I've always had a soft spot for Miles aeroplanes. The company was based at my local airport of Shoreham when I was young so they were a common sight.
Sadly there's not many left now as they're of all-wood construction.
The Autumn Air Show at Old Warden last Sunday gave me the rare opportunity of seeing four different examples of these classic aircraft in the air together.
First of all, the M.14A Magister (affectionately named Maggie) developed for the RAF from the famous Miles Hawk series. This one belongs to the Shuttleworth Collection.
Peter Holloway's beautiful Falcon Major based at Old Warden. He told me it's 75 years this month since it was exported to Sweden, hence the motif on the rudder.
(I believe it will be featured in the next issue of Aeroplane magazine.)
Now here's a sight for sore eyes. In fact, I never thought I'd be lucky enough see one again. I believe it's the only airworthy example of a Miles Whitney Straight in the world.
It's only recently been fully restored by Ron Souch at Southampton & a fine job he made of it.
The end of the line. The M.65 Gemini was the last of the Miles range of light aircraft to go into production. One of only six left on the CAA register.
This one was displayed by Sir John Allison who owns it.
Hope you enjoyed my little trip down memory lane.
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