Back to Litvyak's AltBC concept ...
As part of the post-WWI 'Imperial Gift', British Columbia received a batch of Parnall-built
Hamble Baby biplanes (in the N2000-N2039 range). In theory, the BC Air Force (RBCAF after 1922) operated the
Hamble Baby on floats as a coastal defence fighter. In reality, both float version and
Hamble Baby Converts on wheels only acted as fighter trainers.
With the establishment of British Columbia naval aviation in 1921, the RBCN's Fleet Air Arm required a proper float fighter. As the RBCAF also required a modern fighter to replace its WWI 'left-overs', government decided to pursue a single type to satisfy both service's requirements.
After testing both the Fairey
Flycatcher and third prototype Parnall
Plover, a licence was purchased for a locally-built
Plover. Boeing BC would undertake production but this was delayed while BC's rival services bickered over their engine choices. In the end, the Navy selected the heavier Bristol
Jupiter while the RBCAF preferred the more compact Armstrong-Siddeley
Jaguar.
A note on markings:
G-BYAF shows typical mid-'20s RBCAF markings. Along with the pale BC roundel of the period, RBCAF aircraft had rudder stripes and civilian style registration codes on the rear fuselage and lower wing.
Plovers were aluminium-doped with black anti-glare panels, struts, and landing gear.
G-BYNP is a
Jupiter-engined RBCN Fleet Air Arm
Plover. Naval
Plovers lacked rudder stripes (although stripes were applied to aircraft with spinners). Note that individual airframe details were recorded beneath the fin 'RBCN' but FAA aircraft lacked RBCAF-style specification blocks on the fuselage.
The
Plover Mk.IN (for 'Naval') could operate on wheels or floats. For recording purposes, (F) indicated aircraft mounted on the Hoffar wooden float gear.
BTW: these sideviews are based on art by Zygmunt Szeremeta of Choroszy Modelbud.
http://www.modelbud.pl/en_US/p/A167-Parnall-Plover-silver-series/492
