Parnall Imp – where?

Thanks Oracal, Very interesting observations.

George H, I don’t disagree with your sentiments.

With a set of approved plans and LAA approval, anyone who wanted to could build a replica in the UK. Look at what people have done with the Chilton DW 1 and Comper Swift.

I do think series production – including kits would be a step too far for business. Take a look at what has [not] happened since Nipper Kits and Components was sold several years ago.

Slightly ‘off’ topic, Barry Smith could interest no one to buy his Acro Advanced with its wonderful fully injected VW derived engine, that is other than an American who wanted to use an Lycoming iO 360! Mind you, I once gave a set of Swift plans to another American who also intended to use an iO 360. 

To the airframe you require to add an engine. People forget that the first Pobjoy engine achieved 67.5 hp in 1928 with just 2479 cc and a compression ration of just 5.6:1, for a weight of 115 lbs. Ricardo and Pobjoy saw eye to eye on the advantages (and disadvantages) of a small,  high revving radial aero engine. Others who have produced radial aero engines have not taken full advantage of modern materials, improved fuels, and electronic ignition to do the same.

Plenty of 1920/30 candidates to consider. Oh, and the CLA 4 plans exist too! 

It makes you wonder whether there is a market for putting some of these old planes back into production. 

I spoke with the CAA about this very topic some years ago and they were actually very enthusiastic about the prospect. 

Any business would need a proper business plan, market research and investment. Hurdles that most of the early pioneers will have faced.

AA – correct. I think Alan Parnall was the last to have any business link, and he died c.1968. You will perhaps know they are building two Spitfire aircraft in memory of Dennis Parnall, Alan’s brother. There is, or was, work underway to build a non-flying Panther replica.

Thank you, Oracal. An incomplete answer is better than none at all! However, is it correct to say that whilst there is a blood connection between the individuals behind the companies,  there is no corporate connection between Parnall Aircraft Ltd./Parnall (Yate) Ltd at Yate and Parnall Group Ltd. at Truro?

Parnall was bought out/absorbed by various other companies after WW 2. The same thing happened several times more. It’s very confusing to give a straight answer “AA’. The major part of the factor was demolished -c.1980s? 

Mark Parnall, the CEO of the Parnall Group, is a member of the family which can be traced back to the 16th century. Other than family photos there is little else left of the former Parnall companies. Mark is very passionate about his heritage.

George Parnall had three sons, Mark is the eldest John, and grandson of George.

Sorry, not a complete answer… 
 

Is it known when Parnall left Yate and is there a connection between the company which operated there and the operation now located in Cornwall?

Indeed, Arm Waver. I’m almost getting nostalgic!

Loving this thread.
It is just the sort of thing the forum used to be all about.

George H  – very helpful, thank you.

Moth Minor – great find! I was able to go to my own copy of that image which has a slightly better resolution. It is possible the two gentlemen standing beside the lorry are FO D A Craik and FO M G R Harris.

I used to live near Chipping Sodbury and was invited into the Whirlpool factory assembly area by a friend who worked there.

A senior manager showed me into the hangars and apparently they now have preservation order on them.

Many of the buildings near the railway line side are original.

There is also a memorial to those killed during the war when German bombers attacked the site.

Did you know there’s a photo of the squadron including FO Orchard in a 1932 edition of Flight, Oracal?

https://archive.org/details/Flight_International_Magazine_1932-06-10-pd…

Too be honest MM, I was not aware of that until this morning. I notice one building that would fit the bill, however, it would require the one attached to it to have been a later addition. I’m now awaiting a reply from the CS local history society.

As to putting names to faces… I have now copies of Arthur’s logbook that includes 58 squadron personnel he flew with. He also visited Yate during October 1933 in K2659. 

That was another thing I’d looked at, Oracal, what with Parnall’s having a Chipping Sodbury phone number!

Thank you all for looking and giving your thought. Always good to hear another view point.

Regarding Bournemouth. I had discounted the building suggested as to me there appear a number of differences in construction of the side-wall and roof.

I agree on the company name ‘Fryer’, but the other information is new to me. Certainly worth looking into.

My own latest efforts centre on Chipping Sodbury. It’s just down the road from Yate and the building may possibly be in the same compound as Parnall. 

Hi Oracal,

I’ve tried tweaking the photo a bit and I think the name on the back of the lorry reads Fryer. On searching that I found that Fryer’s Ltd was a large garage/transport concern covering the entire west of England by the 1930s. I wonder if the photo was taken at one of their depots as they had taken on the Chevrolet brand by that time. 

Is it possible that the photo was taken at Christchurch. The lettering on the building starts CH and the photo in the link below shows a white building to the left which appears to have two rows of windows and the front appears to have an extension on the ground floor on the airfield side which looks similar to the building behind the Imp in the photo. 

CHRISTCHURCH AIRFIELD (hampshireairfields.co.uk)

NewQldSpitty,

If only! After George Parnall’s second son died, all of George’s papers were put to the torch in a grand bonfire. 

A few years ago, on the behalf of the Parnall Foundation, I searched for original company papers. Apart from those in the NA at Kew and engineering reports at FAST, there is very little else. Four original Panther drawings (rudder) do exist.

There is an album of images at Bristol library – mainly aircraft, taken by Parnall to record their product. I also have (from the family) a larger collection of Parnall company images that deal with their other products. 
 

Ken Wixey’s book about Parnall is the best general source of information, however, researching the surviving documents has highlighted errors. The idea that the Imp continued to fly after being sold in August 1933 is one of them.

I do believe I know what became of the Parnall Peto N182… but that investigation is still ongoing. 

Maybe try the Parnall company.
https://parnall.net/aircraft/