Miles M.65 Gemini / M.75 Aries

1945

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Miles M.65 Gemini / M.75 Aries

Conceived as a twin-engine retractable landing gear version of the Messenger, the Miles M.65 Gemini flew first on 26 October 1945 and was an immediate success. It was the last Miles aircraft to enter quantity production and in its Gemini Mk 1A initial form was powered by 75kW Blackburn Cirrus engines, and had non-retractable auxiliary trailing-edge flaps; one Gemini Mk 1B was built with retractable flaps. The single Gemini Mk 2 was created by installing 93kW Continental engines, while production Gemini Mk 3A aircraft had 108kW de Havilland Gipsy Major 10s. There were several sub-variants with detail differences, but the most powerful version with two 116kW Blackburn Cirrus Major III engines, a strengthened structure and larger fins and rudders, was deemed sufficiently different to be designated M.75 Aries.

A total of 170 Geminis and two Aries was built, around two-thirds of them being exported, before the company collapsed in 1947, and the type could be considered as Miles' most popular postwar aeroplane.

Comments
Barry Kevin Flewitt, e-mail, 05.09.2013 19:28

I took a couple of photos of this, at the 1979 Farnborough air show. Same ID letters. SAC on wing. Anyone want a copy of them?

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john Perry, e-mail, 28.02.2011 02:46

Was Apprentice at Wolverhampton Aviation Ltg UK in early 50's and whilst there was engaged in the refurbishing of two Miles M65 Gemini's! ... one was for "Flight" magazine and the other for Shell Petroleum Company to be based in Venezuela! .. both aircraft where to be rebuilt with De Haviland Gipsy Major engines replacing the Blackburn Cirrus engines! .. the refit of these aircraft was to incorporate full executive treatment and when finished they were a joy to behold! ... sadly I have no photographic record.

One other memorable note for a young apprentice was that Douglas Bader the legless fighter ace was Employed by the Shell Company at this time and I was able to meet and converse with him quite freely during the span of this work.

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david owen, e-mail, 10.02.2011 02:41

There was a Miles Aries flying here (Wollongong, NSW AUSTRALIA) in the '60s. It was powered with flat 4 Franklins.

david

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bertrand, e-mail, 07.07.2008 17:15

Hello !

I'm a young air traffic controller in France (Calais airport) and I took a photo of this aircraft yesterday : aeroport.calais.free.fr /photos /Miles1946.JPG

Please could you tell me if I'm right or wrong ? I typed "Miles 1946" but I can't find it anywhere on the internet and the one above (Miles M.65) closely looks like it.

Thank you very much in advance.

Bertrand Hourquescos

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