sites continue to grow thanks to web mas no existing engine of the necessary spe ter Trevor. cification to fulfil this requirement, it was decided that Phillips and Powis Aircraft Engineering Report Ltd would build special engines 'to suit (Geoff Etridge) the job.' The use of such engines would We have been kept busy during the last not, of course, be confined to the X.9, but six months getting on with our existing would also fulfil a long felt need. They projects also some other things that we were planned to be of approximately the have had to cope with. same power and weight as the 1,740 hp Rolls-Royce Griffon II, but they were to Firstly the miles martinet: we have now have the cylinders arranged in two banks, covered the wing leading edges, also the horizontally opposed, with direct injec chaps have finished applying the wing re- tion and compression ignition. The pro Welcome to Summer 2006 edi skinning, we have now moved on to the pellers were to have been driven through tion of the MBA Newsletter. trailing edge flap reconstruction. This is extension shafts. very complex because they have got some Editorial. very weird curves, so it is proving quite So, in early 1942, George Miles, who (Brian Lloyd) hard to do them again. The next thing is had always been interested in aero-en the aileron drive system, of which there is gines, together with a small team, set out We thank all members who kindly nothing left, so we are having to remake to design a six cylinder horizontally op provide us with cover during our opening the whole of it from scratch. The engine posed engine. The design was under hours. New faces are very welcome so if bulkhead and bearer frame is now com taken in the dispersed drawing office at you can spare a few hours of your time plete. The aeroplane is now painted silver Binfield Manor and I recently had the during the year please contact our good as it was during its time in Icelandic ser good fortune to be introduced to Mi friend and organiser, John Bold on 0118 vice. chael S. Wooding, one of the design 969 4582. team engaged on the project. The Fairey Gannet wing tips are now re Later in this edition you will find an art moved to allow us to eventually move it Michael told me that the team was led icle written by Mr. Ken Wells. We thank for the fencing to be started, ready for the by Arthur Ham, who had previously Ken for this informative item. Many read start of the hangar extension to get under been an expert on the design of ticket ers will be familiar with some of the way. We intend to re-fold the wings after machines. Four draughtsmen were in achievements of F.G. Miles. Ken worked refitting the wingtips. volved in the project, including Sid for Miles at Shoreham for many years. Porter, who had been an illustrator for This article clearly illustrates the diversity The Miles Student is still ticking along 'Autocar' and whose artist's impressions and ingenuity of the Miles organisation nicely; the lads managed to produce an of Miles aircraft appeared in many which will remain for ever as an import English Wheel to roll the new curved works publications. Michael was re ant part of aviation history. skinning for the nose section. sponsible for the camshaft, tappets and Chairman’s Report The mini-link trainer is now operating valve gear and each of the team had a (Ken Fostekew) O.K and we will put it to good use at the portion of the engine to produce. Mi Woodley carnival. chael also recalled that he was respons We are pleased to announce that Mr. John ible for installing the completed engine Fairey has accepted our invitation to be a Thanks to everybody for their efforts dur for test on a dynamometer, in what was Patron of the Museum. This we very ing the winter months. laughingly called a test house, which much appreciate and look forward to his The Shop was, in reality a small shed on the side wise counsel from time to time. of the airfield adjacent to the gravel (Margaret Etridge) pits! He also confirmed that the date of Publicity Report Hopefully we will be able to make a good the first engine runs was May 1942, as (Brian Lloyd) day of sales at the Woodley carnival; he remembers having a grandstand view Recently things have been fairly quiet on there are some bargains to be had as we of George Miles trying to fly the M.35 the publicity and press front. Information are reducing the prices on some of the Libellula at the time. stock about the Museum has been published in A Ministry, Confidential 'Miles Aircraft some publications where they make no Ltd - Second Report - Aircraft -ii', dated charge. Whenever an occasion arises The Miles Engine (Peter Amos) 30th May 1945 (Ref: BT28/1195, repro members are asked to publicise the Mu duced at Appendix No.4), stated under seum, as we very much rely upon word of In 1942, Miles proposed that the design Appendix 5 - 'Unofficial development mouth. Should any member have any of the engines for the Miles M.26 X.9 work, initiated by the firm without any publicity ideas or a publicity opportunity Transport be laid down in conjunctionI known official recognition' (!), dated please contact Brian Lloyd so that the with the design of the aircraft. A great 30th May 1945, stated in Appendix 5 idea can be developed deal of attention had been paid to the (3) (m) 'Engine Development' that: 'Re There is a slight change to our web ad aerodynamic efficiency in the layout of ports have come to hand that this firm is dress which is published on the back the aircraft, which envisaged the engines developing a 6 cylinder aero engine, as page. Exchange of links with other “like” buried in the wing. However, as there was a private venture'. This is the first (and
Museum of Berkshire Aviation Newsletter – Summer 2006 only?) recorded reference to a six cylin Not so great escape F G Miles was one of the last of the sec der aero engine being under develop ond generation of British aviation pio ment at Miles Aircraft. We all know the one about ‘the one that neers, having been responsible for many got away’ - Franz von Werra who es successful light aircraft in the 1930s, in The development of such an engine caped from England to Germany in cluding several King's Cup race winners, would have given the firm independence WWII. The book and film about the es and Miles Magister and Master trainers in from the only two main engine suppli cape are well known. WW2. He had tried to move into larger ers, one of whom, de Havilland Aircraft, aircraft at the end of the war, and built were also producing their own light How many know about the two German one aircraft, the Miles Marathon to the transport - the D.H.104 Dove - powered pilots that tried to escape in 1941 back to specifications of the Brabazon committee. by their Gipsy Queen engine, the only Germany from RAF Kingstown, Carlisle, As with most of the Brabazon commit other suitable aircraft engine available at in a stolen aircraft? The story was related tee's requirements the aircraft was not the time. Not unnaturally, any priority to me by John Gibson, ex-RAF Lanark competitive against American designs for the supply of this engine would have shire. As a flying instructor at RAF and the original Miles Aircraft based at been given to the Dove. Kingstown, one lunchtime he had parked his dual control Miles Magister training Woodley near Reading failed in 1949. Nothing further is known about the aircraft on the taxi track for refuelling. The new company F G Miles Ltd was Miles engine or even what became of it. When he returned from a bite to eat at the started at Shoreham using existing build However, it is of interest to note that NAAFI, his aircraft was missing. He ings and gradually expanded to fill most two Phillips and Powis/Miles Aircraft asked around and ascertained that it had of the buildings on the site Ltd photographs (unfortunately, untitled not been put into a hangar. Further en F G Miles was also very good at finding and undated) show an eight-cylinder quiries revealed that a mechanic had start markets for new products before the big horizontally-opposed, water-cooled en ed it up for two pupils who then taxied companies had realised the markets exist gine and its component parts. Nothing out and took off. ed, and at various times manufactured is known about this engine but the pho John Gibson said there were Polish pupils glass fibre transparent roof sheeting, glass tographs were sent to George Miles by on the flying course, which could explain fibre speed boats and yacht instruments, Julian Temple in 1985 in the hope that why they were allowed to do this, even leaving the market when competition he might have been able to recall though two escaped Luftwaffe officers built up. The Drawing office was an old whether this was a Miles engine devel had walked straight in through the main garage with transparent roof sheeting, but opment or not. George returned the gate. very few windows. Heated by paraffin photograph with the comment: 'I have stoves in the middle of the office. Fortu not, so far, been able to identify the wa At about 4pm, John said he was some nately my drawing board was close to one ter-cooled 8 cylinder engine although a what mystified to receive a phone call stove. Adjacent sheds held a two man friend who is the British representative from Great Yarmouth asking if a Magis stress office and an Aerodynamicist (Gra of a major American engine company ter, which had landed there, belonged to ham Gates). Technical publications de thinks that the cylinder blocks may have RAF Kingstown. He said yes, and was partment was at one end of the drawing come from (Jowett) Javelin car engines', amazed to be told that two German offi office, they were known as the "potters" so the origins of this engine and the rea cers had landed at Great Yarmouth to re probably due to the shed looking like a son for it being photographed by fuel and had been arrested before carry potting shed. Phillips and Powis/Miles Aircraft must, ing out their intention to fly on to Ger for the present at least, remain unknown. many. My first work was on subcontract work Frank Stanford, Sevenoaks, Kent. for Rolls-Royce. This included installa The Miles Aeroplane which tion of an RB108 lift engine in a Gloster nearly got to Germany during F G Miles Ltd – A Personal Rec Meteor. My work included detailing of the War. ollection engine fire walls, which gave me my first (Ken Wells) experience of aircraft stressing. Draughts Here is an article from the monthly men were expected to carry out calcula magazine, Best of British. We thank the My Interview at F G Miles was with tions on designs, which were usually magazine for giving us permission to re Chief Draughtsman (Philip Jeffries). My based on rough sketches, final drawings produce this item. The Magazine would only previous aircraft experience was Na were then checked by the stress office. be pleased to hear from any member who tional Service, and hobby interest, but Stress calculations were made using slide would like a complimentary copy of the was offered the job. rules, accurate geometric calculations by current edition. Please write to 27a, G H Miles, F G Miles's younger brother logarithmic tables, or using the one me Market Place, Market Deeping. Lincs, was chief designer. There was a Chief chanical calculator owned by the stress PE6 8EA or 01778 342814, stating that Technical officer Bill Niedermeyer, who office. you are a Member of the Museum of was notable for riding an ancient bicycle Berkshire Aviation and quoting Mrs. The Meteor with lift engine installed, af to work. The work was described by F G Linne Matthews. ter ground engine runs at Shoreham, was Miles in an interview as "taking in avia transferred by road to Rolls's own airfield The magazine’s web site is www.bestof tion washing" contracts for which the at Hucknall for flight trials. Next was the britishmag.co.uk large companies were not interested in world's first installation of a gas turbine tendering. reverse thrust system. This was installed
Museum of Berkshire Aviation Newsletter – Summer 2006 on a modified Avon engine in the first This project failed to gain sufficient mar where they were used for photo recon prototype Hawker Hunter. This aircraft ket interest, and the prototype was written naissance. The aircraft were unarmed. was largely hand made, with many devia off when the test pilot, Peter Hollick Ken was also asked “how long does it tions from the drawings - this caused (known as "Alca") made a heavy landing take to build a Spitfire” Answer “it de problems, as a new rear section of fuse and the tail boom collapsed. He walked pends!!” lage for the new engine was made to into the drawing office shortly afterwards, Thank you Ken for doing this on our be drawings. Engine runs carried out at and when asked what had happened, half. Shoreham, full thrust with reversers en replied "I have shortened it a bit" gaged damaged the ailerons. The aircraft Recently Jean Fostekew entertained a loc The design calculations and market re was transferred to Hucknall for flight tri al Scout Group. search were later sold to Shorts at the als. start of the Short Skyvan project, which In May, Member John Kite, gave a talk While about two thirds of Design staff was eventually built with a conventional entitled “The War and White Waltham” were working on sub contact work, F.G wing. to the over fifties group at Woosehill Miles was trying to get back into main Community Centre. He took along some The company aircraft was a Miles Gemi stream aircraft manufacture with two aircraft models and described some of the ni, twin engined 4 seater light aircraft projects. projects carried out by ML. built in the late 1940s. After a major The Miles Ml00 Student was a Jet Train overhaul the Gemini was due to fly to a Over the Whitsun Bank holiday week er, contemporary with the Percival (later prospective customer. The pilot was Dun end, members manned a stall at the BAe) Jet Provost, but because of the lim can Mclntosh, test pilot for the Student, Keevil Air Show in Wiltshire. Selling ited development budget progress was passengers were stress man Ron Dack, books, videos and other surplus items to slow, and the single prototype relied Aerodynamics expert Graham Gates, and benefit the Museum’s funds. The Miles heavily on loaned components from com draughtsman Dennis Berryman. Due to Aircraft Collection members were also in ponent manufacturers. Because of the the very wet grass airfield the aircraft attendance, headed by Peter Amos. slow progress it was not really considered failed to get airborne, and crashed into a A Museum stall was at the Woodley for the RAF order, but nearly obtained or ditch on the airfield boundary. Carnival. A float was not entered, so that ders from Finland and Sweden. These or The aircraft had upward opening "but other exhibitors would stand a chance to ders however were not large enough to terfly wing" doors, and to get to the rear win!!. Thank you to the volunteers who launch a production line and the project seats you had to climb into the front helped throughout the day. died. It was resurrected some years later, seats, and then between them to the rear and the prototype shipped to South seats, hence the rear passengers were A New Book: Africa, but again failed to achieve an or normally last out. After the aircraft came der. The prototype gave a spirited display to rest the first person out was Ron at the Farnborough show in 1957, flying a Dack from the rear seat. The pilot said full acrobatic display when the cloud base that he had footprints up his back. On was too low for most aircraft to give a seeing the accident the control tower display at all. called out the airport fire tender, and the The second project was for a STOL light Shoreham fire-brigade. The Shoreham transport to fill a slot in the market later brigade from two miles away arrived be filled by the Britten Norman Islander fore the airport engine! Ron was noted (which was itself largely developed by F for his presence of mind; he had a car G Miles staff) The prototype was a modi accident when his Morris Minor collid This 164 page publication by author Gra fication of the largely wooden structured ed with a lorry that came towards him ham Carter, was launched in the Club Miles Aero van of the late forties (which on the wrong side of the road. At the House at White Waltham in May. The was just that, a flying van, with a pod and time of the collision Ron had moved Press were present, Dick Jordan, Brian boom fuselage with rear cargo door that across to the passenger seat and was un Lloyd and Richard Poad Chairman of the could carry a vehicle. hurt. Maidenhead Heritage Centre. Later on The aircraft was fitted with a very high To be continued..... during the day other persons attended and aspect ratio wing licensed from Hurel purchased signed copies from Graham. Members in Action: Dubois in France. This prototype was A number of people assisted the author used to prove the aerodynamics of the During the Anniversary week of the first with this book, especially Museum mem wing. The Production design would have flight of the Spitfire, Chairman Ken ber Dick Jordan. Here is a book review. had a newer design of fuselage. The take- Fostekew gave a short interview on Radio off distance was very short. Berkshire. He was interviewed by Henry This is a story of how two men took over a near bankrupt company in 1940 and This aircraft was also demonstrated at the Kelly and we thank Radio Berkshire for giving the Museum this publicity. Ken transformed it into one of the most suc 1957 Farnborough, where the gimmick cessful aviation research establishments was to take off again after a very short explained that major parts of Spitfires were manufactured in the Berkshire area in the United Kingdom - ML Aviation landing, fly directly to the dispersal point, Ltd. Marcel Lobelle was one - a designer and land across the parking runway. and the Aircraft were fully assembled at Henley Airfield and then flown to Benson of repute who, during his time as Chief Designer with Fairey Aviation, produced
Museum of Berkshire Aviation Newsletter – Summer 2006 a number of famous aircraft, including the et restoration team looking over the wing The negotiations regarding the Museum Swordfish. The other was Eric Mobbs, section. extension were ongoing. whose family founded the Slough Indus Geiri hopes to see it finished on his next The officers and committee were unanim trial Estate. visit to UK!! ously re-elected. The book lists the many 'SECRET' Under any other business, Patrons were projects which were developed by the discussed, the Auditors remuneration, and Company from the beginning of World their re-election or otherwise. Attendance War Two until 1997, when ML was taken at two air shows, the Avion Videos kindly over by the Cobham Group. It is an inter being handled by Mr. A. Lott, and the in esting collection of successes and failures terview of Mr. K. Fostekew on Radio - the latter being part of the lot of mem Berkshire. bers of the aviation industry in those de veloping years where an autonomous The meeting closed at 21.05 and mem firm, of which there were many, could bers were thanked for their support. 'have a go' - a feature sadly lost in these days of the conglomerate. Left to Right: Ian Simmons, Neil Eyles, F.G. Miles Apprentices Reunion Geiri Jonsson, Ted Prestige, John For those persons not advised the 2006 Perhaps, stemming from his early days Hanby, Dennis Harvey with ML Aviation (Apprentice) and his Reunion is on 15t July 06. 01273 441061 subsequent ejection from a Meteor (RAF Summary of Thirteenth Annual pilot), Author Graham Carter has at General Meeting Royal Berkshire Aviation tached particular significance to the 'fail ure' of a ML Aviation ejection seat that The AGM was Chaired by Ken Fostekew Society on 21st March 2006 at the University of essentially put the Company out of the RBAS is only too pleased to see any Reading with a Quorum present. race with Martin-Baker. With access to Crew Members who wish to attend their documents at the National Archives and A vote of thanks was proposed to recog monthly meetings (held on the first Tues the East Sussex Coroner's Office, the Au nise the past work undertaken by Trevor day of each month). The August meeting thor reveals the real circumstances lead and Robert Wood. Both had is a “social” at White Waltham, other ing up to the death of the Hawker Chief resigned from the Committee due to other meetings are held in the Harry Pitt Build Test Pilot (Squadron Leader 'Wimpey' commitments. Trevor continues to man ing at Reading University (where the Wade) when he ejected from the P1081 age the Museum’s web site and Robert MBA AGM was held this year). using a ML ejection seat in April 1951. continues for time being as Company In this book, the dedicated research of the Secretary. Author is evident, as is the interest of the It was unanimously agreed that Ken Committee Members 'survivors' of the Company. This is Fostekew should become Chairman and Information backed by the support of the Berkshire lo Mr. Alan Foskett would take over as Chairman & Curator Ken Fostekew: cal community with a concern to preserve Treasurer, effective from the date of the j ean. f [email protected] the past historical influence of the Com AGM. Thanks were proposed to Jean pany in the area. This has resulted in the Fostekew for handling the financial af Engineering Geoff Etridge: reproduction, in this book, of pho fairs during the few months prior to the [email protected] tographs that have never been seen else AGM. where. Publicity & Press Brian Lloyd: Reports were presented to the meeting by [email protected] It is a totally genuine presentation of a The Curator, The Engineering Manager, 01628 661 005 slice of aviation history which oozes the The Publicity Officer and The Shop Man Museum Manning: John Bold: atmosphere of those aviation years now ager. gone. 0118 9694582 During the Finance and Fund Raising dis Membership Keith Freeman: Copies can be purchased by contacting cussion Gift Aid was mentioned. The bal [email protected] the Author on 01628 634347 or from the ance on all accounts at 30th November Maidenhead Heritage Centre at 3, King th 2005 was £19,000. The balance as at 13 Published by The Museum of sway, Kings Street, Maidenhead, March 2006 stood at £16,274.82p. It was Berkshire, SL6 1 EE. Cost of the book is reported with regret that the Museum was Berkshire Aviation, Mohawk £15.00p plus P and P, £1.50p for UK pur currently running at a loss. Way, Woodley, Reading, chases. Accounts for the period 01.12.04 to Berkshire RG5 4UE Visitor from Iceland. 30.11.05 were with the auditors. Web Site The brother-in-law of member Brian Help from the Lottery fund was not avail http://www.museumofberkshireaviation.co.uk/ Lloyd visited the Museum recently to able to MBA as the Museum did not meet have a look at the Martinet. The picture the criteria. below shows him and some of the Martin
Museum of Berkshire Aviation Newsletter – Summer 2006