Edgar Percival flying the prototype EP.9 G-AOFU in its initial form near Stapleford Tawney.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival E.P.9 / Prospector - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1955

Edgar Percival in prototype G-AOFU is taking off at full throttle with elevator neutral, but the tail is already rising by itself. Features on the prototype only were the two clamshell rear doors closing along a straight line at the rear and the elevator mass balance weights on arms which can be seen projecting forward under the tailplane.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival E.P.9 / Prospector - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1955

Early flights of G-AOFU indicated a need for increased fin area which was provided by an elegant curved fin fillet. In this view the cutaway wing root leading edge and adjacent small roof window combine to remove the blind area found on most high wing aeroplanes when turning.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival E.P.9 / Prospector - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1955

After its first flight on 27.8.56 ZK-BDP c/n 22 was demonstrated to the press in company with the prototype G-AOFU at Stapleford Tawney. On ZK-BDP the additional internal space provided by the curved production-type door is apparent from the greater distance behind the door's lower fixing

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival E.P.9 / Prospector - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1955

G-43-4 c/n 25 with the rear door removed and flaps down makes a slow flypast to demonstrate the dropping of straw bales. It was sold as G-APCT to Bahamas Helicopters (UK) Ltd in July 1957 and operated for several years in Libya before finally being disposed of as EC-ASO.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival E.P.9 / Prospector - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1955

VH-DAI c/n 28 in Airesearch Exploration titles at Parafield airport, Adelaide, on 8.3.70. The main rear cabin windows have been blanked out.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival E.P.9 / Prospector - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1955

G-APIA c/n 33 and G-APIB c/n 34 are seen In the red colours of Skyspread whose pilots flew them out to Australia in 10.57. There they became VH-FBY and VH-FBZ respectively.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival E.P.9 / Prospector - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1955

The Army purchased two examples of the EP.9 for evaluation purposes, XM797 c/n 38 and XM819 c/n 39. After being civilianised as G-ARTU, c/n 38 was later repainted in its former colours as XM797 and was seen as such at Elstree on 27.4.69.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival E.P.9 / Prospector - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1955

G-APWX c/n 41 was the first LAC Prospector with the 295 hp Lycoming GO-480-G1A6 engine and 3-blade Hartzell c/s propeller. The large rear door windows were fitted for use in locust control in Africa.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival E.P.9 / Prospector - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1955

G-APWZ c/n 42 wearing Crop Culture (Sudan) Ltd titles 21.9.60 at Lympne.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival E.P.9 / Prospector - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1955

The Army version of the EP.9 was able to carry supply containers up to 500 lbs (on overload) under each wing which could be airdropped, as seen here on XM797.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival E.P.9 / Prospector - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1955

In early 1958 c/n 29 G-AOZO was used by L Marmol of ADS (Aerial) Ltd to carry out trials at Ostersund on Swedish military-type skis.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival E.P.9 / Prospector - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1955

G-APBF c/n 26 seen wearing Ernst Lund KG titles before delivery to West Germany in 11.57 where it became D-EDUV to replace the crashed c/n 23 G-AOZY. Eight months later it was reduced to parts after an accident near Schiphol in the Netherlands.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival E.P.9 / Prospector - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1955

Third production EP.9 G-AOZY c/n 23, previously G-43-2, flies over with its spray bars still emitting moisture after a demonstration spray run. Shortly after it departed to Germany 4.57 for Ernst Lund KG and in the following month was destroyed in a spraying accident.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival E.P.9 / Prospector - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1955

G-AOFU had some production-type modifications made before sale to Air Ads Ltd including replacement of the balance weights by elevator tip balances and of the clamshell doors by a single door hinged on the right side and here seen open.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival E.P.9 / Prospector - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1955

G-AOFU remained the only EP.9 with a straight-line contour on the rear door. Seen here before going to the Sudan it has spray bars fitted and the final standard three-blade propeller which went with the GO-480-G1A6 engine.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival E.P.9 / Prospector - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1955

G-APCS c/n 24 parked out with its port leg supported by a beam during a wheel removal at Biggin Hill c.1961.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival E.P.9 / Prospector - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1955

G-APBR c/n 28, ex G-43-7, while still with Edgar Percival Aircraft awaiting sale, is fitted out with spray bars under the wings and a fan-driven pump under the nose. This allowed a 90-foot wide swath to be sprayed from a 170 gallon hopper in the fuselage.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival E.P.9 / Prospector - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1955

Green/white G-AOZO at Blackbushe 11.71 with a 295 hp Lycoming and 3-blade c/s prop.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival E.P.9 / Prospector - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1955

C/n 38 was operated by G R Moore Airwork Ltd at Staverton after being civilianised as G-ARTU. The colour scheme is navy blue and white.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival E.P.9 / Prospector - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1955

Prospector 2 G-ARDG c/n 47 with 410 hp Cheetah X radial gets airborne at Farnborough in 1960.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival E.P.9 / Prospector - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1955

C/n 33 as VH-FBY with a modified cowling and stub exhausts.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival E.P.9 / Prospector - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1955

G-APLP c/n 35 was used by Crop Culture of Bembridge after its CofA 31.3.58 and is seen with a duster venturi below the fuselage hopper, which is also visible through the cabin window. In 7.59 it reverted to Lancashire Aircraft at Blackpool but on 15.7.59 it force-landed on the beach, turned over and was submerged by the tide.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival E.P.9 / Prospector - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1955

While the Cheetah improved performance it destroyed the important forward view for spraying.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival E.P.9 / Prospector - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1955

The other ex-Army machine XM819 c/n 39 became D-ELSA in 2.62. Shown here after returning to the UK as G-ARTV, it is seen to have unusual long underside exhausts.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival E.P.9 / Prospector - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1955

G-43-7 c/n 28 heads a line of nine aircraft at Stapleford Tawney in February 1957 awaiting sale. Behind it, in order are G-43-6, -2, -5, -4, -3, -8, -1 and (presumably) G-AOFU. G-43-7 was flown to Australia in 9.57 and became VH-SSV, later VH-DAI and is currently preserved at Wodonga, Victoria.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival E.P.9 / Prospector - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1955

G-APCT c/n 25 was another Bahamas/World Wide Helicopters machine awaiting disposal at Biggin Hill alongside c/n 24.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival E.P.9 / Prospector - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1955

The first production EP.9, G-43-1 c/n 21, showing the curved rear door with right side hinge fitted to all production aircraft. The overalled engineers crowding around the nose on the port side suggest engine problems and may explain why c/n 22 flew before it.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival E.P.9 / Prospector - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1955

C/n 25 was sold to Spain in 1962 becoming EC-ASO. It is shown picketed out at Cuatro Vientos in 10.76 when it had clearly been the target of vandals and it deteriorated thereafter.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival E.P.9 / Prospector - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1955

VH-SSX c/n 27 was stored in the garden of a house in Tintinara, SA 7.3.70 following fire damage. The aperture for loading the hopper is visible in the cabin top.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival E.P.9 / Prospector - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1955

G-APXW c/n 43 was dismantled in the open at Ford, Sussex in 10.71. It was later rebuilt and is one of the three airframes held by the Museum of Army Flying for eventual display.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival E.P.9 / Prospector - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1955