Miles Messenger

[Rory57]

http://www.pprune.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=392&stc=1&d=1463847104

Just found these photos in the family archives.
Can anyone tell me anything about this apparent propellor-loss accident?
Have found nowt on AAIB or via google. G-INFO says withdrawn Feb. 1973

[oftenflylo]

Colour scheme is earlier - 1965 type of scheme -just after large registration required. Later it was cream.

[Planemike]

No records on this incident........... It is fairly minor compared with what happened to sister ship G-AJEY on 28 June 1947. This Messenger had been borrowed from Miles A/c by Boulton Paul's chief test pilot Lindsay Neale to take his family on holiday. While over the village of Bait in southeast France the propeller AND engine parted company from the airframe. Lindsay managed to land successfully despite having a full load on board (wife, mother in law and two children). Apparently they all climbed into the front seats of the aircraft to help to try to restore the CofG !!!!

The incident is described in Don Brown's book Miles Aircraft since 1925...... This includes a photograph of G-AJEY "sans" engine. It appears the a/c was written off despite being largely undamaged......

[Wander00]

Used to be a Messenger or two at Elstree late 50s/early 60s when I used to cycle up there "spotting". Always thought it and its sister the Gemini most elegant aerial carriages