The Parnall Plover was designed as a naval fighter to replace the Nieuport Nightjar on the Royal Navy’s aircraft carriers. Three prototypes were ordered, with the second being fitted with floats and the third to an improved design. Ten production aircraft were ordered in 1923 (with one of these to be a floatplane) for evaluation against the competing Fairey Flycatcher. Operations onboard aircraft carriers showed that the Flycatcher was more popular and easier to maintain. The Plovers were removed from service by the end of 1924 and replaced by Flycatchers.
One of the ex-naval Plovers was registered on the civil register as G-EBON and was flown in the 1919 King’s Cup Air Race. Unfortunately it retired with fuel flow problems.
The second Parnall Plover prototype (NI61), powered by a 436 hp Bristol Jupiter IV, in amphibious configuration on Yate aerodrome, circa, 1923.The second prototype Parnall Plover (NI61), powered by a Bristol Jupiter IV, in amphibious configuration at the MAEE, Felixstowe, The second prototype Parnall Plover (NI61) at FelixstoweThe second Parnall Plover prototype (NI61)The third prototype Parnall Plover (NI62), which was built in landplane form. Powered by a 385 hp Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar engine.The third prototype Parnall Plover, N162, powered by a 385 hp Armstrong Siddeley JaguarThe first production Plover (N9608) at Yate aerodrome in 1923Production Parnall Plover, N9702Parnall Plover N9610. The only production Plover in amphibious configurationParnall Plover N9702Parnall Plover N9708Parnall Plover N9610. The only production Plover in amphibious configurationParnall Plover N9610. The only production Plover in amphibious configurationParnall Plover N9610. The only production Plover in amphibious configurationThe civil Parnall Plover, G-EBON (ex-N9705), which flew in the 1926 King’s Cup Race, piloted by Sir C J Quintin BrandParnall Plover 3-View Drawing
