Miles Master
Miles Aircraft · United Kingdom · first flew 1938 · light aircraft
The Miles Master was a high-performance advanced monoplane trainer that prepared RAF pilots for the Hurricane and Spitfire during the Second World War. Its handling qualities closely mimicked those of frontline fighters, making it essential to the wartime training pipeline.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.07 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Low-wing monoplane advanced trainer with tandem cockpits
- Long greenhouse-style canopy over both seats
- Retractable undercarriage with characteristic inward-folding legs
Characterised by its long tapered low wing, continuous glazed tandem canopy, and elegant retractable undercarriage; the radial-engined Mk II and III are immediately distinguished from the Mk I's inline Kestrel by the blunter nose profile.
Specifications
- The Miles Master has a length of 9.07 m (30 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.43 m (37 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 487 km/h (303 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed to Specification T.6/36, the Master first flew in 1938 and entered service in 1939. Over 3,200 were built in three marks powered variously by Rolls-Royce Kestrel, Bristol Mercury, and Pratt & Whitney Wasp engines. The type served throughout the war and was finally retired from service in 1950.
Variants
The Mk I used the Rolls-Royce Kestrel XXX, the Mk II switched to the Bristol Mercury XX radial for simpler maintenance, and the Mk III used the American Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior; a small number of Mk IIs were converted as target tugs.
Where you'll see it
No complete Miles Master survives anywhere — only sections and wreck recoveries; the related Magister flies at Shuttleworth.
Related aircraft
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.