Beagle 218/242

Composites in Beagle 218

[/QUOTE]he M.218 was originally an advanced Miles composite structure design]

Yet another example of George Miles being ahead of technologY. If the currrent composite technology had been available in the 60s, the composites in use would not have been 10mm thick chopped strand matting GRP. Modern directionally controlled CFRP mouldings could have reduced the structural weight to the design target, and given Beagle a world beater

Sic transit gloria mundi

Yes, but heard that the inards were severly damaged? – thanks for the info

Although the fire took place inside the dome, it did not destroy the dome itself which survived for much longer. In fact it is still extant.

I was going to post similar info earlier but couldn’t find the thread!
I’m really glad you answered it first though David as I didn’t realise that is what happened to the Shoreham AA Dome Trainer. I take it the 242 was in component form at the time?

Just as an aside, the M.218 was originally an advanced Miles composite structure design inherited by Beagle. This partly explains how time wise the 218/242 was in parallel to the similarly layed out B.206, but otherwise unrelated.
Lovely looking aircraft especially in 218 form.

The B218/242 G-35-6/G-ASCK/G-ASTX was withdrawn from use at Shoreham after CoA expiry in 1966 and was stored, later being destroyed by fire in August 1969 (Source Beagle aircraft – A Production History by Midland Counties Aviation Research Group. Although not mentioned in the book, I think this fire occurred inside the domed gunnery training building on the north perimeter of Shoreham airfield.