Miles M.18

M.18
Type:	Small plane
Design country:	United Kingdom
Manufacturer:	Miles Aircraft
First flight:	4th December 1938
Commissioning:	1938
Number of pieces:	3

The Miles M.18 is a single-engine, two-seat small aircraft produced by the British manufacturer Miles Aircraft .

development and construction

Miles M.18 was a series of three slightly different prototypes .

The M.18 Mk.1 was a two-seat trainer aircraft in tandem configuration , powered by a de Havilland Gipsy Major with a nominal output of 130 PS (96 kW ). Their first flight completed this machine with Frederick George Miles at the wheel on December 4, 1938 in Woodley . In 1941 it was converted into a single-seater with a nose wheel landing gear . The tailplane was moved forward 22 in (0.56 m ). In 1946 the aircraft was rebuilt on a tail wheel landing gear and the wingspan was reduced from 31 ft (9.45 m ) to 22 ft (6.71 m). Furthermore, the engine was exchanged for a Jameson FF with a nominal output of 110 PS (81 kW). In 1947 the machine was scrapped.

M.18 Mk 1 in the pre-1941 configuration

On the M.18 Mk.2, the tail unit was also 22 in (0.56 m) further forward than originally on the Mk.1. It was powered by a Blackburn Cirrus Major III with 150 hp (110 kW). The only copy with the serial number HM545 completed its maiden flight in November 1939. It was considered by the Air Ministry as a replacement for the Miles Magister . According to test pilots, the machine was easier to control than the Magister, could not go into a tailspin and was easy to fly at night. Nonetheless, she was certified as having a lack of resilience. The Mk.2 was used by Miles Aircraft as a liaison aircraft during World War II . It was then transferred to civil use with the aircraft registration G-AHKY and won the Goodyear Trophy air race in 1945 with an average speed of 130 mph (209 km / h) and in 1961 with an average speed of 142 mph (229 km) / h) the King's Cup Race . After various private owners, the aircraft was decommissioned in 1989 and has been on display at the National Museum of Flight in Scotland since 1996 .

The M.18 Mk.3 was equipped with closed cockpits and also powered by a Blackburn Cirrus Major III. The only model built, designated U-0236, flew for the first time in October 1942 in Woodley. It was used by Miles Aircraft with the registration JN703 as a liaison aircraft before it was put into civilian use in 1946 with the registration G-AHOA. After two private owners, it was destroyed in a crash on May 25, 1950 near Littondale in Yorkshire .

Technical data (M.18 Mk.2)

Miles M.18 Mk.3, 1950

Miles M.18 G-AHKY in the National Museum of Flight in Scotland

Parameter	Data
crew	1
Passengers	1
length	24.83 ft (7.57 m )
span	31 ft (9.45 m)
Empty mass	1,360 lb (617 kg )
Max. Takeoff mass	1,925 lb (873 kg)
Cruising speed	120 mph (193 km / h )
Top speed	142 mph (229 km / h)
Engines	1 × Blackburn Cirrus Major III with 150 PS (110 kW )

Preserved copies

The M.18 Mk.2 has been on display at the National Museum of Flight in Scotland since 1996 .

literature

AJ Jackson: British Civil Aircraft since 1919 . Putnam & Co Ltd, London 1974, ISBN 0-370-10014-X (English).

Web links

Commons : Miles M.18 - Collection of Pictures, Videos and Audio Files

Individual evidence

^ AJ Jackson: British Civil Aircraft since 1919 . Putnam & Co Ltd, London 1974, ISBN 0-370-10014-X , pp. 267 (English).
↑ HENK WADMAN COLLECTION No. 9071. Miles M.18 Mk.2 (G-AHKY c / n 4426). 1000aircraftphotos, June 30, 2009, accessed May 5, 2020 .
^ ^A ^b ^c Graham Drucker: Miles M.18 Trainer. Fleet Air Arm Archive, April 3, 2000, accessed May 5, 2020 .
^ ^A ^b A. J. Jackson: British Civil Aircraft since 1919 . Putnam & Co Ltd, London 1974, ISBN 0-370-10014-X , pp. 268 (English).

[1] AJ Jackson: British Civil Aircraft since 1919 . Putnam & Co Ltd, London 1974, ISBN 0-370-10014-X , pp. 267 (English).

[2] HENK WADMAN COLLECTION No. 9071. Miles M.18 Mk.2 (G-AHKY c / n 4426). 1000aircraftphotos, June 30, 2009, accessed May 5, 2020 .

[Drucker-3] A ^b ^c Graham Drucker: Miles M.18 Trainer. Fleet Air Arm Archive, April 3, 2000, accessed May 5, 2020 .

[Jackson,_1974,_p._268-4] A ^b A. J. Jackson: British Civil Aircraft since 1919 . Putnam & Co Ltd, London 1974, ISBN 0-370-10014-X , pp. 268 (English).