The Whitney Straight design was so popular, that Miles decided to take advantage of this and improve it even further, whilst maintaining the standard of quality and its general form.

In 1938, they produced an improved model, incorporating all the features which experience with the Whitney Straight had shown to be desirable.

The new model, which was named the Monarch, had an additional seat and was luxuriously finished both internally and externally, embodying such refinements as a fool-proof glide-control and a special one-piece moulded windscreen of increased depth. The wings, which did not fold for stowage, were interchangeable with those of the Magister, which was then in full production.

Numerous Monarchs were built and sold, but Service demands for the Master I trainer prevented production in sufficient numbers to meet the great demand. The Monarch, however, together with the Whitney Straight, gave excellent war service on R.A.F. communication duties, and many of both types were still in operation in 1944.

 

Design Company	Phillips & Powis Aircraft Ltd
First Flight:	21 February 1938
M.17 Monarch:	11 - Phillips & Powis, Woodley
Type Specification
Applies to:	Miles M.17 Monarch
Type:	Cabin monoplane, to replace Whitney Straight
Wing:	Low wing cantilever monoplane of spruce structure covered in plywood. Centre section has no dihedral and is of constant section, outer sections have dihedral and taper towards the tip. Split flaps fitted as standard
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:	Fixed main wheels in fairings beneath wing. Tail wheel
Power Plant:	One 130 hp de Havilland Gipsy Major in nose
Accommodation:	Seats for three in enclosed cabin
Dimensions
Span:	35 ft 7 in
Length:	26 ft
Height:	8 ft 9 in
Wing Area:	180 sq ft
Weights
Empty:	1,390 lb
All-up:	2,150 lb
Performance
Max Speed:	140 mph
Rate of Climb:	850 ft/min
Service Ceiling:	17,400 ft
Range:	910 miles