MILES M.28
- Private-venture design in 1939 for communications and training aircraft
to succeed Whitney Straight. Four examples built during wartime period,
as follows, and two more post-war.
Miles M.28 Mk I: Prototype U-0232 with 130 hp DH Gipsy Major I, two seats
side-by-side with dual controls and thickened wing centre-section to enclose
wheels fully when retracted. Built at Liverpool Road works in Reading,
so also known as L.R.I. First flight July 11, 1941. Retained in use by
Miles until 1942.
Miles M.28 Mk II: Prototype U-0237 (later HM583), with 140 hp DH Gipsy
Major IIA, third seat in cabin and extra side windows. Flown September
1942 and used by company for communications duty.
Miles M.28 Mk III: Configured as three-seat trainer (instructor in rear)
with 150 hp Blackburn Cirrus Major III, more rear cabin window area, and
thinner wing centre-section leaving wheels projecting when retracted.
Flown June 1943 as U-0242, evaluated in training role as PW937 and returned
to Miles.
Miles M.28 Mk IV: Similar to Mk III, but with four seats and used by Miles
for communications, with 145 hp DH Gipsy Major IIA engine. First flown
July 1944, and marked as U-0243.
Data for Miles M.28 Mk II:
Max speed, 159 mph (259 kmlh). Time to 10,000 ft (3,050 m), 14 min. Range,
408 mis (656 km). Empty weight, 1,658 Ib (752 kg ). Gross weight, 2,500
Ib (1,134 kg). Span, 30 ft 8 in (9.35 m). Length, 24ft 0 in (7.31 m).
Wing area, 162 sq ft (15.05m2).
