Miles Hawk
Miles Aircraft · United Kingdom · first flew 1933 · light aircraft
The Miles Hawk was a small single-engine low-wing monoplane designed by F.G. Miles in the early 1930s, serving as a sporting and private aircraft and the progenitor of the successful Miles trainer family. Its clean wooden construction and pleasant handling made it popular with private owners.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.32 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Small prewar British low-wing monoplane trainer
- Tandem open cockpit with tapered wooden wing
- Clean lines anticipating the later Miles Magister series
A neat low-wing monoplane with a rounded fuselage, tapered wings, and fixed spatted undercarriage; the tandem open or enclosed cockpits and clean nose line distinguish it from contemporary high-wing light aircraft.
Specifications
- The Miles Hawk has a length of 7.32 m (24 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.06 m (33 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 185 km/h (115 mph).
- Typical crew: 1-2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed by Frederick George Miles and first flown in 1933, the Hawk established the basic formula that Miles Aircraft would refine through the Kestrel, Whitney Straight, and eventually the Magister military trainer. It was produced in modest numbers and was exported to several countries. The design demonstrated that a low-wing monoplane could be a practical and safe private aircraft.
Variants
The Hawk family spawned several derivatives including the Hawk Major with a more powerful engine and the Hawk Trainer; each retained the basic formula of the original.
Where you'll see it
Used by private owners and flying clubs across the United Kingdom and in several Commonwealth countries during the 1930s; some served as basic trainers in the early war period.
Related aircraft
- Miles Falcon
- Miles Magister
- Miles Master
- Miles M.20
- Beriev MP-1
- British Aircraft Swallow
- Cessna CR-3
- de Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth
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