Search
Close this search box.

Percival Pembroke

The Percival Pembroke is a British high-wing twin engined light transport aircraft.

The Pembroke was a development of the Percival Prince civil transport.

It had a longer wing to permit a higher fully laden weight.

The prototype flew on 21 November 1952.

Production was complete in early 1958.

It entered service with the Royal Air Force as the Percival Pembroke C.1 in 1953 to replace the Avro Anson for light transport duties.

As with other RAF transports, the passenger seats are rearward facing for improved safety.

Six were produced as the Pembroke C(PR).1 photographic reconnaissance aircraft.

These saw use by No. 81 Squadron RAF during the Malayan Emergency.

The RAF’s Pembrokes were modified to extend their lifespan in 1970.

The last unit to use them was No. 60 Squadron RAF based at RAF Wildenrath in Germany, these were withdrawn from use in 1988 and were replaced by the Hawker Siddeley Andover.

The Finnish Air Force operated two aircraft for aerial photography between 1956 and 1968, on behalf of the National Land Survey of Finland.

One of the aircraft was destroyed when it hit a snow wall during landing in 1965.

The other aircraft is currently stored at the Finnish Air Force Museum.

Variants

P.66 Pembroke C.1

Communications and transport variant for the RAF.

P.66 Pembroke C(PR).1

Photographic reconnaissance variant for the RAF.

P.66 Pembroke C.51

Export variant for Belgium.

P.66 Pembroke C.52

Export variant for Sweden.

Swedish military designation Tp 83.

P.66 Pembroke C.53

Export variant for Finland.

P.66 Pembroke C.54

Export variant for West Germany.

P.66 Pembroke C.55

Export variant for Sudan.

P.66 President

Civil transport version.

Specifications

Crew

2

Capacity

6–10 passengers

Length

46 ft 0 in (14.02 m)

Wingspan

64 ft 6 in (19.66 m)

Height

16 ft 1 in (4.90 m)

Wing area

400 sq ft (37 m2)

Aspect ratio

10.4:1

Airfoil

NACA 23017

Empty weight

8,969 lb (4,068 kg)

Gross weight

13,000 lb (5,897 kg)

Powerplant

2 × Alvis Leonides 127,

Nine-cylinder air-cooled radial engines,

540 hp (400 kW) each

Performance

Maximum speed

220 mph (350 km/h, 190 kn) at 2,000 ft (610 m)

Cruise speed

185 mph (298 km/h, 161 kn) at 10,000 ft (3,000 m) (weak mixture)

Range

1,030 mi (1,660 km, 900 nmi)

Service ceiling

22,000 ft (6,700 m)

Rate of climb

1,500 ft/min (7.6 m/s).

Share on facebook