Miles M 18 performance and specifications

The Magister trainer had been built in many hundreds by 1938, but Mr Miles felt that he could produce an even better machine within similar specification limits, and proved his theories with the Trainer M.18, which flew for the first time in 1939. Beyond the fact that it was a tandem two-seat low-wing monoplane, the M.18 had nothing in common with the Magister.

The main design considerations were ease of handling and serviceability, and these aims were attained in a high degree, the machine being most delightful to fly, with controls light and positive right down to the stall.

In the course of extended trials several variants of the M.18 were tested, with open and enclosed cockpits, tail-wheel and tricycle undercarriages, and with the Gipsy Major and Cirrus Major engines, the combined results proving that the machine was an ideal training type.

After successful official acceptance trials the M.18 was ordered for quantity production, but the order was almost immediately reversed because the existing biplane design was in large-scale manufacture. Then, in 1942, the machine was again ordered for production, but official policy was again changed and the M.18 was cancelled once more.

 

Design Company:

Phillips & Powis Aircraft Ltd

First Flight:

4 December 1938

M.18:

3 - Phillips & Powis, Woodley

M.18.HL:

1 - Phillips & Powis, Woodley

Type Specification

Applies to:

Miles M.18

Type:

Two seat basic trainer to replace Magister

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 150 hp Blackburn Cirrus Major air cooled inline engine in nose

Accommodation:

Tandem open cockpits for crew above wing

Dimensions

Span:

31 ft

Length:

24 ft 10 in

Height:

9 ft 4 in

Wing Area:

183 sq ft

Weights

Empty:

1,300 lb

All-up:

1,903 lb

Performance

Max Speed:

135 mph

Rate of Climb:

780 ft/min

Service Ceiling:

12,400 ft

Range:

376 miles