Miles M.25 Martinet

1942

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Miles M.25 Martinet

Before the issue of Air Ministry Specification 12/41, it had been standard RAF practice to use out-dated aircraft, however unsuitable, for the task of target towing. The outbreak of World War II had highlighted this short-sighted policy, leading to the procurement of an aircraft designed specifically for such a role. The Miles M.25 prototype (LR241) was flown for the first time on 24 April 1942, the aircraft being based on the Miles Master Mk II but with a lengthened nose to compensate for the weight of target-towing equipment. Incorporated within a modified cockpit was the drogue cable winch, which could be powered by an electric motor or wind-driven propeller, and there was comfortable space for the operator and stowage of the drogue targets. THe type entered service as the Miles Martinet and between 1942 and 1945 a total of 1,724 was built; the type was complemented in 1946 by the M.50 Queen Martinet which had been developed to Specification Q.10/43. This was a radio-controlled pilotless target version of the Martinet, 11 being built as new and the remaining 54 being conversions of M.25s. Planned variants included a glider-tug version of the Martinet, similar to the Master GT Mk II, and the M.37 two-seat trainer of which two prototypes were built. Six surplus Martinets received civil registrations after the war, four of them sold to Sweden and operated by the civil target-towing company Svensk Flygjarst.

Specification 
 MODELM.25 Martinet
 ENGINE1 x Bristol Mercury XX/XXX piston engine, 649kW
 WEIGHTS
  Take-off weight3062 kg6751 lb
  Empty weight2105 kg4641 lb
 DIMENSIONS
  Wingspan11.89 m39 ft 0 in
  Length9.42 m31 ft 11 in
  Height3.53 m12 ft 7 in
  Wing area22.48 m2241.97 sq ft
 PERFORMANCE
  Max. speed386 km/h240 mph
  Range1117 km694 miles

Comments1-20 21-40
Reg Ensor, e-mail, 27.01.2013 21:48

I was Flight mech E on Martinets & Wimpeys at R.A.F.Leeming circa 1950 we each had our own aircraft mine was NR 570. Used as a drogue tower and target for flying radar school.

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Jim.swan R.A.A.F 432905, e-mail, 22.07.2012 08:54

I flew Martinets based at No 1 A.G.S.Pembreyfrom 23.11.1944 til 25.05.1945. Very reliable and thank heavens
never let me down.Aged now 87 but I still have great memories of those times

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H.Z.Freier former PO(A) TAG, 27.12.2010 21:33

Served at HMS GREBE RNAS Decheila Egypt 1943-45.We had several Martinets.I was I /C of shiping them to Malta at the end of hostiltiyes.Sturdy bus.

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anonomous typer 2010, 27.11.2010 19:00

hi

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D. Johnson, e-mail, 06.08.2009 19:14

Hello Geoff. I serviced Martinets from July 1947 for about fourteen months. I served with Martinet Flight at R A F Lubeck, B A F O Yours Doug

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doug johnson, e-mail, 14.06.2009 16:35

Hi I serviced Martinets from July 1947 /December 1948 was stationed at RAF Lubeck BAFO

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Geoff Waterhouse, e-mail, 14.06.2007 21:37

First time I left the ground was in a Martinet at no.4 Air
Gunnery School, Walney Island flown by a Polish Fighter Pilot on a rest period, one Sgt /Pilot Resczkowski.....sick
as a dog, but what a thrill !!
Did service in R.., Navy as a seaman /torpedoman ...age now 80yrs. Did 50 yrs as an Optometrist in Twickenham

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1-20 21-40

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