The Parnall Panther - Aircraft Overview

Today we take a look at the Parnall Panther, a little known but successful carrier-based aircraft developed near the end of WW1.
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Recommended reading:
Parnall Aircraft since 1914 (Putnam Aviation Series) - amzn.to/3R3Tmtf
British Naval Aircraft since 1912 (Putnam Aeronautical Books) - amzn.to/3G6aVmk
World War I Seaplane and Aircraft Carriers (New Vanguard) - amzn.to/3GpxPp3

[@RexsHangar]

F.A.Q Section Q: Do you take aircraft requests? A: I have a list of aircraft I plan to cover, but feel free to add to it with suggestions:) Q: Why do you use imperial measurements for some videos, and metric for others? A: I do this based on country of manufacture. Imperial measurements for Britain and the U.S, metric for the rest of the world, but I include text in my videos that convert it for both. Q: Will you include video footage in your videos, or just photos? A: Video footage is very expensive to licence, if I can find footage in the public domain I will try to use it, but a lot of it is hoarded by licencing studies (British Pathe, Periscope films etc). In the future I may be able to afford clips :) Q: Why do you sometimes feature images/screenshots from flight simulators? A: Sometimes there are not a lot of photos available for certain aircraft, so I substitute this with digital images that are as accurate as possible.

[@90lancaster]

I am mildly amused by the thought that the hole in the planes wing means unlike a lot of other biplanes with the wing mounted above the pilot they get no weather protection. But then a lot of others have the wing forward of the pilot so those would have the same problem. But an actual hole in the wing is still amusing to me.

[@gregmuon]

Dunne flying wings. Nobody ever talks about them.

[@snarnok]

Fairey Seafox - I'm curious to know why the observer's cockpit was enclosed, but the pilot's was open. Also the Avro Rota - the RAF's licence built version of the Cierva C.30 used to calibrate radar.

[@MrArgus11111]

I want to see a transcript of the argument that caused the Admiralty to cancel the contract so so so much

[@derek6579]

Are you suggesting a brown envelope may been involved! Egad, sir! 😂

[@uingaeoc3905]

Erm - the Armistice.

[@firstcynic92]

An excellent example of the meaning of the phrase 'you have to walk before you can run.'

[@UncleJoeLITE]

Yes, certainly not without merit.

[@lafeelabriel]

And crawl before you can walk.

[@lafeelabriel]

Sad to say this is the first I've heard of this interesting plane. Certainly deserves a bigger place in history than it's been given so far, given how much it helped the RN, the USN, and IJN(AF) get their feet under them in carrier ops.

[@sski]

Thank you for posting this video. It surfaced a memory from my childhood. Understand I'm 58 years old. When I was around 4-5 years old, and a huge airplane lover because my father was in the USAF and I was surrounded by airplanes 24/7/365, I had a small cheap light green plastic airplane that I used to carry around like it was grown out my hand. It was THAT airplane, the Parnell Panther. It was like some 'toy' you get out of a gumball dispenser. And it was my favorite for the longest time until I started building models. Thanks for jogging this old dudes brain. I appreciate it.

[@ronjon7942]

That is a great story! I have a similar memory. Thanks for sharing.

[@neighbor-j-4737]

Mine was an ME262 from a hospital gift shop, as a toddler. Began my love for aviation.

[@geigertec5921]

My great great grandfather flew in one of these. Still have the photos.

[@jimdavis8391]

Did he ever get over the experience? 😅

[@ronjon7942]

Take pictures of your photos! Send em to Rex for a part II!

[@geigertec5921]

@@ronjon7942 Yeah, I was just lying.

[@neilhough7125]

Photograph labelled 'Sopwitn pup being lainched from HMS Repulseis actually a One and a Half Strutter.

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

It does look like a Sopwith 1½ Strutter. Very interesting to see photograph of an aircraft being launched on top of a gun.

[@keithmoore5306]

oh i bet the thought of the possibility of having to bail out from the cockpit of this one gave the pilot a whole bunch of warm and fuzzy feelings!!

[@UncleJoeLITE]

A factor increased by whether he is wearing, or is even carrying, a parachute I'd guess.

[@keithmoore5306]

@@UncleJoeLITEeven without a parachute having to squeeze through that upper wing opening would give new meaning to perilous!!

[@charlesfaure1189]

Not a pup at 6:48. That's a 1-1/2 Strutter, I think.

[@Simon_Nonymous]

It certainly is.

[@milgeekmedia]

'Plum squashing'.... I just spat my tea out! :D

[@mehere8-32]

For Sopwith Pup read Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter 2 seater. Great video.

[@chrismoule7242]

6:40 a 1½ Strutter methinks.

[@AndrewGivens]

Great stuff Rex - an unknown aeroplane to me and the strike rate on the videos is worth a toot. Thanks for introducing me to this innovative and important aircraft. BTW, your P-40 two-parter is legendary and I can't wait for the new deep dives.

[@Sssaaatttuuurrrnnn]

The fuselage and cover for the radial engine are very sleek for a plane designed during WW1. Looks very ahead of its time in some ways. The hump in which the pilot and passenger sit is also rather distinctive. Neat little plane.

[@sandwich5344]

guess, this is a first - but that doesn't matter to me... What DOES matter - is that there's a new Rex's hangar video out, and im going to watch it RIGHT NOW!

[@markthursfield9996]

"Fleet fighter flight"... Well done with that tongue twister!

[@BHuang92]

This aircraft looks more like a camel then Sopwith!

[@mollybell5779]

I just want to say how much I enjoy Rex's Hangar. Really interesting stuff, and well-presented. Thank you so much for sharing your excellent work.

[@UncleJoeLITE]

Canberra Saturday nightlife or Rex's Hangar? Here I am! 💛

[@drmoss_ca]

The "Sopwith Pup" at 6:39 is actually a 1½ Strutter.

[@brianspendelow840]

Thank you for posting this fascinating video on a plane I have never heard of before. In fact the only aircraft made by Parnall is the Peto. Intended as a reconnaissance aircraft for submarines, it was no where near as successful as the Yokosuka E14Y, allied reporting name Glen. A comparison of them with other aircraft carried by subs would be very interesting.

[@paulgregg722]

Don’t forget the Parnall Elf!

[@gyrene_asea4133]

Thank you for the high quality of your researched product. Very, very, absorbing.

[@aerogray2500]

Nice vid! Interesting to hear about these more obscure types.

[@Robert_Kawalec]

Keep up a good work Rex - your content is ver well made. Bravo, amazing dedication.

[@chilternsroamer872]

Great video about an important plane ... that I had never heard of. Well done. Keep up the good work!

[@donlawrence1428]

A very good study of an obscure but important aircraft. Thank you.

[@user-pi4wj7bm4z]

Your research is outstanding, if not at times very humorous. I'm behind but slowly catching up. 😅 Keep up the great work. 😊

[@thestrangegreenman]

As an American who's never heard the term before, i spit my coffee all over the table laughing at "plum-squashing." No casualties except some discolored mail.

[@Simon_Nonymous]

Better than a discoloured male!

[@billmasson5313]

I had not heard of this aircraft before--indeed, I'd never heard of Parnall. I'll have a hard time remembering this as anything but the "Parnall Plumsquasher" now😂 Thank you for your excellent & detailed content! Keep up the fantastic work!👍

[@AndrewGivens]

Parnall's most well-known product - certainly their only namable one - to those of us with an interest in naval affairs of this period, was the Peto . It was a small collapsible floatplane which could be stored folded in the tube hangar of the unique submarine M2, then be unfurled on the forward deck-mounted catapult rail. It seems the Peto itself was a success as an aeroplane . Sadly, the M2 was not a success as an aircraft carrier, because a lack of failsafe meant she could be left open to the sea when diving; so she still lies on the seabed off Dorset.

[@ivanconnolly7332]

The Irish champion of "Home rule"Charles Stewart Parnell pronounced "Parnell " as Parnall.

[@russellnixon9981]

Enjoyed watching this as I;v never herd of this type before. .

[@andrewrobinson5837]

Not a first, at least a top 5. Can you tell I've been hanging out for a new vid? And what a beauty!!!!!

[@Tristancustombike]

My name is Sample. I live in NZ. We come from the Simple Clan and it was amazing to see a lord simple in this video. Thank you it really made my father and my day :)

[@2down4up]

Can wait for the long format videos!!!!!

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

👍Very interesting video, thank you.

[@jasonz7788]

aweosme thanks rex

[@The_Modeling_Underdog]

Ah, the Master of Sempill... As crooked as the Panther's fuselage when folded and equally fascinating. Thanks for sharing, Rex.

[@davidbrennan660]

An interesting Airframe... thanks.

[@giuseppetiso531]

Fun coincidence, I discovered this plane last week while looking at aircraft to add to my dungeons and dragons campaign. Keep up the good work!

[@RemusKingOfRome]

Good video.

[@cjhenry41]

Rex rocks !

[@korale174]

Lots of great info on an obscure aircraft. love you work. can I point out that the aircraft shown at 6:47 is not a Sopwith pup but a Sopwith 1 1/2 strutter ?

[@moparyota]

Certainly looked liked a Strutter

[@user-uv6yl2co3p]

hi, we are 40% way through constructing a replica of this Panther aircraft here at Parnall Aircraft ,- we have all sorts of plans, photos and an original propeller! Still hoping to find other bits out there to help make it as authentic as possible. Great summary ,thankyou. The

[@stephenremington8448]

An interesting plane. One name I always remember is the Parnell Pixie, just the name, probably from the Civil Aircraft Markings book?

[@jimdavis8391]

Parnalls I believe were an iron foundry north of Bristol, Yate I think. They'd have had little or no experience of building aircraft in 1914.

[@wbertie2604]

But lots of experience in WW2 building turrets branded as Fraser Nash.

[@1bert719]

When you hear about the lesser aircraft designers like Parnell I'm always reminded of the between wars "Biggles" books where John's would often have fictional aircraft instead of real ones.

[@Simon_Nonymous]

Plumsquashing! Great to see how the design involved a lot of TLC for a crew putting down onto the water actually surviving; built in the days when engines didn't just look like a roulette wheel, but could be as random as one. Question - the built up hump doesn't seem necessary or functional to my eyes, so is there any evidence as to why they built that hump on, instead of keeping the fuselage like a 1 1/2 Strutter for example?

[@greenseaships]

That's a 1 1/2 Strutter being launched at 6:44 BTW

[@guaporeturns9472]

Awesome

[@davidmcintyre8145]

You should do the Parnall Peto next

[@jehoiakimelidoronila5450]

The fuselage of the plane being built in the hangar at 0:26 looks like it's a WW2-era flying bomber engine nacelle but upside down

[@williamroberts1819]

I know Windsock Data file from the UK is one reference for this aircraft. Probably still lavailable too.

[@timwilkinsongs]

Another excellent video. BTW "similarily" is similar to "similar".

[@slome815]

If I'm not wrong that is Admiral Togo (the one from the battle of tsushima ) at 12:14.

[@johnusher1921]

Perhaps you could add the Nash & Thompson 'FN' gun turrets to your 'To Do' list, as they were part of the Parnall group?

[@solarflare623]

Are you going to do a video on the air war on the eastern front in ww1?

[@mbryson2899]

"Plum squashing..." I felt that! __

[@garypaulstratton]

at 6:40, is that not a 1 1/2 Strutter rather than Pup?

[@kittyhawk9707]

Pups where used ..but yes I think you are correct on that one

[@grifter3680]

What a cute lil guy!

[@drstevenrey]

Not a looker, but maybe she's nice to you. I only knew the Parnall Elf and that is a fabulous aircraft.

[@kahumike]

I had to do a double take at this one; back in the 80s there was a series of rapes in Auckland, the perpetrator being known as the "Parnell Panther".

[@maciek_k.cichon]

Isn't that a Strutter rather than Pup on 6:41?

[@CFG-eb3my]

surprised you have anything to do with facebook, nice job on Parnall

[@jean-francoislemieux5509]

quite an intersting way of folding an airplane...

[@idaho_girl]

I want to know more about the hydro-vanes. What were their purpose? Were they used much on these or other aircraft? When were they first used?

[@uingaeoc3905]

On the Panther they were for ditching along with the float bags. I think Curtiss was the first pioneer to use them as his first plane took off from water.

[@johna1160]

From Rex's description, sounds like they provide a smooth LEVEL landing on not-too-rough seas. Cutting the water rather than ramming into it with the wheel assembly. If I was a Brit, I'd declare it a very clever bit of kit!

[@davefellhoelter1343]

I am Surprised the Cow Catcher very low on her landing gear on the float design did not end in a Rapid belly up or Pilot Under? Swim! I must wounder if it was a Water Ski type design?

[@chpet1655]

dang a 230 HP rotary ? well that's a surprise. Imagine a Camel or Fokker Triplane with that much Horse Power !

[@guidor.4161]

What is the reason for covering a plywood fuselage with fabric? instead of simply varnishing it?

[@henkormel5610]

A too far forward center of gavity flies bad. A too far back center of gravity flies very short.

[@huwzebediahthomas9193]

You'd think they'd get weight distribution correct very early on. Ah well. Looking at it, the undercarriage assemblies look all wrong. Should be vertical when flying flat and level, not pointing backwards.

[@leonardorodrigues827]

I could make a video of the fairey barracuda, a plane that pilots said was impossible to control.

[@sandarbian3947]

"...screwed and glued...." lol

[@monostripezebras]

Was the Parnall Peto allready covered?

[@167curly]

The Panther was a quite clean design for that period, though a rather chubby one.

[@nishbrown]

10:52 - what rudder?? 😏

[@steveshoemaker6347]

So sorry i am a day late but youtube posted this fine video for me 1 day late.....Excellent video my friend and thanks from an Old F-4 Shoe 🇺🇸

[@wbertie2604]

Am I to take it that the term joystick was coined by a Panther pilot in an ironic way?

[@anlydaly5726]

It's like the great grandfather of float-planes

[@Farweasel]

Oh dear. I fear I'm regressing. I saw the header. Though 'This will be another interesting one I've never heard of'. THEN the trouble started. The tune running through my 'mind's ear' went ....... *Here it is the Parnel Panther, the rinky dink Panther, will it fly well who knows* 🙄

[@majorbloodnok6659]

I believe that there is/has been a project to build a replica in the UK.

[@jimdavis8391]

I doubt the Ukrainians would want them.

[@glmm2001]

You forgot to mention the two aircraft ordered by the Spanish Navy

[@johnathansaegal3156]

If only we knew in the 20s that selling airplane tech to Japan, especially for naval purposes, would come back to bite us two decades later.

[@janlindtner305]

👍👍👍

[@yetanotherjohn]

does anyone make a model kit for a Parnall Panther?

[@ttnyny]

Not currently, as far as I can tell. The Esoteric line did make one in the past, but I can't find an example. A Polish company currently has a 1:72 Parnall Plover kit and another of my grandfather's designs, the A.D. Navyplane, which was co-designed with R.J. Mitchell before my grandfather joined Parnall. Model plans for the Panther have been issued in the Windsock series.

[@ivanconnolly7332]

Same engine and appearance as the Snipe.

[@kevanhubbard9673]

A bit like the Armstrong Whitworth Ape without the amusing name!

[@peterwright217]

👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@slehar]

Hydroplanes? Tell us more!

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

*_"plum squashing"_* 🤭🤭🤭

[@MM22966]

So the RN supplied carrier aircraft and advice to the Imperials Japanese navy. Can't see a problem with that, nosirree.

[@CFG-eb3my]

08 May 24

[@311Bob]

Yt is sure pushing people to prime with ads every 1m 35s. will you lose revenue if viewers go to prime as ads won't be shown on your videos? Me I'm not going to prime since they blocked ad blockers. Its a principal thing now.still tune in to your channel though.

[@ttnyny]

My grandfather designed this airplane.

[@kittyhawk9707]

Looks like a Two Seater Camel

[@rikter22]

''Screwed and glued'' mercy me!

[@That70sGuitarist]

I'm afraid you misidentified an aircraft in this video. The "Sopwith Pup taking off" *isn't* a Sopwith Pup, it's a Sopwith 1 and 1/2 Strutter. You can clearly see two occupants, with the pilot sitting under the wing, as well as the unusual "w" shaped cabane struts that gave this particular Sopwith product its nickname. The Pup was a smaller, single seat aircraft with four vertical cabane struts. Its nickname came from pilots and groundcrews saying, "It looks like the Strutter had a pup."

[@pliashmuldba]

I think. Denmark or rather a German airfield in what is now southern Jutland ( what they stole in 1864 ) was the first place to be bombed by planes launching from a aircraft carrier. I have also heard, when the British bombed Copenhagen, that was the first town undergoing a naval missile ( rocket ) attack, which is ok, but sadly they did a piss poor job and that cesspool still exist.

[@SubtractZero]

That thing should be called "Camel" rather than "Panther". I mean, just look at those massive water-knockers they stuck on the top of that aircraft.

[@crazypetec-130fe7]

Since the Camel name was taken by Sopwith, let's call it the Dromedary.