Aeronautical progress during the
1914-18 war, meant that the
aeroplane had graduated from a
fair-weather vehicle for the few
to an everyday vehicle for the
many. With this in mind, in 1924
the Air Ministry held a
competition with the object of
discovering a light two-seat
machine, of low power and
economical operation, suitable
for the owner-pilot.
The immediate result of this
competition was disappointing,
because all the entries proved
to be underpowered, but the
long-term effect was to interest
designers in light aeroplane
problems and, eventually, to
lead to a number of highly
successful two-seat
private-owner types.
These machines were mainly of
the tandem open-cockpit variety,
similar in arrangement to the
early Hawk monoplanes, and it
was not until 1936 that the
class neared an ideal in the
Miles Whitney Straight
side-by-side cabin monoplane.
This aeroplane was the result of
collaboration between the
wealthy aviation enthusiast Mr.
Whitney Straight, who then
operated a series of flying
clubs in various parts of the
country, and Mr. Miles, both
having almost identical ideas on
the form of a modern light
aeroplane.
The prototype Whitney Straight
(G-AECT) first flown on 14th May
1936 and its all-round good
qualities exceeded expectations,
comfortable and easy to fly,
with a top speed of 145 mph. and
a fuel consumption of over 20
miles to the gallon. Immediate
production followed the
successful flight tests, and 50
M.11A, M.11B and M.11C aircraft
were sold in almost every part
of the world over the next two
years. A number of these were
used for experimental purposes,
including the testing of various
engines and, on the prototype,
of auxiliary aerofoil flaps, the
data gained proving beneficial
to later Miles aircraft. A later
model, known as the M.11 C, was
fitted with the Gipsy Major
Series II engine and a variable
pitch airscrew, this combination
giving a remarkable take-off and
climb performance.
Perhaps one of the finest
demonstrations of the all-round
handling qualities of the
machine was provided by the
result of the 1937 King's Cup
Air Race, in which General Lewin,
then aged sixty-three, flew his
own Whitney Straight into second
place after a very close
contest.
On the outbreak of war, in 1939,
most of the Whitney Straights in
Britain were requisitioned for
R.A.F. communication duties,
including 23 for the RAF (21 in
the UK and two in India), and
three for the Royal New Zealand
Air Force. Many were still
giving good and faithful service
after five arduous years.
An improved model of the M.11
was developed with three-seat
accommodation and flown as the
M.17 Monarch on 21st February
1938.
Crew:
two
Length:
25 ft (7.6 m)
Wingspan: 35 ft 8 in
(10.9 m)
Height:
6 ft 6 in (2.0 m)
Wing area: 178 ft² (16.5
m²)
Empty:
1,250 lb (570 kg)
Loaded:
2,000 lb (900 kg)
Powerplant: 1 x de Havilland
Gipsy Major I (The de Havilland
gipsy major was a 4-cylinder,
air-cooled, inline engine used
in a variety of light
aircraft...)
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