Miles Gemini

Development

Designed as a twin-engined retractable landing gear version of the earlier Miles Messenger the Gemini first flew on 26 October 1945. The Gemini was a four-seat low-wing cantilever monoplane of plastic-bonded plywood construction. It had twin vertical tail units. Originally powered by 90 hp (67,5 kW) Blackburn Cirrus Minor engines, the aircraft was put into large scale production straight away and 130 Geminis were sold in the first year. Later variants were fitted with different engines.

After the collapse of Miles Aircraft in 1947 eight aircraft had not been completed and they were assembled by Handley Page (Reading) Limited at Woodley (two in 1950); Wolverhampton Aviation at Wolverhampton's Pendeford Aerodrome (five in 1951); and by F. G. Miles Limited at Redhill Aerodrome (one).

Operational history

The aircraft was popular with private owners for touring throughout Europe and many were exported to Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and other Commonwealth countries. In the late 1940s and early 1950s they were frequently entered in air races, with G-AKDC flown by J.N. 'Nat' Somers AFC winning the 1949 King's Cup Air Race (a handicapped event) at 164.25 mph, this aircraft was fitted with de Havilland Gipsy Majors rated at 145 hp each.

Several aircraft were used as light business transports by commercial firms including Shell-Mex and B.P. Ltd, Fairey Aviation and B.K.S Engineering. Other examples were flown by UK independent airlines on light charter work within the U.K. and Europe.

Two examples completed in 1951 by F. G. Miles were fitted with 155 hp (116 kW) Blackburn Cirrus Major III engines and provided with enlarged and heightened fins. These were re-designated the Miles M.75 Aries

Variants

Gemini 1

Prototype with two 100 hp Blackburn Cirrus Minor 2 engines and fixed landing gear, one built.

Gemini 1A

Production version with two 100 hp Blackburn Cirrus Minor 2 engines, 134 built, plus one assembled by Handley Page (Reading).

Gemini 1B

Production version with two 100 hp Blackburn Cirrus Minor 2 engines, one built.

Gemini 2

Version with two 130 hp Lycoming O-290-3/1 engines, 2 built.

Gemini 3

Version with two 145 hp de Havilland Gipsy Major 1C engines, 1 built, plus one assembled by Handley Page (Reading) and one by F.G.Miles.

Gemini 3A

Version with 145 hp de Havilland Gipsy Major 10 Mk 1 engines, 2 built plus 5 assembled by Wolverhampton Aviation.

Gemini 3B

Version with 145 hp de Havilland Gipsy Major 10 Mk 1-3 engines

Gemini 3C or 7

Version with 145 hp de Havilland Gipsy Major 10 Mk 2 engines, two built

Gemini 8

Early aircraft modified to Aries standard with two 155 hp Blackburn Cirrus Major 3 engines.

Aries

Version with two 155hp Blackburn Cirrus Major 3 engines driving Miles-Reed propellers.

Operators

 Israel

Israeli Air Force.

 New Zealand

National Airways Corporation - One Gemini was owned by NAC.

 United Kingdom

Air Contractors

Blue Line Airways

Culliford Airlines

Derby Aviation

Hornton Airways

International Airways

Lancashire Aircraft Corporation

Loxhams Flying Services

Sivewright Airways

Starways

Ulster Aviation

Wirral Airways

Wright Aviation

Survivors

Six aircraft are currently registered on the British Civil Aircraft register as of 2017. One Gemini 1A is also active in the Swedish aircraft register.

Specifications (Gemini 1A)

Data from British Civil Aircraft 1919-1972: Volume III

General characteristics

Crew: 1

Capacity: 3 passengers

Length: 22 ft 3 in (6.78 m)

Wingspan: 36 ft 2 in (11.03 m)

Height: 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m)

Wing area: 191 ft² (17.8 m²)

Empty weight: 1,910 lb (868 kg)

Gross weight: 3,000 lb (1,364 kg)

Powerplant: 2 × Blackburn Cirrus Minor 2 in-line piston engine, 100 hp (75 kW) each

Performance

Maximum speed: 145 mph (233 km/h)

Cruise speed: 135 mph (217 km/h)

Range: 820 miles (1,320 km)

Service ceiling: 13,500 ft (4,115 m)

Rate of climb: 650 ft/min (3.3 m/s)