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MMMmmmiles Aircraft

Old 21st Jan 2003, 18:34
  #101 (permalink)  
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Hairyplane,

Am I missing something about the wing? Anyhoo, here is the lowdown on the Student:

http://www.bigwig.net/museumofberksh...on/student.htm

Here's another much better pic:
http://www.cals.lib.ar.us/miller/images/MIL_M100.jpg

The only other connection I have with Miles is that I used to drink in the same flying club bar as Jim Buckingham, who displays the Gemini G-AKKB, which was the last to be built at Woodley in 1947. It's still going strong:

http://www.museum-explorer.org.uk/mu...php?Photo=2278

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Old 21st Jan 2003, 22:20
  #102 (permalink)  
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Various MMMmmmiles matters

Wub -

I thought that I read somewhere that the wing had gone missing? Maybe I dreamed it.....I'll need to consult the Oracle on this one and come back to you - maybe tomorrow. I hadn't realised that it had been comprehensively stuffed...

Sir George C -

Re - Fred Dunkerly. I consulted The Oracle this afternoon but could only post when I got back from the Rubadub. He is the guy who converted a Sparrowhawk into a Sparrowjet in the 50's.

His son Alan has undertaken the task of rebuilding the remains of it - not much apparently - back into the original Sparrowhawk.

Is Ben Cox doing this? Apparently so.

Where can I get hold of Ben Cox? I have a question for him.

Nice to find out how he is getting on with it if so.

Tredders -

Glad you are enjoying this thread! I feel a ride in the Maggie (or Falcon as you wish) happening this season. EMail me to arrange if you want.

At this rate, 200 posts seems feasible. We seem to be unearthing so much stuff.

Such a pity that The Oracle isn't taking part in this - he is a mine of information and undoubtedly - by a long long shot - the worlds expert on Miles Aircraft. Trouble is - as previously stated - he isn't into computers....

My letter in Pilot - Nov02 - regarding the dropping of his mates ashes still conjures up this image of poor old Peter Amos alias 'The Oracle' spitting ash out and absolutely smothered in them.

(I have to say it was a bit of a grin - especially as his incinerated chum was a right wag apparently.)

I think he otherwise enjoyed his ride in V1075. ....!

(Watch this space - the V1075 identity may be on its way out forever. If the CAA are happy for me to change it - can't think why not - it might get done this season.)

HP
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Old 21st Jan 2003, 22:38
  #103 (permalink)  
 
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Just for gawd's sake don't paint it grey like every other damn aeroplane these days!
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Old 22nd Jan 2003, 07:32
  #104 (permalink)  
 
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Sir George, Mike is a Dunkerly without the second e. His mother was a Duchess of xxxxxxx? who's obituary I have but obviously not handy.

Aerohack, Jenks (to revert way way back to page 2 or 3) lent a helping hand when the Birketts moved from Fleet to Elvetham Hall Lodge, or at least Joan Passini-Birkett and the two girls, because Hollie had remarried. Far as I recall Jenks helped me dig out a tree that was in the way (well, a bush, but a big one!).

Hairyplane, a photo of 'EEG probably from an Ian Allan booklet from the sixties shows it to have had a dark top in front of the cabin, possibly to cut out glare at high altitude??

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Old 22nd Jan 2003, 08:58
  #105 (permalink)  
 
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hairyplane: <Watch this space - the V1075 identity may be on its way out forever. If the CAA are happy for me to change it - can't think why not - it might get done this season.>

The pre-war CFS aerobatic team colour scheme is most attractive, but you'd need the broad chord fin for it to be truly authentic. What I'd really love to see is a post-war civilian Hawk Trainer scheme, preferably in 'Miles cream'. Despite my near-obsessive purist inclinations, I nonetheless defend to the death an owner's right to paint his aeroplane how he pleases, but from our exchanges here I have a feeling we won't be seeing 'KPF in anything other than tastefully appropriate colours.
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Old 22nd Jan 2003, 09:04
  #106 (permalink)  
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Maggie/ Falcon

Damien B -

The proposed change relates purely to the registration.

V1075 was one of the last machines off the line and - as such - had bare legs and was painted in camouflage.

It is thus not historically accurate in its present, handsome yellow scheme.

However, mounting evidence of a more correct identity - N3733 - is emerging all the time.

In the 50's, the fuselage and lots of other airframe bits were changed following a crash. THe widely held view today - shared by me also - is that the identity of an aircraft should relate to the fuselage.

It retained its G-AKPF (previously V1075) identity purely because that was the reg on the CofA. This followed through to the present day.

Nothing - save for a few bits and pieces maybe - survive of the original V1075 - the wings were changed during its protracted restoration too.

The thing was basically a waterlogged, wingless hulk in the 60's when it was rescued and bought for fifty quid.

I think it is now time to ask the CAA if they mind -under the current Display of Military Marks exemption - if it is changed.

N3733 was a much earlier 1938 machine and correctly wore the yellow scheme.

My personal view is that whilst the Maggie looks pretty dull with bare legs and in camouflage, the pre-war trainer scheme is MMMmmm lovely.

Stand the 2 together at Shuttleworth and they could be mistaken at first glance for 2 completely different machines.

If they were a couple of girlies, you would try to pull the yellow one any day!

So - Damien B. Have no fear. It won't be grey!It will wear its correct identity and thus wear the correct paint scheme too.

Maybe time to look up and apply the myriad of stencils to it as well.

I reckon they must have had an army of 'stencil bods' in those days!

Lastly - wouldn't it be nice to see a Maggie in a civvy scheme?

The fuselage I have mentoned earlier has a wonderful post-war racing history. Photos at the time - I have one on my office wall - are of a very handsome aircraft indeed.

I think that the opportunity exists for just one more Maggie rebuild from bits. The costs would be ridiculous though, especially when there are people bent on profiteering from our aviation heritage - 'Tricky Bob' for one - and rendering such projects even less viable by the day.

atb 1943 - The Falcon still has a matt black strip between screen and prop. I don't think that its removal would cause any problems. However, I have no plans to repaint the aircraft. I think Tim Moores scheme - though without any historical connections whatsoever - looks great.

It was, without looking up the file - red fuz with cream wings when new.

I have details of all the schemes it wore from new, including details of the Swedish air taxi logos.

It is possible that we might see a series of artists impressions of them in the forthcoming Air Enthusiast feature. I am talking to Ken Ellis about this at the moment.

I can tell you now though that some of the Swedish pictures - especially the ones that show the aircraft on skis - are just wonderful so prepare yourselves for a treat!

Unlike the Maggie - the Falcon is a highly original aircraft. Most of what you see today left Woodley in 1936.

HP
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Old 22nd Jan 2003, 09:48
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Dull in camo? Never! I thnk it makes a fantastic contrast with 'V1075', indeed it makes a fantastic contrast with its own yellow undersides. In sunshine it just begs to be photographed, particularly coming round the corner at Old Warden, topsides to the crowd. I can feel my underwear tightening just thinking about it.

Rather like the sound of the red/cream scheme for the Falcon too...
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Old 22nd Jan 2003, 20:26
  #108 (permalink)  
 
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Hairyplane

Yes Tim and Ben Cox are restoring the Sparrowhawk I was discussing it with him last week. He said it could possibly be ready at the end of this year but much more likely to be next year. I'll be speaking to him tomorrow and will pass on that you want to ask him something.
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Old 23rd Jan 2003, 18:57
  #109 (permalink)  
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Miles Student

Hmmm.

Where did I see or read it??

I am convinced that someone somewhere had reported that the wing was found to be missing when they came to restore the thing to static.

So - I consulted The Oracle this evening - poor old boy was cream- crackered after chasing halfway around the countryside for MMMmmmiles piccies for his forthcoming 'definitive Miles' tome.

He confirmed that I was dreaming.

So - the Miles Student is bent but all there - more than you can say for me (hang on - I'm not bent but probably mostly 'there...')

I have to say that the student doesn't blow my frock up too far.

However, tell me where there is a complete Hawk for fifty quid and I'll need a pacemaker.

Do you think we'll make 200 posts??

Naaaaah.

I reckon wel'l hit 125 over the next couple of weeks though. Not bad!

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Old 24th Jan 2003, 18:20
  #110 (permalink)  
 
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Just wait until I find out how to post photos, then there'll be more fun. Got a gorgeous (IMHO) b/w photo of Smith's Gemini in long grass at WW............and a very strange scimitar tailed 4-prop job built or reengineered for a filum.

Incidentally Aerohack (or anybody of course), any idea what the CAP-looking red and white aircraft was aerobatting around Thorney today? The only link was that it wasMMMmmmiles away. An Army Lynx did a couple of circuits over Eastoke carrying rocket-launchers on its skids.

I note too that the day we departed WW in 1962 in 'GTC for Rotterdam, SE-AFN was present, today's 'EEG. The Proctor had quite a lot of wing surface from which to wipe the early-morning dew.

And travelling through Christchurch station yesterday, I wondered where the airfield was situated and what it had been like, because I can't recall a tiny bit of my visit 40 years ago, except to have noted what was there, Comper Swift 'BUU, two Consuls or Oxfords, and a US-registered Comanche, 6183P. Anyone got a photo of Christchurch? It might jog my memory.

cheers!
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Old 25th Jan 2003, 03:37
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It is interesting that mention is made of the Airspeed works at Christchurch in this thread. A fellow who was in the know there, assured me that all Miles blueprints were held by the factory and were subsequently destroyed under instructions from the management. Unless some 'escaped' of course!
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Old 25th Jan 2003, 10:25
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Speechless Two: Austers that may have been based at Christchurch in the early 1960s included Alphas G-AHAT, 'JAE and 'JYB. The Consuls/Oxfords broken up there were indeed Oxfords, ex-Air Service Training at Hamble — G-AIAT and 'IAX, and according to my 'Big Book of Oxfords' which I happened to be reading last night, AST's G-ALTP also ended its days there after an engine fire in January 1962.

atb1943: Long way from Thorney Island these days, so can't help with the CAP-like.
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Old 25th Jan 2003, 19:30
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Anyone know if anything - parts, drawings etc exist for the Miles Satyr. Several years ago I heard of a chap going to construct a replica - don't know if it was to be from plans or just to outline or even if it was ever started. ?????????
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Old 25th Jan 2003, 20:12
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Wink

Dull in camo?

Umm, wasn't that the point ? I have never quite understood why someone would go into scrupulous detail over a wartime paintjob and then polish it to a mirror-like finish. Civil schemes are so much prettier anyway.

Shields up !
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Old 25th Jan 2003, 22:40
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Many thanks for all the gen and website, Speechless Two, appreciate it. Will definitely check out Hampshire airfields when back home, here am living on borrowed (air) time. I do know that the Redwing and Desford were also noted, but I am about 700 kms from my records.

Was wandering about Hayling today up and down the old railway line with a friend whose father once owned an Auster, when G-TENT flew overhead, probably out of Goodwood. Nice coincidence, belongs on the Auster thread perhaps....

Aerohack, as far as I?

cheers
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Old 26th Jan 2003, 10:27
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atb1943:<as far as I?>

No, South Lincolnshire, but still a regular visitor to Portsmouth and its environs, which will always be 'home'. There used to be a flying field on Hayling Island pre-war.
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Old 26th Jan 2003, 18:35
  #117 (permalink)  
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Camouflage

Hi Paper Tiger,

It was just a comparison between a Maggie in camo and bare legs versus one (mine!) in an earlier scheme - RAF trainer yellow, polished cowling and spatted U/C.

I defy anybody to stand in front of them both and say that the drab machine is prettier. Historically more accurate maybe but prettier? I don't think so...

You will understand from my previous posts that I am keen to see a Maggie in a civvy scheme. MMMmmm!

Polished camouflage or military schemes applied to aircraft with zero military history make me groan.

THere are a few civvy Miles machines in camouflage around the world. One particular Messenger 'down under' is painted in the most appalling 'camouflage' scheme that is so wrong it is laughable - even if it did once wear military markings (which it didn't...)

Ugh...

HP
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Old 26th Jan 2003, 21:01
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Aerohack,

That aerobatic machine was most probably Robin 2160 G-VECG ex-Goodwood.

Found an extraordinary book today entitled 'Blossom', A Biography of Mrs. F. G. Miles, by Jean M. Fostekew, ISBN 0 9515598 6 9. I can already see that it will provide hours of absorbing entertainment.
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Old 29th Jan 2003, 16:54
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Hairyplane,

Very sorry, but that hangarage won't be available. I watched them cutting the hard standing on Monday, and the steel is going up next week. But I guess it will house the Yak and occasionally the Strikemaster.

Was fortunate enough to fly up to Duxford in the Yak (Dosaaf 55) on Monday. What a gorgeous day for it! Arrived just as P-40 was cavorting about.

Picked up Flypast...now I know all...!

Do you have the book on Blossom? Fascinating.
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Old 29th Jan 2003, 18:00
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Blossom

Hi atb1943,

Thanks for trying.

I have seen the book on Blossom Miles - haven't got round to buying it yet simply because I have a shedload of 'also very interesting' books that I haven't read yet and - at the rate I read - there will be a good few Christmas's and Birthday's between, God willing.

I have a special interest in Blossom because a)she was drop-dead gorgeous and b) she penned the Falcon design. So, if they actually do invent a Tardis I'm going to nip back 20 years, kinda get used to being 30 again and then nip back to 1936 to see if I can pull her while George is whiling away the midnight hours at the factory.

I think a bit of pillow talk might just get her to cough up the truth about the screen on the Falcon!

I know I have mentioned this earlier but - 3 'must reads' for any 50's enthusiast are - Tails of the 50's, More Tails of the 50's and Tail Ends of the 50's - all by my good friend Peter Campbell.

The books are really a collection of anecdotes and some nice pictures.

Good news!

I have just heard that I have been awarded the Desmond Penrose trophy by the VAC for my Miles Aircraft contribution.

A busy year this season - off to Barkaby Stockholm again in June, to return my nice trophy won last year and guzzle some more Falcon beer (yes, they have a Falcon Brewery in Sweden!)

Also - I have been asked by the RIAT Fairford organisers to get my Falcon & Maggie in the exhibition for their '100 years of flight' exhibition and air display.

All expenses, accomodation and some dosh too so - can't be bad!

I reckon I'll do Schaffen Diest in Belgium too.

Coventry also want the Maggie at their display.

The Great Vintage Flying Weekend at Kemble 9-11th May is a must for all you Miles nutters.

If the weather and winds are favourable I would expect to do plenty of joyrides.

Oh yes! Guess what! Somebody on the Auster thread has described Miles Aircraft as 'plywood barges.'

I think you ought to nip across and file a complaint!

All the best

HP
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