G-VFWE Part 5

[Hagar]

Miles Aircraft was based at Shoreham when I first worked there in the 60s. I've always liked their designs. Getting rare now as they're mostly of wooden construction. Pity as the Miles brothers were talented aircraft designers. Not too many examples showed up this year. Here's some that did. Unforunately I missed the beautiful Hawk Major. I saw it land but it seemed determined to elude me.

The Messenger. A private venture by George Miles in 1941. To demonstrate its remarkable performance to the Army he flew to a meeting & landed it in the car park. He got a limited order as a result but it was never used for the AOP work it was designed for. General Montgomery chose one as his personal aircraft. The Messenger became popular with private owners after WWII.


This Miles Gemini flew in from Belgium. Basically a twin-engined Messenger & a very nice aircraft. Used to see lots of these at Shoreham. Had a flight to Fairoaks in one once. It's almost impossible to stall even with 4 adults on board. The owner proved it during the trip.


This chap owns the exquisite Maggie & the Falcon. They both live at Old Warden. I told him some people are just plain greedy & he can only fly one at a time. He told me that he has to "persuade" people to fly it to the shows for him. Can you believe that?*


Here's his Miles Falcon. He even asked if I wanted the canopy closed for my photo. I thought it would look better open.


The beautiful little Hawk Speed Six. A unique record-breaking aircraft & I believe the only one in existence.



*PS. I was chatting to another chap in the breakfast queue. He told me he has a Tiger Moth & 2 Leopard Moths. Said it kept him poor. There are only about 4 Leopard Moths in the world.

[Felix/FFDS]

Excellent photos, made even better by the "story"

If this is what you do with a point-and-shoot camera, I think aviation photography doesn't know what it's missing by your not having gone "professional".

Now the Dove, Hagar, the DOVE that you've been teasing (me) with!

[Craig.]

that first one looks soooo cool:) second one a little strange but oddly fascinating

[Hagar]

Excellent photos, made even better by the "story"

If this is what you do with a point-and-shoot camera, I think aviation photography doesn't know what it's missing by your not having gone "professional".

Thanks Felix. You're too kind.

Now the Dove, Hagar, the DOVE that you've been teasing (me) with!

OK, OK. I got one decent shot of the Dove during the whole weekend. I'll post it in a misc selection later. It was giving joyrides all day & parked in an incovenient position most of the time like some others I wanted.*

Never mind. Better luck next time.

*PS. I won't tell you what they were.

[Felix/FFDS]

*PS. I won't tell you what they were.

I know that you hold a fond place for the Miles Aerovan - the inspiration for a new class of transport, that spawned the Skyvan, Arava

[Hagar]

I know that you hold a fond place for the Miles Aerovan - the inspiration for a new class of transport, that spawned the Skyvan, Arava

No such luck. I don't think there are any left anywhere.

I will tell you as I did get some poor shots. The most beautifully restored DH Dragon you could ever hope to see & the Jersey Airlines Heron.

[ozzy72]

Fabulous photos Doug, I recall you introducing me properly to Miles work a while back, its nice to see photos of the real kit in action

Thanks
Mark

[FLYING_TRUCKER]

Wonderful Shots Doug

Thanks for Posting Them!

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug