Percival P56 Provost T.1

Designed by Percival Aircraft before it became part of the Hunting Group in 1954, the P56 Provost was developed as a successful contender for the replacement of the rather disappointing Percival Prentice then in service with the RAF as an ab initio trainer. A low wing monoplane of simple and robust all metal construction, it was designed to be suitable for day and night flying. The semi monocoque fuselage is provided with numerous access panels for ease of servicing and speedy replacement of damaged or unserviceable units.

In 1953 the Provost T Mk1 began to replace the Prentice in the RAF’s ab initio training role and continued in use for a further 18 years until replaced by the Jet Provost which completely revolutionised flying training.  Provosts also served with the air forces of Burma, Eire, Iraq, Muscat, Zimbabwe and Sudan and, on release by the RAF, many were purchased by the Hunting Group and refurbished to meet the demands of other foreign air forces.

About this aircraft

XF603 was acquired in 2001 from Kennet Aviation at Cranfield and has what appears at the outset to be a rather inappropriate camouflage paint scheme with RAF roundels. None of the RAF trainers sported this paint scheme but a number of Provosts were sold to Oman where they were used operationally, hence the camouflage. RAF roundels were required on the delivery flights from the UK to Oman thus justifying the apparent conundrum.

Specification