Balch, Adrian M. Hunting-Percival Pembroke, Prince & Sea Prince

Volume 145 of the "Warpaint" series. The "Pembroke" was the brainchild of Lord Brabazon who, towards the end of the Second World War, chaired a committee tasked with assessing the need for civilian aircraft after the end of hostilities and who recommended several specifications for civilian aircraft required to give Britain an edge in both domestic and export markets. Percival developed a twin-engined transport aircraft called the 'Merganser' in 1947. This was further developed and in 1950 the "Prince" was born, which was immediately bought by companies as there was nothing comparable on the market at the time. The Royal Navy quickly ordered the type as a communications aircraft and recognised the aircraft's potential as a navigation trainer. The extended nose for radar and other equipment was quickly recognised by Percival as suitable. Under the name "Sea Prince", the Royal Navy ordered three of the early short-nose variant as the "Sea Prince" C1 for communications, 41 of the T.1 version for navigation and anti-submarine warfare training and four C.2s as the transport version of the "Sea Prince" T1. The RAF, recognising this interest, eventually ordered 45 of this type, named "Pembroke", the last of which was completed in February 1958. The "Pembrokes" were used for light transport and communications duties and also served as pilot trainers and flying classrooms. Overseas, ten countries ordered the type for similar roles in their air forces in Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Sudan, Sweden, Rhodesia, Thailand and Zambia.