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‘George’s first design’ The Miles Whitney Straight of 1936 had proved to be a great success, both in the U.K. and abroad, primarily in its role as the ideal aircraft for flying schools. The following year it was decided to introduce an improved version incorporating all the best features of its predecessor, but designed as a comfortable long-distance tourer for three people. The standard version had a range of over 600 miles and, with larger tanks fitted, the range could be increased to 900 miles and a duration of over seven hours. An interesting safety feature was the linking of the throttle and the flaps lever, to give what was known as ’glide control’. George Miles designed the Monarch, as it was called, and also managed its small production line in the Repair & Service Department, the main factory being heavily committed to production of the Magister. The first Monarch flew in June 1938 but only eleven were completed before the outbreak of the War curtailed any further production. _____________________ |
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Painted in watercolours. 1999. 200mm x 175mm. |