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Aviation History
1947
1947 - 1483.PDF
SEFTEMBER 4, 1947 MARATHMile Objective Appraisal of the New Miles Four-Engined Feederliner: Excellent Performance : Generous Internal Capacity: Novel Features THERE is an elegance and air of purpose about theMiles Marathon which is remarkably attractive—somuch so that one comes to regard the capacity of the aircrait with something of surprise. It is astonishing that so slim and eager-seeming a fuselage should, in fact, be so capacious; yet even this realization does not—although it should—prepare one for the severely practical performance. One rather naturally expects rapidity from so clean- looking a shape, and the Marathon is certainly fast; but its payload/range figures and likely operating costs emphasize that here is an aircraft which, although cast in thoroughbred mould, has enough of the work-horse in its make-up to be an attractive proposition to operator, passengers and aircrew alike. The,.present design trend, in the smaller categories, towarda high-wing layout gives theMarathon an entry- door threshold which is but 2 ft. 5 in. above ground, permits an unobstructed floor throughout the cabin, and allows the passengers clear views of the country over which they are flying. An incidental advantage, which is frequently unregarded, is that the wing offers a considerable area of shade and consequently pre- cludes the discomfort of glare for most passenger impositions; it also must help to reduce direct heat transmission when the machine is parked on tropic airfields. Aerodynamically a high wing permits the maintenance of an uninterrupted top wing surface and seems to render wing/fuselage filleting a comparatively simple problem. On entering the Marathon one is struck by the interior spaciousness. The cabin is wide and the head- room is generous, whilst lightness is given to the volume by the ample window area at each seat station. The standard model has alternative seating arrange- ments for fourteen or eighteen persons and provides a very real degree of luxury. For one thing, ample leg room is afforded the tall person, and this is a quality often neglected or disregarded. Alternative accommodation layouts are, of course, available, and seating for twenty people can be provided, though this necessarily restricts the operating range. Seating is arranged in pairs on each side of a central aisle, the chairs being built on a steel-tube frame, upholstered in Dunlopillo and rubber- ized hair, and covered with nylon. Although not adjustable, the seats are comfortable; we would, however, suggest that they could have the back lengthened, perhaps 1 % inches, in ih\ Functional ideals have obviously ruled the cockpit layout.
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