Miles Magister

The Miles M.14 Magister is a two-seat monoplane basic trainer aircraft designed and built by the British aircraft manufacturer Miles Aircraft It was affectionately known as the Maggie. It was the only low-wing cantilever monoplane to ever be authorised to perform aerobatics.[1]

M.14 Magister
Role Trainer
Manufacturer Miles Aircraft
Designer G.H. Miles
First flight 20 March 1937
Primary users Royal Air Force
Fleet Air Arm
Number built 1,303

The Magister was developed during the 1930s in response to Specification T.40/36, and had been deliberately based on Miles' civilian Hawk Major and Hawk Trainer aircraft. The first prototype conducted the type's maiden flight on 20 March 1937. It quickly became praised for its handling qualities, increasing the safety and ease of pilot training, while also delivering comparable performance to contemporary monoplane frontline fighters of the era. Having suitably impressed British officials, the Magister was promptly ordered and rapidly pushed into quantity production.

Entering service barely a year prior to the start of the Second World War, the Magister became a key training aircraft. It was the first monoplane designed specifically as a trainer to be induced by the Royal Air Force (RAF). Amid the war, it was purchased in large numbers, not only for the RAF but also for the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) and various overseas military operators. It was an ideal introduction to the Spitfire and Hurricane for new pilots. Its sister design, the Miles Master, was an advanced trainer also designed and produced by Phillips & Powis at Woodley. During the postwar years, surplus Magisters was exported in large numbers, often following a conversion to suit civilian uses.

Development

Background

The origins of the Miles Magister can be traced back to a decision made by the company's management in 1936 to further develop its military trainer range.[2] According to aviation author Don Brown, the choice to proceed had been heavily influenced by the firm's then-recent success with the Miles M.2 Hawk Trainer as an elementary trainer, which had been the first low-wing monoplane to be adopted as a trainer by the Royal Air Force (RAF).[2] Accordingly, it was decided to produce a derivative of the Hawk Trainer that was designed to satisfy the Air Ministry's Specification T.40/36. The submission disregarded an established convention of only procuring metal aircraft that the RAF practiced at that time.[3]

Being derived from the Hawk Trainer, the new aircraft was broadly similar or identical to the former, the majority of the differences between the two types pertained to the cockpit, which was expanded and featured numerous new features as to better conform with military training requirements.[1] On 20 March 1937, the first prototype conducted its maiden flight, flown by F.G. Miles.[4] During the following month, the aircraft received the official designation of Magister. During early flights, the aircraft exhibited an adverse tendency to spin. The issue was wholly resolved by a combination of several modifications, including elevating the tailplane by 6 inches (15 cm), the fitting of anti-spin strakes to the rear fuselage, and the adoption of a taller rudder.[1][5] The issue was so successfully resolved that the Magister became the only low-wing cantilever monoplane to ever be authorised by the Air Ministry to perform aerobatics.[1]

Into production

Having been suitably impressed by the prototype's performance during trials, the Air Ministry opted to select the Magister to fulfil the aforementioned specification.[6] Shortly after receiving an order for the type, quantity production of the Magister commenced during October 1937. Recognising the importance and value represented by the order, the company committed a significant portion of its manufacturing base to solely producing the type, abandoning its plans to produce other aircraft, such as the Miles Peregrine, as to not compete for resources with the mass production effort.[6]

Production of the Magister continued until 1941, by which time 1,203 aircraft had been produced by Miles.[7] Furthermore, in excess of one hundred Magisters were also built under licence in Turkey.[8] Notwithstanding the relatively large number built, contemporary glues used to assemble the wooden aircraft have not stood the test of time, and thus few Magisters have survived.

Design

The Miles M.14 Magister is an low wing cantilever monoplane designed for military training roles. Its design is largely derived from Miles' Hawk Trainer, although there are some noticeable differences, such as the significantly enlarged of the cockpit. A more spacious cockpit was required to reasonably accommodate the presence of parachutes and various training aids, which included the provision of comprehensive blind-flying apparatus.[1] For convenience, the open cockpits are furnished with forward windscreens made of Perspex, while baggage and unused equipment may be stored in a sizable bay to the aft of the rear cockpit accessed via an exterior door.[9] Pilots are required to enter and exit the aircraft via a wingroot walkway on the starboard side.[9]

The Magister is largely composed of wood, its fuselage consisting of a spruce structure topped by a plywood covering,[4] similar materials were used for its three-piece wing and tail unit.[9] The wing centre section has no dihedral and is of constant section with outer sections having dihedral and tapering towards the tip.[10] The Magister is furnished with split flaps as standard;[11][12] upon entering RAF service, it became the service's first trainer to feature flaps.[9] It has a fixed tailwheel undercarriage, complete with drag-reducing spats on the main wheels;[10] to reduce the required landing distance, the undercarriage was equipped with Bendix drum brakes.[9] Power is provided by the ubiquitous 130 hp de Havilland Gipsy Major engine, while the fuel is housed within a pair of tanks in the aircraft's center section.[9]

The flying characteristics and performance of the Magister lent themselves well to the trainer role; according to Brown, the Magister possessed superior performance to any contemporary elementary trainer.[13] It readily enabled trainee pilots to safely learn the handling techniques of modern frontline fighter aircraft. Its ease of handling and safety were attributes that were vigorously demonstrated by F.G. Miles by performing stunts such as hands-free landings and formation flight with other aircraft while inverted.[13] The flight controls are cable-actuated; some of the controls, such as the rudder peddles, can be adjusted to optimally suit the individual pilot.[9]

Operational history

Initially, production Magisters were supplied to various flying clubs operated by the Straight Corporation, as well as to several overseas government customers.[13] By the onset of the Second World War, in excess of 700 Magisters had entered service with the RAF's Elementary Flying Training Schools; the type would eventually equip 16 such schools as well as the Central Flying School. The bulk of civilian-owned Hawk Majors were also impressed into military service as trainers alongside the type.

During June 1940, as part of British anti-invasion preparations, roughly 15 Magisters were fitted with bomb racks for the carriage of up to eight 25 pound bombs, with the intention of using the type as light bombers in the event of an invasion by Axis forces under a scheme called Operation Banquet; however, these preparations were was never put into effect and thus the type never saw active combat use in this capacity.[14][15]

Hawk Trainer Coupe G-AJRT at Leeds (Yeadon) Airport in May 1955
Many Magisters were exported postwar, this example being registered in Belgium.

The Magister also participated in experimental wartime research, such as to evaluate a long range ground attack platform during 1941.[15] Seeking to increase the payloads of conventional medium bombers, British military planners suggested the use of a so-called 'auxiliary wing' that could be towed like a glider behind a bomber; this wing would be loaded with either additional fuel or munitions. To test this concept, a modified Magister was produced; by the time testing had reached an advanced stage, the RAF had significantly bolstered its offensive forces with heavy bombers, removing the need to deploy the auxiliary wing concept.[16] Various other aircraft received experimental modifications to evaluate new equipment or aerodynamic features.[17]

Following the end of the conflict, large numbers of Magisters were declared to be surplus to requirements and disposed of, leading to many being converted for civilian purposes. Such aircraft were redesignated as the Hawk Trainer III.[8] Amongst its civil uses was air racing; during the 1950 Kings Cup Air Race alone, a total of eight Hawk Trainer IIIs were entered, one of which (a modified cabin version G-AKRV), piloted by E. Day, was awarded first place, having achieved a recorded speed of 138.5 mph while doing so. At least two other aircraft were thus modified.[18]

During the postwar years, many Magisters were exported to overseas customers, including private pilot owners and flying clubs. Countries that purchased the type included Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Lebanon, Morocco, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa, Thailand and Tunisia.

Variants
Miles M.14 Magister / Hawk Trainer III
Initial production version.
Miles M.14A Magister I / Hawk Trainer III
Improved variant.
Miles M.14B Magister II / Hawk Trainer II
Improved variant with a 135hp Blackburn Cirrus II engine
Hawk Trainer III

Operators
 Australia
 Canada
Royal Canadian Air Force[19]
 Egypt
 Belgium
 Estonia
 Ireland
 Latvia
 Malaya
  • Malayan Volunteer Air Force[19]
 New Zealand
 Portugal
 South Africa
 Turkey
 Thailand
 United Kingdom

Preserved aircraft
Miles Magister at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford

By 2009, ten Hawk Trainer IIIs were registered in the United Kingdom, of which several were airworthy. Furthermore, several ex-service Magisters have been preserved and on display – including an ex-RAF example at the Imperial War Museum in the UK, and an ex-Irish Air Corps example at the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin.

Specifications (Miles M.14A)

Data from Miles Aircraft since 1925,[21]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 24 ft 7.5 in (7.506 m)
  • Wingspan: 33 ft 10 in (10.31 m)
  • Height: 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
  • Wing area: 176 sq ft (16.4 m2)
  • Airfoil: root: Clark YH mod (19%) ; tip: Clark YH mod (9%)[22]
  • Empty weight: 1,286 lb (583 kg)
  • Gross weight: 1,900 lb (862 kg) normal
1,845 lb (837 kg) for aerobatics
  • Fuel capacity: 21.5 imp gal (25.8 US gal; 98 l) ; oil 2.5 imp gal (3.0 US gal; 11 l)
  • Powerplant: 1 × de Havilland Gipsy Major I four cylinder air-cooled inverted in-line piston engine, 130 hp (97 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed fixed-pitch propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 142 mph (229 km/h, 123 kn) at 1,000 ft (305 m)
140 mph (122 kn; 225 km/h) at sea level
130 mph (113 kn; 209 km/h) at 5,000 ft (1,524 m)
125 mph (109 kn; 201 km/h) at 10,000 ft (3,048 m)
  • Cruise speed: 122 mph (196 km/h, 106 kn)
  • Stall speed: 43 mph (69 km/h, 37 kn) flaps down
52 mph (45 kn; 84 km/h) flaps up
  • Range: 367 mi (591 km, 319 nmi)
  • Endurance: 3 hours
  • Service ceiling: 16,500 ft (5,000 m)
  • Absolute ceiling: 19,000 ft (5,791 m)
  • Rate of climb: 850 ft/min (4.3 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 10.7 lb/sq ft (52 kg/m2)
  • Take-off run: 630 ft (192 m) in 5 mph (4.3 kn; 8.0 km/h) wind
  • Take-off distance to 50 ft (15 m): 1,200 ft (366 m) in 5 mph (4.3 kn; 8.0 km/h) wind
  • Landing run: 420 ft (128 m) in 5 mph (4.3 kn; 8.0 km/h) wind
  • Landing distance from 50 ft (15 m): 975 ft (297 m) in 5 mph (4.3 kn; 8.0 km/h) wind

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

Citations
  1. Brown 1970, p. 136.
  2. Brown 1970, p. 135.
  3. Brown 1970, pp. 135-136.
  4. Johnson Aeroplane Monthly March 1980, pp. 154–155.
  5. Johnson Aeroplane Monthly March 1980, pp. 155–156.
  6. Brown 1970, pp. 136, 139.
  7. Brown 1970, pp. 144-145.
  8. Brown 1970, p. 145.
  9. Unwin, Dave (11 April 2013). "Miles Magister". pilotweb.aero.
  10. Flight 12 June 1941, p. h.
  11. Johnson Aeroplane Monthly March 1980, p. 154.
  12. Thetford 1957, p. 334.
  13. Brown 1970, p. 139.
  14. Mondey 1994, p. 168.
  15. Brown 1970, p. 140.
  16. Brown 1970, pp. 140-141.
  17. Brown 1970, pp. 141-144.
  18. Jackson 1974, p. 69.
  19. Amos 2009, pp. 367–406.
  20. MacCarron 1996, p. 138.
  21. Brown 1970, p. 146.
  22. Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.

Bibliography
  • Amos, Peter. Miles Aircraft – The early years. Tonbridge: Air-Britain, 2009. ISBN 978-0-85130-410-6.
  • Amos, Peter. Miles Aircraft – The Wartime Years 1939 to 1945. Tonbridge: Air-Britain, 2012. ISBN 978 0 85130 430 4.
  • Brown, Don L. (1970). Miles Aircraft since 1925 (1st ed.). London: Putnam & Company Ltd. ISBN 0-370-00127-3.
  • "Friend or Foe: Two Familiar British Trainers: Tiger Moth and Miles Magister". Flight, Vol. XXXIX, No. 1694, 12 June 1941. p. h.
  • Gerdessen, Frederik. "Estonian Air Power 1918 – 1945". Air Enthusiast, No. 18, April – July 1982. pp. 61–76. ISSN 0143-5450.
  • Green, William and Gerald Pollinger. The Aircraft of the World. London: Macdonald, 1955.
  • Jackson, A.J. British Civil Aircraft since 1919, Volume 2. London: Putnam, 1973. ISBN 0-370-10010-7.
  • Johnson, Graham H.R. "RAF Piston Trainers No. 7: Miles M.14 Magister". Aeroplane Monthly, Vol. 8 No. 3, March 1980. pp. 154–161.
  • Lukins, A.H. and D.A. Russell. The Book of Miles Aircraft. Leicester, UK: The Harborough Publishing Company Ltd., 1946.
  • MacCarron, Donal. Wings Over Ireland. Leicester: Midland Publishing, 1996. ISBN 1-85780-057-5.
  • Mondey, David. The Hamlyn Concise Guide to British Aircraft of World War II. Chancellor Press, 1994. ISBN 978-1851526680.
  • Ovčáčík, Michal and Karel Susa. Miles Magister: M.14, M14A, M14B. Prague: Mark I Ltd., 2001. ISBN 80-902559-4-9.
  • Simpson, Rod The Archive Photographs Series Miles Aircraft Stroud: Chalford Publishing Ltd, 1998.
  • Swanborough, Gordon. British Aircraft at War, 1939–1945. East Sussex, UK: HPC Publishing, 1997. ISBN 0-9531421-0-8.
  • Temple, Julian C. Wings over Woodley – The Story of Miles Aircraft & and the Adwest Group Bourne End: Aston Publications, 1987.
  • Thetford, Owen. Aircraft of the Royal Air Force 1918–57. London: Putnam, 1957.
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