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Conceived as a twin-engine
retractable landing gear version
of the Messenger, the Miles M.65
Gemini flew first
on 26th October 1945 and was an
immediate success. It was the
last Miles aircraft to enter
quantity production and in its
Gemini Mk 1A initial form was
powered by 100 hp Blackburn
Cirrus engines, and had
non-retractable auxiliary
trailing-edge flaps; one Gemini
Mk lB was built with retractable
flaps.
The single Gemini Mk 2 was
created by installing 125 hp
Continental engines, while
production Gemini Mk 3A aircraft
had 145 hp de Havilland Gipsy
Major 10s. There were several
sub-variants with detail
differences, but the most
powerful version with two 155 hp
Blackburn Cirrus Major III
engines, a strengthened
structure and larger fins and
rudders, was deemed sufficiently
different to be designated M.75
Aries.
A total of 170 Geminis and two
Aries was built, around
two-thirds of them being
exported, before the company
collapsed in 1947, and the type
could be considered as Miles'
most popular post-war aeroplane.
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Design Company: |
Miles Aircraft Ltd |
|
First Flight: |
26 October 1945 |
|
M.65 Gemini 1: |
1
- Miles Aircraft Ltd |
|
M.65 Gemini 1A: |
134 - Miles Aircraft Ltd
1 - Handley Page (Reading) Ltd |
|
M.65 Gemini 1B: |
1
- Miles Aircraft Ltd |
|
M.65 Gemini 2A: |
2
- Miles Aircraft Ltd |
|
M.65 Gemini 3: |
1
- Miles Aircraft Ltd
1 - Handley Page (Reading) Ltd
1 - F.G. Miles Ltd |
|
M.65 Gemini 3A: |
2
- Miles Aircraft Ltd
5 - Wolverhampton Aviation Ltd |
|
M.65 Gemini 3C: |
2
- Miles Aircraft Ltd |
|
M.65 Gemini 4: |
1
- Miles Aircraft Ltd |
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Type Specification |
|
Applies to: |
Miles M.65 Gemini 1A |
|
Type: |
Twin engine private aircraft
to company specification
|
|
Wing: |
Low wing cantilever monoplane
of spruce structure covered in
plywood. 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 two fins and rudders.
Fins are on ends of tailplane
|
|
Landing Gear: |
Retractable main gear retract
rearwards into engine
nacelles. Tail wheel
|
|
Power Plant: |
Two 100 hp Blackburn Cirrus
Minor II engine in nacelles on
wing |
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Accommodation: |
Seating for up to four in
enclosed cabin above the wing
|
|
Dimensions |
|
Span: |
36 ft 2 in |
|
Length: |
22 ft 2 in |
|
Height: |
7
ft 6 in |
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Wing Area: |
191 sq ft |
|
Weights |
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Empty: |
1,930 lb |
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All-up: |
3,000 lb |
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Performance |
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Max Speed: |
146 mph |
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Rate of Climb: |
606 ft/min |
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Service Ceiling: |
11,300 ft |
|
Range: |
990 miles |
|
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