The prototype, G-ABUR, powered by a Cirrus Hermes IV, was built at Yate by George Parnall and Company and flown round Britain by E. W. Percival in the King's Cup Race of July 8-9, 1932, at an average speed of 142-73 m.p.h.

In the following year, re-engined with a Napier javelin III, it had a top speed superior to many contemporary fighters, becoming well known at civil aerodromes until written off in Northern Rhodesia during Man Mohan Singh's 1935 Cape record attempt.

By virtue of its four cylinder Hermes IV, the prototype became the Percival Gull Four P.1. Mk. I, while production aircraft with improved windscreens and cabin glazing became known as the Gull Four P.1.A Mk. II.

Private owners, such as Sir Phillip Sassoon and W. Lindsay Everard, favoured the Percival Gull Four P.1.B Mk. IIa equipped with a Napier Javelin engine, like their respective G-ACGR and 'AL 'Leicestershire Fox' 182.

A Gipsy Major powered P.1.C Gull Four Mk. IIb as well as a Blackburn Cirrus major powered P.1.E Gull Four Mk. III were developed later.