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Aviation History
1945
1945 - 1106.PDF
604 FLIGHT JUNE JTW, 1943 Miles Aerovan (M57) Functionally Designed Qeneral-purpose Aircraft with Particular Appeal for Operators of New Ventures WHENEVER Miles Aircraft Limited announce a newmachine, one may be sure that they are heraldingsomething out of the common. Latest of the Miles creations is the M57 Aerovan, and a very interesting aircraft it is. The illustrations will make clear the general layout and style of the machine which, with the exception of the metal tail boom, is of all-wood construction. Mile's aerofoil flaps and the slotted ailerons make for positive handling characteristics at very low speeds. This, in turn, has necessitated the employment of three fins and rudders. The aircraft should, in addition, have a fair degree of '' pendulous '' stability. Although designed for Gipsy Major or Cirrus Major engines, any other make of similar power and weight can be fitted if required. An alternative choice is also given between fixed-pitch or constant-speed airscrews. Put briefly, the Aerovan is pretty well exactly what its name suggests ; it is liter- ally a well-dimensioned con- tainer of 530 cu. ft. capa- city equipped with the necessary appurtenances for flying. This somewhat bald description should not be taken to imply that it is, therefore, a less efficient air- craft. It is essentially a neatly designed aerial van, capable of being furnished for a variety of duties, and, with this, has remarkably good flying characteristics. It can, in fact, be said with a great measure of truth that the aircraft is a small brother of the M.61 freight project described in the April 12th issue of Flight. We have not the space to dilate upon the almost innu- merable versions of the Aerovan which could be made ; but an excellent idea of the various uses to which the machine could usefully be put can be gained from the following suggestions: — (1) A light freighter with a payload of one ton, range 450 miles, cruising speed 110-115 m.p.h. at nearly 10 m.p.g. for a fuel-oil cost of less than 30s. per 100 miles. (2) A passenger feeder-line aircraft alternatively equipped to carry six, eight or ten passengers and having a toilet com- partment at the rear of the cabin. (3) An air ambulance An emergency operating theatre which can be flown to theinaccessible patient, is one of the most interesting applications of this aircraft. with a maximum capacity for eight stretchers and pro- vision for an attendant nurse—the hinged rear door sec- tion of the cabin and the low-level floor make this appli- cation particularly effective. (4) An aerial emergency operating theatre fully equipped with all the essentials for emergency surgical operations and with accommodation for doctor and nurse. (5) A flying caravan which would permit the private owner to live—or camp—aboard and fly where he desired. In this version provision is made for settee-bunks for two people together with a pressure cooker, sink and six-gallon water tank, toilet and ward- robe facilities, in addition to crockery, #plate and glass stowage. This remarkable little aircraft could also be used as a flying shop, taking mer- chandise to remote districts and bringing back local pro- ducts. Further, it could be equipped as an aerial show- room with display cases, literature, etc., to assist commerce and industry in highly competitive markets. In the Aerovan the pilot is well positioned, and is i given a wonderfully goqrf^ range of view. The front screen is a large piece of moulded Perspex ; panels of similar material form the top half of each side, and another large panel is carried over the pilot's head. The field of view is illustrated by the fact that, when taxying, the pilot can see through about 200 deg. in azimuth and to within 10ft. of the aircraft's nose." A full-length door gives access to the cockpit, and' a communicating door is provided between the main cabin and the pilot's compartment. On the starboard side of the pilot is arranged a seat for eithef an observer or, in the case of the '' private'' versions, a passenger. The landing gear of the Aerovan is distinctly in keep- ing with the general tenor of the machine. It is not retractable, yet is a tricycle arrangement with a levered form of, main-wheel suspension mounted directly on the fuselage, a steerable nose wheel being located beneath the pilot's compartment. This layout permits the fuselage
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