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It was generally agreed that
elementary flying training
should be given in two-seat
side-by-side cabin aircraft, not
only because of the confidence
given to the pupil by the
instructor being at his side,
but because the whole
instructional routine would be
simplified.
With these desirable objectives
in view, since 1936 the Miles
organisation advocated the use
of such an arrangement, and
carried their ideas into effect
in the Whitney Straight and
Monarch civilian types with
great success.
The ideal form was achieved with
the M.28, a machine which holds
the distinction of being the
first light aeroplane type to be
designed and built during the
war years, although the original
projecting was done in 1939.
Intended primarily for two seat
initial flying training duties,
it can also be used as a
three-seat navigational and
radio trainer, or as a four seat
communication type, and requires
little or no adaptation to
become a club machine, air-taxi
or private-owner aeroplane on
the return of peace.
Perhaps the most outstanding
feature of the M.28 is that with
only 140 hp it can carry four
people at 160 mph, for 500 miles
with a fuel consumption of 20
mpg. This remarkable performance
is combined with a low landing
speed, achieved by the use of a
new type of retractable
auxiliary aerofoil flaps devised
by Mr. George Miles who, in
addition to designing the M.28,
carried out all the initial
flight tests himself.
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Design Company: |
Phillips & Powis Aircraft Ltd |
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First Flight: |
11 July 1941 |
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M.28: |
6
- Phillips & Powis, Woodley |
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Type Specification |
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Applies to: |
Miles M.28 |
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Type: |
Cabin training and
communication aircraft built
as private venture
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|
Wing: |
Low wing cantilever monoplane
of spruce structure covered in
plywood. Wing tapers from root
to tip with dihedral. Split
flaps fitted as standard
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|
Fuselage: |
Fuselage of spruce structure
with plywood covering
|
|
Tail Unit: |
Cantilever tailplane with
elevator at top of fuselage
with single fin and rudder
|
|
Landing Gear: |
Single wheel on each main leg,
which retract into wing.
Tailwheel |
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Power Plant: |
One 150 hp Blackburn Cirrus
Major III engine in nose
driving a fixed pitch
propeller |
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Accommodation: |
Two rows of two seat in
enclosed cabin |
|
Dimensions |
|
Span: |
30 ft 8 in |
|
Length: |
24 ft |
|
Height: |
8
ft 4 in |
|
Wing Area: |
162 sq ft |
|
Weights |
|
Empty: |
1,658 lb |
|
All-up: |
2,500 lb |
|
Performance |
|
Max Speed: |
159 mph |
|
Rate of Climb: |
840 ft/min |
|
Range: |
408 miles |
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