Miles M28 OY-ALW/G-AHAA returns to the UK?

it also did fly to the UK back in May 1998

Not a lot of people know that ….. the M.28 was built at Shoreham – but it was, if you believe the ignorant twoddle posted by the media representative of Brighton City Airport (see http://flybrighton.com/news/miles-m28-mercury-returns-to-shoreham-for-a-fleeting-visit-after-62-years-of-leaving-home/). Other revelations made in this piece include that:

– ‘the design concept [of the M.28] was not developed further’, so clearly no one had mentioned the Messenger; and
– the ‘municipal hangar [at Shoreham] ….. was used as a manufacturing plant during the war’, which must have made for a rather cold and wet working environment since it was roofless from 1941,

but I won’t take issue with the claim that Miles Aircraft built aeroplanes from 1929 to 1957 as the first Southern Martlet flew in 1929 and the Miles Student made its first flight in 1957. However I do wish that the authors of pieces such as this would take the trouble to get their copy checked before publication, particularly as it is evident that he/she had spoken with Peter Amos when the M.28 made its visit to Shoreham, and when seemingly it is aimed at the aviation community rather than readers of the Daily Mail.

Thank you, M-62A. If Peter Amos doesn’t know, no-one will!

The book includes no precise evidence of the final fate of either of the Australian M.28’s, the accompanying Appendices Disk has the following final statements…
VH-AKC – “Registration cancelled 31.12.63 as withdrawn from use due to DCA policy on enclosed wooden aircraft structures and glued joints.”
VH-KCH – “Registration cancelled 12.11.58 as WFU and reduced to spares”.

Nothing further as far as I can see, M-62A

You and I must have been thinking alng the same lines at the same time, Planemike! The two Mercuries that went to Australia were the Mk II U-0237/G-AJVX/VH-BBK/VH-PMG/VH-KCH and the Mk IV U-0243/G-AGVX/HB-EED/VH-AKH/VH-AKC. It appears that they flew until the sixties when they were grounded along with all the other wooden aeroplanes that suffered glue failure problems. Online there is no reference to their ultimate fates (although VH-AKC was noted at Archerfield in October 1964, complete and in all over silver, in a hangar accompanied by a grounded Gemini). However those who possess Peter Amos’ tome may be able to add to this intelligence.

Does no-one know – or doesn’t the book say?

North Coates Fly-In

North Coates Flying Club are holding their annual Wings & Wheels Fly-in next weekend – July 14th & 15th, 2018.

The owner of the Mercury and the Gemini has kindly agreed to put the two aircraft out on display on the Saturday, July 14th.

This does not necessarily imply the aircraft will be flown on the Saturday, and as he cannot be present all weekend they must remain in the hangar on the Sunday. Note please, there is no public access to the hangar.
I have no doubt the Flying Club arrange a suitable position on the Saturday where the two aircraft can be seen and photographed by visitors.
The Mercury remains marked OY-ALW at present.

As a historical note OY-ALW is the only survivor of the six Mercury’s. It was built in 1946, registered G-AHAA and modified by F.G. Miles Ltd., in 1954/55 giving a sleeker, more sporty appearance than the other examples.
The original M.28 Mercury U-0232 was first flown on July 11th 1941 and by September 12th 1942 had been modified to become the prototype M.28/38 U-0223 – which in turn led to the M.38 Messenger.
Hence without the Mercury there may not have been the Messenger and Gemini post war series of light aircraft.

In reply to Kenneth’s post, I am told that OY-ALW made the 800 mile ferry flight without any problems or snags. At the very least this should be seen as a recognition to it’s previous Danish custodians.

Anyone wishing to visit the Fly-in by air should look at the Club’s website https://northcoatesflyingclub.com/

For other visitors, the car parking and entrance are free and refreshments will be available as usual in the dedicated visitor’s area.

This will be a welcome opportunity to see the Miles pair and some of the other North Coates residents outside as with other flying clubs, etc., there is no access to the hangar. Weather permitting we may also see some interesting visiting aircraft.

Posted with the Flying Club’s agreement.

M-62A

You are obviously and understandably as disappointed at it’s loss to Denmark as we are pleased at it’s return to Britain.

That pretty much sums it up!

A replica [KZ-VIII] also exists which I believe is in Denmark.

There are actually two flying, replica KZ-VIII’s in Denmark now, OY-KKZ and OY-KZS, both with horizontally-opposed engines. Yes, it would be great if the one in the UK could emerge from its deep store, whether in the UK or in Denmark.

Think the KZ VIII is in fact in store at Sleap. Not flown for many years, would be good to see it in the air.
Quite an historic aircraft in aerobatic terms. In many ways a forerunner to the Extras and the other
exotic aerobatic machines of today. Flew for the first time nearly 70 years ago.
The Danes do have the other original in the museum at Stauning.
A replica also exists which I believe is in Denmark.

Have to say the Mercury has been a lot more accessible than the KZ VIII, since it went into hibernation !!

there is a Danish KZ rarity stuck in a lock up damp building at RAF Cosford which should really go back to Denmark for some TLC, would be good to keep the trading both ways.

Kenneth, there is hardly anything xenophobic about a bunch of enthusiasts, who are delighted at the return to the UK, of a British built, very rare aeroplane, (of which most of us have never seen, but may now get that opportunity). Private owners can reasonably do what they like with their aeroplanes, but it’s always sad to see a rare type leave for “foreign parts”. In case it’s lost in translation the last bit is mean’t to be humorous. For the record, I’m not a Brexit supporter either ;).

You are obviously and understandably as disappointed at it’s loss to Denmark as we are pleased at it’s return to Britain.

John

The aircraft has indeed been for sale for a number of years. One potential buyer has negociated for a number of years but price has been a sticking point plus her former owner hasn’t needed to rush.
Is it a loss for Danish aviation – probably but there are no limitations on trade of vintage aircraft back and forth.
As to the Autocrat prototype – yes the frame is over there and safe. What is wanted in exchange is difficult.

Nice to have another of our “own” vintage civil types back in the country.

Really nice to hear the Mercury has returned “home”

Certainly great to hear the Mercury is home to a good home

Well, that almost implies that, as usual, evil continental/EU/US persons/entities had unjustifiably spirited this aircraft away from the always-suffering British vintage aircraft (armchair?) enthusiast?

Fact of the matter is that

(1) this very aircraft languished for quite some years at a German airfield in the early Seventies until Danish (!) vintage aircraft enthusiasts rescued it, transported it to Denmark, where its last owner had it restored;
(2) restoration in Denmark was completed in 1978 (!), i.e 40 years ago, and it’s been a part of the Danish vintage aircraft scenery ever since (in the museum in Stauning);
(3) it has been for sale on and off for many years, which has also been commented on in this forum, and nobody took any interest until now, apparently.

When I read the initial post my first thought was that it as a type is not relevant for Danish aviation history anyway. However, I now think differently; its survival shows what a dedicated small group of Danish enthusiasts was capable of in the Seventies, and what kind of aircraft they saved when nobody else cared, particularly in the UK (the remains of the Auster Autocrat prototype is still in Staining, by the way…). Where is its true “home” after +40 years in Denmark? In this respect, its sale to the UK is a Danish loss.

Having said that,
– it is and was always in private ownership, and the owner – who apparently lives in the UK anyway – can of course do what he wants;
– it would seem that its new owner is Miles enthusiast so I wish him all the best with his purchase and trust that it is taken well care of

I can confirm M-62A comments. I have been at North Coates for the last twenty four years and salt air corrosion has never been an issue and we have plenty of metal aircraft.

As with the other members of the Miles Messenger/Gemini series, the Mercury is largely built of wood.

So far I have heard no reports of the metal Cessnas, Pipers and Mooneys based at N.C. suffering undue corrosion problems.
M-62A

Isn’t North Coates a bit salty for metal in aeroplanes? Normally people on here are up in arms about such things.

You and I must have been thinking alng the same lines at the same time, Planemike! The two Mercuries that went to Australia were the Mk II U-0237/G-AJVX/VH-BBK/VH-PMG/VH-KCH and the Mk IV U-0243/G-AGVX/HB-EED/VH-AKH/VH-AKC. It appears that they flew until the sixties when they were grounded along with all the other wooden aeroplanes that suffered glue failure problems. Online there is no reference to their ultimate fates (although VH-AKC was noted at Archerfield in October 1964, complete and in all over silver, in a hangar accompanied by a grounded Gemini). However those who possess Peter Amos’ tome may be able to add to this intelligence.

Certainly great to hear the Mercury is home to a good home.

One thinks of it as a M48 Messenger with retractable u/c which I guess in some ways it is.
However I watched it flying at Stauning last year and have to say it’s performance was not
very Messenger like. It appeared fast and manoeuvrable.

Six Mercuries were produced with two being exported to Australia. Never seen any reports
of either surviving. Wonder if any of our Australian forumites know otherwise.

And its staying at North Coates and will be returning to its original UK registration. Watch out for another Miles type arriving at North Coates shortly

Lovely! Really nice to hear the Mercury has returned “home” 🙂

Laurence’s reference to ‘a Messenger with retractable undercarriage’ jogged my memory concerning a photograph of Mercury Mk. III U-0242, which appears in Don Brown’s book ‘Miles Aircraft since 1925’, which has the memorable caption: ‘The M.28 was the first Miles light aircraft with retractable undercarriage. This photograph shows the result of F.G.Miles forgetting this fact’. I’m sure that you all can guess what the photograph depicts!