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| Miles' previous experience with the Southern Martlet and Metal Martlet biplanes led to the desire to build a two-seat monoplane replacement for biplanes which had virtually cornered the market. The result was the M.2 Hawk,
flown in March 1933 and the forerunner of a brilliant series of Miles monoplanes. Powered originally by the 71kW Cirrus IIIA engine, later M.2c aircraft offered the 89kW de Havilland Gipsy III. Other variants included the M.2a with an enclosed cabin, M.2b single-seat long-range version with an
89kW Hermes IV engine, and the three-seat M.2d. Hawk production totalled 55.
Further development of the basic type led to the Hawk Major series (64 built), beginning with the M.2F with the 97kW de Havilland Gipsy Major engine and encompassing a whole range of variants up to the M.2T. Single-seat racing models were known as the Hawk Speed Six; three were built with 149kW Gipsy Six engines, and another somewhat smaller racing variant was the M.5 Sparrowhawk, of which five were built. The prototype survived the war and in 1953 was
modified considerably by the installation of two 150kg thrust Turbomeca Palas jet engines to become the M.77 Sparrowjet with a speed of 370km/h. The final pre-war development was the Hawk Trainer, of which 25 were built, and the basic design was later developed into the M.14 Magister.
| Stan Wolfson, e-mail, 22.08.2017 06:50 Does anyone have any precise details about a Miles Hawk airplane which left Croydon Field and made a forced landing on the playing fields of Colfe's Grammar School in Lee, South London, in the early 50s ? reply |
| Miguel VazPinto, e-mail, 10.06.2015 01:21 ++ during the spanish civil war++ reply | | Miguel VazPinto, e-mail, 10.06.2015 01:18 My father flew several times with this aircraft(Miles Hawk Gipsy Major 120 HP) who belonged to his uncle(Pequito Rebelo). Our uncle flew during the civil as airmail and was near shot down but could land with severe injuries. Later back in Portugal and during take-off he crashed,survive but the aircraft was destroyed by the flames. I still have a small souvenir that is the a piece of the propeller. We have in the family several pictures of this aircraft.
My father always told me that this was an aircraft very smooth and very easy to pilot. reply | | fredrick reddel, e-mail, 13.05.2013 18:15 How can I send you a couple of pictures of the airplano to post them here? reply | |
| | Bernie Mackenzie, e-mail, 04.02.2013 20:15 I was an apprentice with Wright Aviation (Liverpool and North Wales Flying Cub)in the 1950s. We had G-ALOG for a number of years before it was written off in 1955? Sqdrn Ldr G C (Wilbur) Wright flew it in the Kings Cup air race in 1953 and came 6th, it then had spats which improved it's looks no end, it was a lovely aeroplane. It was mostly used for trianing ATC cadets and club members for spins before going solo on the Auster aircraft.....Those were the days!!!! reply |
| John Perry, e-mail, 28.02.2011 02:18 Was Apprentice at Wolverhampton Aviation Ltd UK in early 50's! .. several Ex RAF Magisters maintained there and used for Club Flight Training! .. one Miles Aircraft of note was the last example of a Miles Hawk Speed Six owned by the Manager of the Firm, R R Paine! .. aircraft had Gipsy Major Six with Metal Prop and Starter Motor removed! .. hand swinging that beast was not a pleasant task.
Ronnie Paine was overjoyed when the only other example of that Aircraft was destroyed by fire I believe in South Africa! ... this apparently meant just by entering that Aircraft in a Race event produced an award. ... this Aircraft I do believe still exists and Paine himself would work on the machine at it's C of A. This article brings back a lot of memories reply | | John Fox, e-mail, 21.12.2010 23:29 My late father flew occasionally in G-ACSC from Skegness in the 1930s. I have a photograph of him standing beside the aircraft prior to a flight. reply | | Anthony Thorpe, e-mail, 05.01.2010 21:28 My uncle, Dick Bentley, flew this type for seceral years as a Shell aviation rep in the 1930's. I have a photo of him in the plane. reply | | Fredrick Reddel Hyland - Argen, e-mail, 22.10.2009 01:10 as titled; "About Franco Bianco. Pioneer of civil aviation in Southern Patagonia." I'm married to Maria Luisa Bianco, the smaller dougther of Franco Bianco, at the moment the airplane is completly restored and will be sended back from Chiles capital city ( santiago) to Punta Arenas in an Hercules C-130 to be in the centennial of Biancos Birth celebration.
the 3rd. of nov. of 2009.
Incredible pionner and outstanding friend & bussinesman. reply | | Mario Brigando, e-mail, 17.07.2009 23:30 I'm writing a book about Franco Bianco. Pioneer of civil aviation in Southern Patagonia. He opened the commercial route from Punta Arenas to Puerto Montt and Santiago (Chile) with a Miles Hawk Trainer code CC-FBB in 1936!!
It was a solo flight and with his own solutions for increasing fuel availabilty, instruments and equipment. Mapping, weather support and logistics almost nonexistent.
I knew him well when living in Punta Arenas myself.
This year would be his 100th birthday and We'll celebrate it with his family, with the book, a photo exposition and perhaps some conferences.
He also made other important flights:
1.- he continued the above raid flying back to Punta Arenas through Mendoza, Buenos Aires- Punta Arenas.
2.- A Punta Arenas - Buenos Aires- Rio de Janeiro and back.
3.- in 1938 Punta Arenas- Santiago - Lima and back.
I'm looking for any information, plans, photos, instruments and anything could be of help.
Thanks in advance. reply |
| mr smith, e-mail, 08.07.2009 23:21 Hello Ernest Harrison,my father flew G-ADWT as part of rustons flying club in the 50's,would love to know if you have anymore info,thanks. reply | | Rodney Heskins, e-mail, 18.05.2009 22:02 Just a thought line my father Alf was one of the people that built and inspired what it should be and was one of the engineers who went with it when it was raced reply | | jose a.chicharro, e-mail, 14.10.2008 23:54 Nice to know there are some people interested in this aircraft type.Soon, I hope, Miles Hawk Major M2H EC-W44 c /n 172 will be back in the air.This airplane was flying during the Spanish Civil War and had the registration EC-ABI before being cancelled in the Sapanish Civil Register.Has anybody flown one and say something more???. reply | | Richard Thompson, e-mail, 27.07.2008 12:24 G-AEGR, a Miles Hawk Major M2H crashed at Midgham, Berks on April 27th 1937, killing the young author and critic Peter Burra (the pilot escaped with minor injuries). Does anybody know anything about this aircraft which was part of the Phillips and Powis stable at Woodley Aerodrome, reading? I would like to see an example of the Hawk Major, either flying or otherwise, and to talk with someone who flew these aircraft. Can you help?
Dr Richard Thompson reply | |
| | Ernest Harrison, e-mail, 30.04.2008 09:19 In 1952 as a member of the Central Flying Group, I flew the Hawk G-ADWT ( Hence the E-Mail address )from Croydon Airfield, before Fr McGilvery bought her, The Aircraft was bought from Oskosh and is now back in the U.K. fully restored by the Newbury Areoplane Co in Hungerford Berkshire for Mr Brian Morris,I last saw and heard of the aircraft at Abbingdon two years ago. reply | | R Graham Bailey, e-mail, 09.12.2007 03:09 I learned to fly at age 17 in G-ALOG - Miles Magister from Liverpool Airport . My most vivid memory is of when I forced landed in a storm on a mountain side field in the Pennines in the UK -aircraft undamaged I found the aircraft a complete delight to fly. I have always felt grateful to the designers (for my life!) for producing an aircraft that I was able to control in such difficult weather conditions after only 9 hours total flying time, I don't suppose this particular aicraft now exists. reply | | Graham Patterson, e-mail, 17.06.2007 06:59 About 1968, Fr. M. McGilvery, the R.C. Padre at RCAF Station Winnipeg, Canada, returned from a tour overseas with a Miles Hawk. He had paid the captain of a freighter a case of scotch to bring her to home. She had seen better days. F /L Bernie LaPoint and Flight Sergeant Pat Patterson, fresh off a total rebuild of a Westland Lysander, now in the Canadian National Air Museum, tore the Hawk apart and totaly rebuilt her. She won the 1969 EAA Antique Monoplane Award. I believe Fr. MaGilvery donated the aircraft to the EAA Oskosh Museum.
She was a sweet old girl and a delight to fly. reply |
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Bernie Mackenzie
Hi Stan
Nothing to do with your post but could you plesse contact me re The Connellan air disaster in Alice springs in 1977.
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