Taff and the Gull: Classic British racer visits Reno

Air Classics, Dec 2003

Compared to the Unlimiteds parked around it, the racer looked small - real small. Painted in a overall cream, its tightly cowled engine and spatted landing gear spoke of a time past. The aircraft is the historic Percival Mew Gull and its pilot/owner is Welshman Tony "Taff" Smith. "I thought that the Mew Gull would be a perfect visitor for the 40th anniversary race," said the affable Taff. "Plus, 1 have always wanted to go around the pylons!"

Taff is the owner of the Real Aeroplane Company which operates, besides the Gull, an all-black Hawker Hurricane and a pink Spitfire. Pink! Yes, that's right. This was a special color scheme formulated by the RAF for their reconnaissance aircraft, "At the right time of day and altitude," said Taff, "the plane almost disappears into the sky!" Currently, the Real Aeroplane Co. is finishing a restoration of a Hispano HA.1112-M1L which is scheduled to fly on Christmas Day.

Taff s aircraft, G-AEXF, was one of a small number of customized Mew Gulls built by Percival. Pilot Alex Henshaw (who would later go on to become a Supermarine Spitfire test pilot and accumulate over 5000-hr in the type and who is still quite active today) set numerous records in this plane but perhaps the most impressive is when he flew the plane from England to South Africa.. .and back! On 5 February 1939, Henshaw took off from Britain and on the 6th he landed at Wingfield Aerodrome, Capetown, after flying 5997.9-mi in 39-hr 25-min. After a rest of 27-hr, he was back in the air and returned to Britain in 39'hr 36-min. There was only an 11-min difference in time between outward and homeward legs. One must remember this was long before any form of nav aids!

"I view the Mew Gull as a national treasure," said Taff. However, out on the course the Mew Gull whipped around the pylons at 200-mph - showing it still had racing in its blood. On Monday, Taff and his crew disassembled the racer, put it in its shipping container, and then it was back to Britain.