PERCIVAL P.56 PROVOST

A low-wing monoplane with fixed undercarriage, with the crew seated side-by-side. The Provost served as a basic trainer of the Royal Air Force, designed in accordance with the RAF requirement issued in 1948. It was intended to replace an earlier Percival trainer, the Prentice. The plane took off for its maiden flight in 1950. 461 examples were produced between 1951 and 1956 and the Provost was introduced in the RAF in 1953.

The Provost proved a great improvement over its predecessor and had a long service lasting until 1960s. It was finally replaced with Jet Provost, based on the P.56.

Specifications (Provost T Mk 1)

wingspan: 34 ft 4 in (10.47 m)
length: 25 ft 5 in (7.75 m)
max. takeoff weight: 2,200 lb (998 kg)
max. speed: 120 kn, 138 mph (222 km/h)
ceiling: 15,800 ft (5,200 m)
range: 225 NM (445 km)
powerplant: four-cylinder, inline, de Havilland Gipsy Major 1C rated at 145 hp