Miles Martinet

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M.25 Martinet
Type Target tug
Manufacturer Miles Aircraft
Maiden flight 24 April 1942
Primary users Royal Air Force
Fleet Air Arm
Produced 1942-1945
Number built 1,724

The Miles M.25 Martinet was a target tug aircraft of the Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm that was in service during World War II. It was the first British aircraft to be designed specifically for the role of towing targets. Based upon the Miles Master II, the Martinet featured a strengthened airframe to handle the stresses of towing a target drogue. Other differences from the Master included a longer nose, higher cockpit and greater wing span but otherwise the two aircraft shared many common components. The targets and towing gear were contained in a fairing beneath the fuselage and were retracted by an external, wind-powered winch.

The first prototype of the Martinet was flown on April 24, 1942. In total 1,724 Martinets were produced by Miles Aircraft Ltd for the RAF and FAA to meet Air Ministry Specification 12/41. Production continued until the end of the war.

There were two other variants of the Martinet. The M.50 Queen Martinet was a radio-controlled target drone of which 65 were built and a further 17 produced through conversion of an M.25. The M.37 Martinet Trainer was developed during the war but only two were ever produced.

Contents

[edit] Variants

  • M.25 Martinet: Two-seat target tug aircraft. The M.25 Martinet was used by both the RAF and the Royal Navy, under the designation Martinet TT.Mk I.
  • M.50 Queen Martinet: Unmanned radio-controlled target drone.
  • M.37 Martinet Trainer: Two-seat training aircraft. Only two were built.

[edit] Operators

Flag of the United Kingdom United Kingdom

[edit] Specifications (M.25)

Data from [1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: two
  • Length: 30 ft 11 in (9.42 m)
  • Wingspan: 39 ft (11.89 m)
  • Height: 11 ft 7 in (3.53 m)
  • Wing area: 242 ft² (22.48 m²)
  • Empty weight: 4,600 lb (2,090 kg)
  • Loaded weight: 6,680 lb (3,030 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 6,750 lb (3,062 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1× Bristol Mercury 20 or 30 radial engine, 870 hp (649 kW)

Performance

[edit] See also

List of aircraft of the RAF
Related development M.9 - M.19 - M.24 - M.27

[edit] References

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Mondey 1994, p. 171.

[edit] Bibliography

  • Amos, Peter. and Brown, Don Lambert. Miles Aircraft Since 1925, Volume 1. London: Putnam Aeronautical, 2000. ISBN 0-85177-787-0.
  • Brown, Don Lambert. Miles Aircraft Since 1925. London: Putnam & Company Ltd., 1970. ISBN 0-37000-127-3.
  • Mondey, David. The Hamlyn Concise Guide to British Aircraft of World War II. London: Chancellor Press, 1994. ISBN 1-85152-668-4.

[edit] External links

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Miles aircraft

Southern Martlet • M.1 Satyr • M.2 Hawk • M.2 Hawk Major • M.2 Hawk Speed Six • M.2 Hawk Trainer • M.3A Falcon Major • M.3B Falcon Six • M.4 Merlin • M.5 Sparrowhawk • M.6 Hawcon • M.7 Nighthawk • M.8 Peregrine • M.9 Kestrel • M.9A Master I • M.11 Whitney Straight • M.12 Mohawk • M.13 Hobby • M.14 Magister • M.15 T.1/37 • M.16 Mentor • M.17 Monarch • M.18 • M.19 Master II • M.20 • M.24 Master Fighter • M.25 Martinet • M.26 • M.27 Master III • M.28 Mercury • M.30 X Minor • M.33 Monitor • M.35 Libellula • M.37 Martinet Trainer • M.38 Messenger • M.39 Libellula • M.50 Queen Martinet • M.52 • M.57 Aerovan • M.60 Marathon I • M.65 Gemini • M.68 Boxcar • M.69 Marathon II • M.71 Merchantman • M.75 Aries • M.77 Sparrowjet • M.100 Student • M.105
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