Miles Hawk, Hawk Major and Hawk Trainer
The Miles M.2 Hawk and Hawk Major were British two-seat light monoplanes designed by Miles Aircraft Limited in the 1930s.
Design and development
The Hawk was designed in 1933 by F.G. Miles. Unusual for the time, the Hawk was a low-wing cantilever monoplane with wings designed to be folded. It had an open cockpit for two in tandem. The prototype powered by a 95 hp ADC Cirrus IIIA engine was built by Philips and Powis Limited (now known as Miles Aircraft) at Woodley Aerodrome and first flew on the 29 March 1933. The aircraft sold well for the time, the price of only 395 pounds and the benefits of a monoplane (it did not need to be rigged). A number of one off variants were built, including a cabin monoplane (M.2A), a long-range single-seater (M.2B) and three-seat versions for joy riding (M.2D). In 1934 due to a shortage of Cirrus engines an improved version was introduced, the Miles Hawk Major.
Variants
- M.2 : Production two-seat version with one 95 hp A.D.C. Cirrus IIIA engine.
- M.2A : Cabin version powered by a de Havilland Gipsy III engine, one built.
- M.2B : Long-range single-seater powered by an A.D.C Cirrus Hermes IV, one-built.
- M.2C : Re-engined with one 120 hp de Havilland Gipsy III engine, one built.
- M.2D : Three-seat version with one 95 hp A.D.C. Cirrus IIIA engine, six built.
Military operators
- Australia : Royal Australian Air Force - Two aircraft
- New Zealand : Royal New Zealand Air Force
- South Africa : South African Air Force
Miles Hawk Major
The Hawk Major was designed as a successor to the Miles Hawk by F.G. Miles. Main changes were a de Havilland Gipsy III engine, metal (instead of wood) engine mount, and trousered undercarriage. The prototype (designated M.2F Hawk Major) was first flown in 1934 and went on to second place in the 1934 King's Cup Race at an average speed of 147.78 mph. A racing version was developed as the one-off single-seat M.2E Gipsy Six Hawk with a 200 hp de Havilland Gipsy Six engine. The production Hawk Major had the 130 hp de Havilland Gipsy Major engine. The aircraft sold well to private owners, including two that were fitted with smoke generators to allow them to be used as skywriters. An improved version (the M.2H) with a trailing edge flap replaced the M.2F on the production line. A number of special one-off racing versions were also built. In October 1934, Squadron Leader Malcolm Charles McGregor flew a Hawk Major from RAF Mildenhall to Melbourne, Australia in 7 days, 15 hours while competing in the MacRobertson Air Race. In 1936 Miles Hawk VI, G-ADOD was entered into the Schlesinger Race from Portsmouth to Johannesburg and flown by A. E. Clouston who nearly made it all the way to Johannesburg but had to make a forced crash landing due to engine trouble 150 miles south of Salisbury.
In 1935, an improved version for training use was developed as the Miles Hawk Trainer.
Variants
- M.2E Gipsy Six Hawk (later Hawk Speed Six) : Single-seat racing version powered by a 200 hp de Havilland Gipsy Six engine, one built.
- M.2F Hawk Major : Production version powered by a de Havilland Gipsy Major engine.
- M.2G Hawk Major : Three-seat cabin version, one built.
- M.2H Hawk Major : Production version powered by a de Havilland Gipsy Major engine.
- M.2K Hawk Major : Powered by a 105 hp Cirrus Hermes II engine, one built.
- M.2L Hawk Speed Six : Powered by a 200 hp de Havilland Gipsy Six 1F engine, one built.
- M.2M Hawk Major : Three-seat version powered by a de Havilland Gipsy Major engine, two built.
- M.2P Hawk Major : Dual control version powered by a de Havilland Gipsy Major engine, three built.
- M.2R Hawk Major de Luxe : Racing version powered by a de Havilland Gipsy Major engine, two built.
- M.2S : Long-range version Powered by a 150 hp Blackburn Cirrus Major engine.
- M.2T : Long-range single-seater powered by 150 hp Blackburn Cirrus Major engine, two built.
- M.2U Hawk Speed Six : Racing version powered by a de Havilland Gipsy Major Six R engine, one built.
Survivors
- M.2L Speed Six registered G-ADGP was airworthy in 2009 and based at White Waltham Airfield near Maidenhead, Berkshire.
Operators
- United Kingdom : Royal Air Force.
Miles M.2 Hawk Trainer
The Miles Hawk Trainer was developed from the Hawk Major to meet a requirement to supplement the de Havilland Tiger Moth in the training role. The aircraft had dual controls, blind flying equipment and vacuum operated flaps. In 1937 the design was further developed to meet an Air Ministry specification for a trainer and became the M.14 Magister.
Variants
- M.2W Hawk Trainer : Initial production version powered by a de Havilland Gipsy Major engine, four built.
- M.2X Hawk Trainer : Improved version with a larger horn-balanced rudder, nine built.
- M.2Y Hawk Trainer : M.2X with minor changes, 13 built.
Note that Hawk Trainer Mk II and Mk III were variants of the Miles Magister.
Operators
- Romania : Royal Romanian Air Force.
- United Kingdom : Royal Air Force.
- Spain : Spanish Republican Air Force.
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