The original E.1 Mew Gull, c/n E.20, first flew in March 1934. This E.2, c/n E.20A, was a longer aircraft which appeared in July 1935. Both wore G-ACND. The E.1 had a mishap in France in October 1934 (not 1935). The E.2 was apparently destroyed in another accident in France in October 1935. Of course c/n E.20A and the same registration suggest a rebuild, but apparently almost nothing of the E.1 was actually used. Some people even believe there were two racers marked G-ACND flying at the same time in 1935 - extremely unlikely, of course. The hull of what must have been the E.1 survived at Luton to be burnt in 1945. Dutch postcard.

'The King's Cup Air Race starts on Friday next and finishes on Saturday. Last minute preparations were made by pilot[s] on the Percival planes at Luton aerodrome as all planes must be at Hatfield by tomorrow (Thursday). O.P.S. Capt Percival, who is flying the Viscountess Wakefield of Hythe's Percival Mew Gull in the air race, giving the plane a trial spin.' Percival took third place in the race. The E.3, or E.3H, was different from the earlier Mew Gull racers and was called the Super Mew.

Ex ZS-AHM. Still current in 2023, owned by the Shuttleworth Trust (after rebuild the c/n officially became PFA 13-10020 from May 1978).

A very successful British racing aircraft of the 1930s. Won the King's Cup Air Race in 1938. Set a long-standing UK-Capetown and return record in early 1939. Seen here displaying over its Old Warden base at a Shuttleworth Trust Air Show.

A very successful British racing aircraft of the 1930s. Won the King's Cup Air Race in 1938. Set a long-standing UK-Capetown and return record in early 1939. Seen here displaying over its Old Warden base at a Shuttleworth Trust Air Show.

A very successful British racing aircraft of the 1930s. Won the King's Cup Air Race in 1938. Set a long standing UK to Capetown and return record in early 1939. Displaying over Old Warden at a Shuttleworth Trust Air Show.

The original aircraft is still operated by the Real Aeroplane Company at Breighton

Dave Welch photo.

Shuttleworth Collection aeroplane, based Old Warden Aerodrome.

Racing design constructed in 1936. Now rebuilt after several crashes. Compare the current cockpit design with my May 1953 image taken at that year's Kings Cup Race event.

Replica on display at RAF Museum Hendon. The original was owned and flown by Alex Henshaw, who won the 1938 King's Cup in his Mew Gull. Just six of these aircraft were built and used extensively for racing.