presumably In 1936.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival Vega Gull / K.1 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1935

VP-KCC c/n K.34, with its name "The Messenger" on the cowling, being pushed out by Percival's Jack Lavender and his crew before Mrs Markham's solo Atlantic crossing to Canada. The prominent pointed spinner covers the hub of the variable pitch Hamilton Standard propeller of the Gipsy Six II which increased the rpm by 50 to 2,400 and the hp by 5 to 205 hp.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival Vega Gull / K.1 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1935

C/n K.36 is little known having apparently spent all of its life in Canada as CF-BAR. It is seen here in a cutting from a pre-war American magazine.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival Vega Gull / K.1 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1935

G-AEJJ c/n K.27 was flown pre-war as an air taxi by B.A.A.S. and then Impressed but it did not survive the war.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival Vega Gull / K.1 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1935

The second Vega Gull was G-AECF of the Hon William Drago Montagu. It was later sold to France and was lost during the war.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival Vega Gull / K.1 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1935

A later view of the prototype showing the correct registration G-AEAB applied and also the modified rudder shape with the straight hinge common to all later Vega Gulls.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival Vega Gull / K.1 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1935

"County of Monmouth" is generally assumed to be G-AEEM but although the name is visible here the registration is not. The photo was taken at Khartoum during a London - Cape flight by David Llewellyn, presumably the 5.37 attempt which was the only one to get that far unless in 2.37 he continued to Khartoum for repairs later.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival Vega Gull / K.1 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1935

C/n K.29 G-AEKE won both the 1936 King's Cup (as recorded on the cowling) and the Schlesinger race in which it was the only finisher. It was fitted with a DH Hamilton licence variable pitch propeller.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival Vega Gull / K.1 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1935