Miles Gemini

[Hagar]

Not my best shots by a long chalk but some unusual views of a very rare aeroplane I took yesterday.  The Miles M.65 Gemini used to be a common sight at Shoreham when I worked there in the early 1960s. Douglas Bader used to visit in his own example. The sun went behind a big black cloud just at the wrong moment & the all-silver colour sheme doesn't show up too well at the best of times.








PS. I heard that immaculately restored Messenger G-AJOE (single engined version of the Gemini) forced landed in Holland on its way to the G-VFWE fly-in at Hullavington the previous weekend. The pilot & passenger were unhurt but the aircraft ran into a dyke & sounds like a bit of a mess. Hope it can be salvaged. Not many of these classic Miles aircraft left.

[C]

Nice as always Doug

[chomp_rock]

Lovely! I'd like to see one of those in FS!

[Fozzer]

Hi Doug...!

Many thanks for the shots...!

I remember, some time ago, a Miles Gemini passed overhead at a high altitude on its way to Shobdon....

I heard the sound, rushed outside, and confused it with a Beech 18....as I do... ....!

Its those twin rudders... ... ...!

Cheers...!

Paul... ...!

[Ben_M_K]

Nice shots Doug! I know you live close, but how close do you live from Shorham?

[Hagar]

Thanks. It's a nice aeroplane like all Miles designs. I had a flight in one once & the owner demonstrated it was impossible to stall even with 4 occupants. I was working on my own FS versions of the Gemini & Messenger some time ago but lost the source files along with a lot of my best work when my HD fried. Serves me right but for not backing up but I can't face starting again.

Nice shots Doug! I know you live close, but how close do you live from Shorham?

Thanks Ben. About 7 miles as the crow flies. I used to live a lot closer.

PS. It's lot smaller than the Beech 18 Paul & it has 4-cylinder inline Cirrus Minor engines, not your favourite radials.

[Felix/FFDS]

As usual, a fantastic shot.  I especially like the first shot that gives a good detail of the landing gear.  That knuckle landing gear is difficult to "read" just from straight 3-views.....

[|| Andy ||]

Brilliant Photos!!  :)

me likes alots...  :o

Same engine as Chippy?  ???

[Hagar]

[quote]Brilliant Photos!!

[|| Andy ||]

I was wondering, cause of the placement of the intake..

Tis a very nice plane indeed....
Me need FS model...  :)

[Craig.]

Nice photos doug. I might be etting a car this week. I am thinking of taking a trip down towards shoreham one weekend to see what i might be able to see that i havent before.

[C]

. I believe both the Cirrus & Gypsy 4-cylinder inverted engines were derived from the same original design. The single-engined Miles Messenger is fitted with the 150 hp Cirrus Major which is very similar to the Gipsy Major.

Mmm. I might look into that one. I've never really considered the relationship between the Cirrus and Gypsy. I'm wondering if the Gypsy line was developed as a higher performance successor to the Cirrus line, as the 6 cylinder Gypsy Queen powered aircraft such as the DH86 Dragon Rapide and the DH88 Comet, and of course the Gypsy line powered (relatively) high performance aircraft such as the Tiger Moth and the Chipmunk,whilst the Cirrus continued to power the majority of DH powered GA aircraft of the day...

[Hagar]

I was wondering, cause of the placement of the intake..

I have plenty of photos of the Chipmunk If you want to see them.

Tis a very nice plane indeed....
Me need FS model...  :)

Indeed. Maybe Felix can oblige.

Nice photos doug. I might be etting a car this week. I am thinking of taking a trip down towards shoreham one weekend to see what i might be able to see that i havent before.

Let me know if you're coming so we can possibly meet up & have a bite to eat. Shoreham is a long way to come just on the offchance. The next big event is the Miles/Beagle reunion on June 11th. If the weather's OK it should be a good opportunity for some rare shots.

[Craig.]

Thanks Doug. I will let you know, the june 11th sounds good, day before Cosford so a full airshow type weekend would be nice.

[Jared]

You're making me jealous old friend!

Lots of wonderful/beautiful shots!