Miles M.25 Martinet

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80 years ago today the prototype of the Miles Martinet was flown for the first time.

 

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To meet RAF requirements for a specialised target-tug, F G Miles designed the M.25 Martinet powered by a 649 kw (870 hp) Bristol Mercury XX or XXX engine, providing accommodation for a pilot and winch operator, the aircraft to carry six flag or sleeve targets which were housed under the centre fuselage, together with space for the towing cable and winch mechanism. The prototype of the design, the M.25 Martinet (LR241), flew for the first time on 24 April 1942 and, following service trials, entered production at the Company’s Woodley, UK facility, replacing the Miles Master II on the production line.

 

By the time production ended some 1,724 had been supplied to the RAF and RN, and they served in their design role in various parts of the world. In the United Kingdom, 14 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation units used the type to train anti-aircraft gunners, and others served with Gunnery Schools and Operational Training Units. After World War II they served with the 2nd Tactical Air Force in Germany, four were civilianised in Sweden by Svensk Flygtjanst for target towing (SE-BCP, SE-BCO, SE-NCN and SE-AZD), and two in the United Kingdom (G-AJZB and G-AJZC) served with W S Shackleton Ltd. One (PW979) was modified to Queen Martinet configuration for radio-controlled pilotless duties, and later 65 more were converted.