Miles Aircraft - The Wartime Years

Production, Research & Development,
During World War II

Peter Amos

This second volume continues the story with the trials and tribulations of Miles Aircraft during the Second World War.

The stories of the Magister and the Master are completed and for the first time the full range of experimental aircraft prototypes and the vast extent of Miles projected designs and innovative ideas are detailed. This includes the "X" series of transport aircraft and concludes with the first part of the story of the Miles M.52 High Speed Research Aircraft.

Prior to Rolls Royce divesting its interest in Phillips and Powis Aircraft in April 1941, F G Miles had concerned himself mainly with technical matters but, with the business back in the hands of the Miles family, F G had to turn his attention to administration, so George Miles took over the duties of Technical Director and Chief Designer. In fact George was responsible for many of the wartime and post-war designs.

Covering the large scale production of training aircraft and target-towers this volume also focuses on Miles’ problem with the Ministry of Aircraft Production and its attendant bureaucracy.

Uniquely, the story is supported by a fully comprehensive history of each individual aircraft built during the period. 432 pages including 16 in colour.