1938 Percival Vega Gull Aircraft Restoration
Donation protected
RESTORATION OF THE PERCIVAL VEGA GULL, A PART OF BRITISH HERITAGE
Post retirement, at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Gerald ‘Gerry’ Smith decided to take his passion of all thing’s aircraft and his admiration for the early days of pioneering aviation in Great Britain and fulfil a lifetimes dream.
With a full military career as an aircraft engineer, initially in the Royal Air Force, and later in the British Army, Gerry retired from the armed forces and moved into the civil aviation market, from here he has built a reputation for delivering major aircraft maintenance and delivering bespoke one-of-a-kind aircraft in support of the UK Government. Utilising the experience and expertise gained over a lifetime, his dream to restore a once beautiful aircraft is soon to come to fruition. Along with his brother Andrew, (with whom he operates a Classic British motorcycle racing team – Smith Brothers Racing) Gerry worked tirelessly to acquire a 1938 Percival Vega Gull (build number K98).
K98 is a British four-seater, single engine aircraft with low folding wings, it was built by Percival Aircraft Limited and is the ‘K- Series’ Vega Gull which was the developed version of the ‘D-series Gull. This series of aircraft has a highly effective and capable wooden airframe, the Vega Gull still compare very favourably and often surpasses modern designs.
K98 started its life in in the hands of a famous owner, Lord Richard Casey, who became 16th Governor-General of Australia, and indeed the first Australian born to hold the post. It was registered as VH-ACA. The aircraft being ordered directly from Mr Edgar Percival himself; Lord Casey spent the first of its years enjoying the aircraft’s luxuries and flying it personally around his constituency of Corio, in southern Australia
In 1939 the Australian Airforce impressed K98 into service as A32-2 for the Second World War, K98 undertook various missions as a communications aircraft during this time in support of the Allied cause. After the war, re registered as VH-BQA it saw service as an air taxi.
Sadly in 1959 the aircraft was badly damaged in a ground loop and taken out of service. K98 remained for several years at Mudgee Airfield, wrecked and open to the weather, the forward section of cockpit, engine, engine mounts, undercarriage and centre wing section remained, until it was finally purchased and stored in Brisbane.
Prior to Gerry deciding on K98, he had seen a Mew Gull and read about Alec Henshaw’s Cape Challenge race, this led him to discovering Percival aircraft and indeed wooden aircraft. Having spent a lifetime on metal military aircraft, it was a time for change, Gerry wanted to start looking at something new to develop, but it had to be British and undertaken in Britain. The Mew Gull was from the ‘golden age’, a great era for British aviation. Once exposed to Percival aircraft he was taken by the pre-war models, in particular the Vega Gull. This was practical, fast, and capable, even by modern standards. It had a record-breaking history, a nostalgic elegant look, and the ability to carry multiple passengers. Having spoken to various enthusiasts Gerry was put in touch with John Tregilgas who was rebuilding a wooden Percival Proctor in Essex, having gone to see him and the aircraft, he was hooked. John advised of a possible project in Australia and put him in touch with Leigh Giles.
After multiple emails and various phone calls later, both Gerry and Andrew were on a plane bound for Australia. Gerry and Andrew spent two weeks in Australia cataloguing and cleaning every part, they contracted a container, and loaded the Vega Gull into it, after boarding a ship, she returned to UK for the first time in 74 years, she was home. K98 arrived in UK on 19th October 2012 and was stored at Gerry’s home in East Grinstead, just south of London.
After a period in storage, the time, energy, and resource to restore the aircraft have now become available, Gerry has joined with likeminded and driven individuals who are highly skilled and proud of British Aviation. As a result, this team of enthusiastic professionals has taken on the responsibility of returning this piece of British aviation heritage to the sky.
Gerry has located and leased a facility and the team have moved K98 to await restoration. In preparation to start the project, various standalone and hand tools have been procured or donated to the cause. The project will commence summer 2021. Gerry met the team whilst working within the civil sector, they all loved the idea of rebuilding a British aviation icon. K98’s restoration team comprises various skill sets. In addition to Gerry two specialist aerospace technicians and a commercial contracts manger have taken on the project. Scott Hume and Joe Wilkinson have over 40 years combined technical aircraft manufacture, modification, and maintenance experience whilst Ryan Skerry provides over 10 years of contractual, commercial, and financial experience.
Both Scott and Joe began their careers maintaining UK MOD Helicopters at Fleetlands (now Standard Aero) in Gosport, in the later years they moved into the world of fixed-wing aircraft in which they perfected their trades and understanding of various specialist aircraft applications. Scott and Joe’s technical knowledge and understanding will allow for the restoration of one of the Britain’s last great heritages.
Ryan has worked with various major aerospace companies over the years and built a vast understanding of how to effectively manage, deliver and protect multiple high value projects within the industry, his understanding of both the financial design, manufacture and maintenance environments will be paramount to the success of this project.
The restoration of K98 is scheduled to start with the wing centre section, followed by the fuselage, then wings and finally the tail surfaces. The process of fitting out will run concurrently as required. As funds allow the main components such as engines and undercarriage will be sent to specialists in the relevant fields. (Please note if any specialists wish to help, please get in touch.)
John Tregilgas has supplied many original Percival Drawings, however in many cases they may need redrawing for clarity and are mainly from the military Percival Proctor variant. It is anticipated that an amount of reverse engineering will be required. This will be a Challenge to the project as sadly K98 is in a poor state after it's time in the open (help from volunteer; Draftsman would be extremely helpful).
Whilst initial investment has been obtained through personal means, the success of the project will require the support of the aviation loving public, the aviation community and British aviation heritage enthusiasts Gerry and the team request your support, both financially if possible and should you have a background in wooden aircraft production, technical drawing, willing helpers, and perhaps tools available for donation. Any Percival Vega Gull components are gratefully received, or if you can donate funds to the project, please contact us at the earliest convenience on the details listed below
To aid funding we have formed the “Percival Vega Club” for just £20 a year, you'll receive exclusive email updates on our progress as we bring K98 back to life. Every month, the team will update you on the progress of the restoration, answer technical questions and invite you to see the aircraft. When you join the Percival Vega Club, we'll send you a membership certificate signed by Gerry, you'll have access to periodic prize draws exclusively for members and of course, our exclusive merchandise.
Indeed, any financial contributors are urged to offer their assistance and help make the dream of returning K98 to former glory a reality. All contributors will automatically become ‘club’ members. If any patrons donate over £500.00, they will receive a special reward, once K98 is completed airworthy, the club will provide the benefactor with the unique opportunity to experience a flight in Edgar Percival's great flying machine, under our ‘arrive and fly’ scheme.
This scheme will entitle donators and family members to a one-time flight free of charge. Any donations lower than £500.00 will enter the patron into a draw. The first ten lucky ticket holders drawn will also receive a flight. Multiple donations will result in being put in for the following years draw.
Any tickets that don’t get drawn will receive either a wooden model of the aircraft, commemorative mug, poster or an original piece of K98’s airframe.
Finally, for voluntary support, tooling, and spares, please email: [email redacted]
As always thank you all for your belief in the project and your continued support.
Post retirement, at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Gerald ‘Gerry’ Smith decided to take his passion of all thing’s aircraft and his admiration for the early days of pioneering aviation in Great Britain and fulfil a lifetimes dream.
With a full military career as an aircraft engineer, initially in the Royal Air Force, and later in the British Army, Gerry retired from the armed forces and moved into the civil aviation market, from here he has built a reputation for delivering major aircraft maintenance and delivering bespoke one-of-a-kind aircraft in support of the UK Government. Utilising the experience and expertise gained over a lifetime, his dream to restore a once beautiful aircraft is soon to come to fruition. Along with his brother Andrew, (with whom he operates a Classic British motorcycle racing team – Smith Brothers Racing) Gerry worked tirelessly to acquire a 1938 Percival Vega Gull (build number K98).
K98 is a British four-seater, single engine aircraft with low folding wings, it was built by Percival Aircraft Limited and is the ‘K- Series’ Vega Gull which was the developed version of the ‘D-series Gull. This series of aircraft has a highly effective and capable wooden airframe, the Vega Gull still compare very favourably and often surpasses modern designs.
K98 started its life in in the hands of a famous owner, Lord Richard Casey, who became 16th Governor-General of Australia, and indeed the first Australian born to hold the post. It was registered as VH-ACA. The aircraft being ordered directly from Mr Edgar Percival himself; Lord Casey spent the first of its years enjoying the aircraft’s luxuries and flying it personally around his constituency of Corio, in southern Australia
In 1939 the Australian Airforce impressed K98 into service as A32-2 for the Second World War, K98 undertook various missions as a communications aircraft during this time in support of the Allied cause. After the war, re registered as VH-BQA it saw service as an air taxi.
Sadly in 1959 the aircraft was badly damaged in a ground loop and taken out of service. K98 remained for several years at Mudgee Airfield, wrecked and open to the weather, the forward section of cockpit, engine, engine mounts, undercarriage and centre wing section remained, until it was finally purchased and stored in Brisbane.
Prior to Gerry deciding on K98, he had seen a Mew Gull and read about Alec Henshaw’s Cape Challenge race, this led him to discovering Percival aircraft and indeed wooden aircraft. Having spent a lifetime on metal military aircraft, it was a time for change, Gerry wanted to start looking at something new to develop, but it had to be British and undertaken in Britain. The Mew Gull was from the ‘golden age’, a great era for British aviation. Once exposed to Percival aircraft he was taken by the pre-war models, in particular the Vega Gull. This was practical, fast, and capable, even by modern standards. It had a record-breaking history, a nostalgic elegant look, and the ability to carry multiple passengers. Having spoken to various enthusiasts Gerry was put in touch with John Tregilgas who was rebuilding a wooden Percival Proctor in Essex, having gone to see him and the aircraft, he was hooked. John advised of a possible project in Australia and put him in touch with Leigh Giles.
After multiple emails and various phone calls later, both Gerry and Andrew were on a plane bound for Australia. Gerry and Andrew spent two weeks in Australia cataloguing and cleaning every part, they contracted a container, and loaded the Vega Gull into it, after boarding a ship, she returned to UK for the first time in 74 years, she was home. K98 arrived in UK on 19th October 2012 and was stored at Gerry’s home in East Grinstead, just south of London.
After a period in storage, the time, energy, and resource to restore the aircraft have now become available, Gerry has joined with likeminded and driven individuals who are highly skilled and proud of British Aviation. As a result, this team of enthusiastic professionals has taken on the responsibility of returning this piece of British aviation heritage to the sky.
Gerry has located and leased a facility and the team have moved K98 to await restoration. In preparation to start the project, various standalone and hand tools have been procured or donated to the cause. The project will commence summer 2021. Gerry met the team whilst working within the civil sector, they all loved the idea of rebuilding a British aviation icon. K98’s restoration team comprises various skill sets. In addition to Gerry two specialist aerospace technicians and a commercial contracts manger have taken on the project. Scott Hume and Joe Wilkinson have over 40 years combined technical aircraft manufacture, modification, and maintenance experience whilst Ryan Skerry provides over 10 years of contractual, commercial, and financial experience.
Both Scott and Joe began their careers maintaining UK MOD Helicopters at Fleetlands (now Standard Aero) in Gosport, in the later years they moved into the world of fixed-wing aircraft in which they perfected their trades and understanding of various specialist aircraft applications. Scott and Joe’s technical knowledge and understanding will allow for the restoration of one of the Britain’s last great heritages.
Ryan has worked with various major aerospace companies over the years and built a vast understanding of how to effectively manage, deliver and protect multiple high value projects within the industry, his understanding of both the financial design, manufacture and maintenance environments will be paramount to the success of this project.
The restoration of K98 is scheduled to start with the wing centre section, followed by the fuselage, then wings and finally the tail surfaces. The process of fitting out will run concurrently as required. As funds allow the main components such as engines and undercarriage will be sent to specialists in the relevant fields. (Please note if any specialists wish to help, please get in touch.)
John Tregilgas has supplied many original Percival Drawings, however in many cases they may need redrawing for clarity and are mainly from the military Percival Proctor variant. It is anticipated that an amount of reverse engineering will be required. This will be a Challenge to the project as sadly K98 is in a poor state after it's time in the open (help from volunteer; Draftsman would be extremely helpful).
Whilst initial investment has been obtained through personal means, the success of the project will require the support of the aviation loving public, the aviation community and British aviation heritage enthusiasts Gerry and the team request your support, both financially if possible and should you have a background in wooden aircraft production, technical drawing, willing helpers, and perhaps tools available for donation. Any Percival Vega Gull components are gratefully received, or if you can donate funds to the project, please contact us at the earliest convenience on the details listed below
To aid funding we have formed the “Percival Vega Club” for just £20 a year, you'll receive exclusive email updates on our progress as we bring K98 back to life. Every month, the team will update you on the progress of the restoration, answer technical questions and invite you to see the aircraft. When you join the Percival Vega Club, we'll send you a membership certificate signed by Gerry, you'll have access to periodic prize draws exclusively for members and of course, our exclusive merchandise.
Indeed, any financial contributors are urged to offer their assistance and help make the dream of returning K98 to former glory a reality. All contributors will automatically become ‘club’ members. If any patrons donate over £500.00, they will receive a special reward, once K98 is completed airworthy, the club will provide the benefactor with the unique opportunity to experience a flight in Edgar Percival's great flying machine, under our ‘arrive and fly’ scheme.
This scheme will entitle donators and family members to a one-time flight free of charge. Any donations lower than £500.00 will enter the patron into a draw. The first ten lucky ticket holders drawn will also receive a flight. Multiple donations will result in being put in for the following years draw.
Any tickets that don’t get drawn will receive either a wooden model of the aircraft, commemorative mug, poster or an original piece of K98’s airframe.
Finally, for voluntary support, tooling, and spares, please email: [email redacted]
As always thank you all for your belief in the project and your continued support.
Fundraising team (4)
Ryan Skerry
Organizer
England
Gerry Smith
Beneficiary
Joe Wilkinson
Team member
Scott Hume
Team member