Miles Gemini

[Stevemcmli]

I couldn't let this "Miles" thread pass without a plug for the Berkshire Museum of Aviation http://www.museumofberkshireaviation.co.uk/, located on what was a corner of Woodley Aerodrome. It's run by a smashing bunch of enthusiastic and knowledgeble people. A great way to while away a rainy afternoon - no shortage of those at the moment!!
Never been in a Gemini but scrounged a few flights in Messenger G-AKKC when I was lad; that was pretty wonderful.

[k12479]

"find anything newer that can carry 4 people in relative comfort on 2x90hp?"

How about an Aero 45? Similar sort of thing.

[Wessex Boy]

There is an Aero 45 hanging from the ceiling in Arrivals at Prague airport, very similar looking aircraft, I have a photo somewhere......

[skua]

the Gemini

But back to the Gemini: Alex Henshaw , RIP, talks in his autobiography of his immediate post-war career which involved being a salemen for the Gemini in Africa. To prove its worth he took his wife and very young son on numerous jaunts around the continent. He explains why he did not meet with much commercial success!

Great man, and hats off to anyone who keeps one in the air now.

Skua

[shortstripper]

Aero 45

I have the wings of a long time restoration project for an Aero 45 in my hangar. Lovely aeroplane and very good performance on two Walter Major engines - But the Gemini is so, so .... English (I cant help it, I'm biased)

SS

[GWYN]

For a long time James B.........m had a Gemini didn't he? I believe it was kept on a private strip somewhere near Bristol.

[aero moniker]

Four people on 2x90/100 hp. With modern construction, glues & sealants/paints, especially the faster construction techniques developed in the homebuilt/kitplane era, this would be a wonderful design to revisit. Add auto diesel conversions, and there would be most affordable multi flying. I read years ago a full stall was possible with one engine full power & the other shur down. Try that in a Twin Comanche or most other twins! There are now constant speed/feathering? props for engines this size. Didn't the cutdown canoy ,cleaned up one hit 145 or 150 kts? Sigh, so much in the triumphant 'thirties and fabulous 'forties was so delightfuly right! Now withe energy costs, commercial pressures on large areas of real estate, perhaps its time to reconsidernot just practicat, affordable aero excellence but elegance.

[Jan Olieslagers]

Only 4 left now I believe. Three in the UK and one in New Zealand

There used to be one around here, was based at EBAW. Sold to Sweden one or two years ago, ISTR.

Edit: our alther friend G found [URL=http://www.belgian-wings.be/Webpages/Navigator/Photos/Airshows/deurne_2001/deurne_stampe_fly_%20in_2001.htm] reporting <quote>Miles M.65 Gemini 1A was once owned by famous WWII pilot Raymond Lallemand, who gave it the personalised registration OO-RLD.</quote>

[Jan Olieslagers]

Too kind, Silvaire, I was there and saw her and probably have a snap too, somewhere - a neat plane indeed. Let's hope she's still flying in her new Northern home. Only my sense of chronology was shown to be poor, again:

GINFO Search Results | Aircraft Register | Safety Regulation

[Oldpilot55]

There is one at North Coates that sadly landed wheels up fairly recently. Lovely looking aircraft.

[S-Works]

That used to be ours at Spanhoe. We delivered to Sweden Barkaby a coupe of years ago to an ex racing driver. He gave me a tour of his 'small' farm in ax MASH helicopter. Took us 20 minutes to land in his garden from reaching the edge of the property!

We then proceeded to fire up his Merlin engine on a trolly in the dark. My ears are still ringing! I have a picture of the exhausts glowing in the dark.

Fun trip!

[KING6024]

I can remember Geminis at Elstree in the mid 1950s,possibly Derby Aviation,I can also remember one in a bunker at the Oxhey Golf course after a forced landing.
Colin.

[AdamFrisch]

Here's a lovely little clip of Swedish farmer Björn Esbjörnssons Miles Gemini as he flies it around his farm. He inherited it from his father (who bought it in the 50's) and has kept it flying ever since.

h

hhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToV62V5XaGE

[Sir George Cayley]

Absolutely fantastic looking fun! Nice music too

I noticed a couple of things. It seemed like he was putting in a lot of stick waggles with no perceivable effect and I couldn't help smiling at the word 'experimental' under the cockpit window. If true that's the longest experiment in aviation I've ever seen

BTW I'm told LB's Gemini now resides at Barton.

Sir George Cayley

[sunday driver]

See also 'Gemini to Joburg', by Cecil Lewis (yes, that one) published by Random House in 1984 when he was 86.
A detailed acount of his 1947 trip. Is as well written as all his better known books.

[glider12000]

I was very lucky to enjoy 2 flights in G-AKKH last year, one flight in the back seat and the other in the front.

Was great fun and a great experience.

[Retired Redcap]

Sir George,

You are indeed correct, G-AKKB is now resident at Barton. It is the only twin based there.