Miles M 4 Merlin performance and specifications

In 1935, Mr Miles produced the Merlin, and aircraft capable of carrying five people and their luggage in comfort.

The Merlin, which was designed to the order of Birkett Airways Limited and Tata Air Lines, fitted with a 200 hp Gipsy Six engine and required to carry five persons, including the pilot, at a cruising speed of 145 mph.

In spite of the fact that no variable pitch airscrew could be obtained by the time the Merlin was completed, the take-off run was only a little longer than that of the Falcon and the specified performance was easily attained, with a maximum speed of 155 mph., which gave an advantage of 20-25 mph over the other types then available.

With a cruising range of some 700 miles the Merlin gave excellent service, the prototype undertaking many interesting and exciting charter journeys, including a flight to the Abyssinian capital at the time of the Italian invasion. Other Merlins were used on passenger and mail routes in India and Victoria, Australia.
 

Design Company:

Phillips & Powis Aircraft Ltd

First Flight:

11 May 1935

M.4 Merlin:

4 - Phillips & Powis, Woodley

Type Specification

Applies to:

Miles M.4 Merlin

Type:

Five seat cabin monoplane to requirements of Birkett Air Services

Wing:

Low wing cantilever monoplane of spruce structure covered in plywood

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:

Two main wheels, each in aerodynamic fairing beneath wing. Tail wheel

Power Plant:

One 200 hp de Havilland Gipsy Six engine in the nose

Accommodation:

Enclosed cabin for five passengers in two rows

Dimensions

Span:

37 ft

Length:

25 ft 10 in

Height:

7 ft 5 in

Wing Area:

196 sq ft

Weights

Empty:

1,700 lb

All-up:

3,050 lb

Performance

Max Speed:

155 mph

Rate of Climb:

900 ft/min