From http://www.auckland-airport.co.nz/NewsHistory/aviators.php?gull
The first Percival Gull, built in 1932, was considered highly advanced when it first appeared. Its sleek looks contrasted with the biplanes typical of the period. Jean Batten’s three seater version, of which there were only 19, was built in 1935 and is now hanging behind you. It cost her 1750 pounds sterling, “every penny I owned”.
The monoplane was constructed of wood and fabric and has a wingspan of 11.02 metres and a length of 7.6 metres. It made many record breaking flights until war broke out in 1939 when it was requisitioned by the Royal Air Force as a communication aircraft bearing the designation AX866.
Percival Aircraft, designers and manufacturers of the Gull, (later to become the Hunting Group) bought the plane in 1946 at the end of the war. The Company used it only intermittently, so in April 1961 the Group presented it to the Shuttleworth Trust to join their collection of historical aircraft.
The Gull was flown occasionally on public display days until it required major restoration. This was sponsored by the Hunting Group in association with the Shuttleworth Trust and began in 1987. It was a massive task to make this historic aircraft completely airworthy again.
Auckland International Airport Limited borrowed the plane to be displayed in The International Terminal during 1990 for New Zealand’s 150th anniversary celebrations which coincided with the 25th anniversary of the opening of Auckland International Airport.
After its return to England, the Airport Company negotiated to purchase the Percival Gull G-ADPR. The last time it flew was over Auckland in 1996 to mark the sixtieth anniversary of Jean Batten’s record breaking flight between England and Auckland.
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