Miles Monitor - The
Miles M.33 Monitor was an optimised twin-engined target-tug to Specification
Q.9/42, combining wooden wings with metal fuselage (Miles' first use of
stressed-skin construction). Powered by two 1,700 hp Wright R-2600-31
Cyclone engines, the Monitor'had a crew of two and an internal hydraulic
winch for drogue targets trailed through ventral hatch.
Miles Monitor TT Mk I: RAF version. Prototype (NF900) first flown April
5, 1944. Planned production cancelled.
Miles Monitor TT Mk II: RN version, introducing dive brakes and dorsal
cupola. Prototype (NF904) first flown December 2, 1944. Planned production
of 500 cut to 20, none of which entered service.
Max speed, 330 mph (531 km/h)
at 15,000ft (4,572 m). Time to 15,000ft (4,572 m), 6.4 min. Service ceiling,
29,000 ft (8,839 m). Max range, 2,750 mis (4,426 km}.Empty weight, 15,850
Ib (7,190 kg). Gross weight, 21,075 Ib (9,560 kg). Span, 56ft 3 in (17.15
m). Length, 47 ft 8 in (14.53 m). Wing area, SOOsqft (46.45m2).
