On paper, the 1950s-era Edgar Percival E.P.9 isn’t so different from many types. From a technical aspect, it checks many of the same boxes; it has a high wing braced by struts, it’s a taildragger, it has one piston Lycoming engine, and it has room for five seats. Fairly straightforward and unremarkable.
Walk up to one in person, however, and it quickly becomes clear that this machine is something altogether different. Despite standing only about a foot taller than a Cessna 185, the E.P.9 is massive in person, and dwarfs any single-engine piston GA aircraft in the vicinity. Additionally, the layout is vastly different from other types, with a cockpit that’s elevated above and separated from the cavernous passenger/cargo cabin below.
