Berkshire Museum Of Aviation

It brings back memories of cleaning the Student when I was an apprentice to see it in such good nick after its mishap. Now that the rebuild is at an advanced stage I able to able to include a photo of it in its present state in my dissertation on the careers of the apprentices and the products of the Miles Group of Companies from Shoreham Airport to Riverbank works, Lancing and Ford

I was a very frequent Miles visitor when they were at Ford in the late-60s. If you want to contact me, feel free to do so at [email]pby5@btinternet.com[/email]

The hanging Gannet appears to be just that, a hanging MODEL of a Gannet!

That ıs correct, ıf ıt hadn’t been for 424, thıs prototype would probably have been lost, maybe not too ımportant ın the avıatıon lıneage but from lıttle acorns, bıg trees grow.

The hanging Gannet ‘thingy’ could be a new exhibit as it does not seem to appear in the virtual tour on their website. Depending on how close it was to the camera, it could of course just be a large scale model! It is surprising how full a museum can look, but there is always space to squeeze ‘one more’ in.

The Fairey museum docent cannot take credit for the Fairy Gyrodyne as this was obtained from White Waltham by the nephew of the works manager and was displayed at 424(Southampton) ATC Sqn. for a long time. In fact this plane can be regarded as the genesis for the Southampton Hall of Aviation now called Solent Sky Museum and was rightly given to the ‘Fairey history museum’.

So it is the Gyrodyne which was displayed for many years near Southampton Civic centre? i remember it there in my youth, happy days and good to see it well looked after and in a fascinating Museum.

miles aircraft

This is one museum that has been been on my “must visit” list for a long time, but I cannot cannot persuade any
member of my family to take me to visit it when it is open.

It brings back memories of cleaning the Student when I was an apprentice to see it in such good nick after its mishap. Now that the rebuild is at an advanced stage I able to able to include a photo of it in its present state in my dissertation on the careers of the apprentices and the products of the Miles Group of Companies from Shoreham Airport to Riverbank works, Lancing and Ford

I’m afraid I was rather taken up with the displays on the history of Miles, Spitfire production in Reading, etc., & perhaps didn’t pay as much attention to all the exhibits as I should have done.

And as it is just round the corner from you, that is next weekend taken care of! 😀

See post no. 7.

Good grief! I’d never have guessed there was so little left before they started work….

Did you take any photo’s of the project in it’s current state ?

.

here is the basis foir the Martinet rebuild, great progress
http://www.airliners.net/photo/1527213

Good grief! I’d never have guessed there was so little left before they started work. No. 2 A.A.C.U. is right. The restoration (or, from the look of that, building of a replica with some original parts) is even more impressive when one sees what it started with.

It’s gratifying to see that I’ve elicited some very interesting information. Thanks, everyone.

I’m afraid I was rather taken up with the displays on the history of Miles, Spitfire production in Reading, etc., & perhaps didn’t pay as much attention to all the exhibits as I should have done.

Our popularly elected representatives have a lot to answer for!!
Resmoroh

Oh, how true……………..!!!!!!

The hanging Gannet ‘thingy’ could be a new exhibit as it does not seem to appear in the virtual tour on their website. Depending on how close it was to the camera, it could of course just be a large scale model! It is surprising how full a museum can look, but there is always space to squeeze ‘one more’ in.

The Fairey museum docent cannot take credit for the Fairy Gyrodyne as this was obtained from White Waltham by the nephew of the works manager and was displayed at 424(Southampton) ATC Sqn. for a long time. In fact this plane can be regarded as the genesis for the Southampton Hall of Aviation now called Solent Sky Museum and was rightly given to the ‘Fairey history museum’.

Scotavia,

That photo puts fully into perspective the great time and effort that has been expended in ‘bringing back’ the M.25. Ian Simmons and his team should be roundly applauded for their fantastic work.

Kind regards,

Tim

The skullduggery that went on between the Govt, Handley-Page, and Miles would make the plot of a good musical or opera. Read Julian Temple’s “Wings Over Woodley”. If they’d put as much effort into designing, building, and flying some very good aircraft (including some prototype “state of the art” airframes) we might not have fallen under the American airframe builders influence as early as we did. Jigs and plans burnt? Did I hear someone say TSR2? Our popularly elected representatives have a lot to answer for!!
Resmoroh

I took quite a few pictures. Would it be appropriate to post some of ’em here? Mrs S has sneaked into a few of ’em. It was actually her idea to visit the museum.

Lady with good taste………!! A great little museum, paid my first visit back in early September. Photos very welcome.

Planemike

here is the basis foir the Martinet rebuild, great progress
http://www.airliners.net/photo/1527213

Possibly, but I think the Fairey connection is to do with the company being at one time based at White Waltham airfield, also in Berkshire.
The Herald started out in the Miles design office at Reading (Berkshire) and can be traced via Marathon design proposals before becoming a Handley Page built aircraft, hence the HPR.7 designation. Handley Page took over the Woodley site.

I think you may be right, & it’s a Mercury.

Don’t remember what the hanging thing is. Agree that it looks Gannet-ish, & they do have some other Gannet bits hidden behind the Gyrodyne. One of the people there started his career with Fairey, making Gannets, & I suspect his contacts there may account for the plethora of Fairey stuff.

Thanks for sharing the pics, wondering if the engine is a Mercury, as it powered the Miles Martinet?
That Gannet always looks pumped up for some reason, I thought the main gears would have settled a little by now!
What is the object hanging from the roof, upper right in 2nd pic?
Looks Gannety, but not quite – if that makes sense!

Would certainly be interested in seeing an update on the Martinet progress.

Kind regards,

Tim

The Martinet is looking very good, almost new. Inexplicably, I find I don’t have a photo of it. Sorry about that. The fuselage looks complete, including the new cowling mentioned on the museum website as being needed.

The only Miles Student, largely restored since its 1989 crash, but lacking wings.

Fairy Gyrodyne.

Handley Page Herald interior, with Mrs S.

And exterior

Gannet

Miles Hawk Trainer 3 (Magister). This is largely a replica, contructed around surviving components. The glider is an Olympia 456. They have parts of other Olympias on display.

A Bristol engine, which I failed to make a note of. Doh! Olympia wings hanging in the background.