Miles Gemini
| Miles Gemini | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Role | Twin-engined touring aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Miles Aircraft |
| First flight | 1945 |
| Introduction | 1946 |
| Produced | 1945-1947 |
| Number built | 170 |
| Developed from | Miles Messenger |
The Miles M.65 Gemini was a British twin-engined four-seat touring aircraft designed and built by Miles Aircraft at Woodley Aerodrome. It was the last Miles aircraft to be produced in quantity.
It was described by the manufacturer as the "safest light aeroplane in the world"
Designed as a twin-engined retractable landing gear version of the earlier Miles Messenger the Gemini first flew on 26 October 1945. The Gemini was a four-seat low-wing cantilever monoplane of plastic-bonded plywood construction. It had twin vertical tail units. Originally powered by 90 hp (67,5 kW) Blackburn Cirrus Minor engines, the aircraft was put into large scale production straight away and 130 Geminis were sold in the first year. Later variants were fitted with different engines.
After the collapse of Miles Aircraft in 1947 eight aircraft had not been completed and they were assembled by Handley Page (Reading) Limited at Woodley (two in 1950); Wolverhampton Aviation at Wolverhampton's Pendeford Aerodrome (five in 1951); and by F. G. Miles Limited at Redhill Aerodrome (one).
The aircraft was popular with private owners for touring throughout Europe and many were exported to Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and other Commonwealth countries. In the late 1940s and early 1950s they were frequently entered in air races, with G-AKDC flown by J.N. 'Nat' Somers AFC winning the 1949 King's Cup Air Race (a handicapped event) at 164.25 mph, this aircraft was fitted with de Havilland Gipsy Majors rated at 145 hp each.
Several aircraft were used as light business transports by commercial firms including Shell-Mex and B.P. Ltd, Fairey Aviation and B.K.S Engineering. Other examples were flown by UK independent airlines on light charter work within the U.K. and Europe.
Two examples completed in 1951 by F. G. Miles were fitted with 155 hp (116 kW) Blackburn Cirrus Major III engines and provided with enlarged and heightened fins. These were re-designated the Miles M.75 Aries
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