Of the two Sparrowhawks produced for the RAE for high lift flap research, did one or both make it onto the civil register post war? Allowing for what Peter Amos and others have said about the errors made by the late Don Brown in ‘Miles Aircraft since 1925’, there he says that U-3 (c/n 276) became G-AGDL (w/o Tollerton 1948) and U-5 (no c/n given) became G-AGBI. However G-AGBI is recorded as being a Douglas DC-3. Did the second Sparrowhawk reach the UK civil register? If so, what was its registration as clearly it was not G-AGBI?
Whilst on the subject of Sparrowhawks, what was the fate of ZS-ANO? Did it go “the way of all flesh” in South Africa between 1943 and 1947 or survive in some form until the 1960s?
Oh and I apologise to Hairyplane if this issue has been raised already. However I have failed to find any record of it!
By: l.garey - 18th July 2020 at 14:57
Not adding much to the thread but I note that on 21.12.2008 Willip26 asked how many of our contributors might have see G-ADNL “in the flesh”. There were a couple of answers, but I can add myself, as I saw it on 13 July 1957 at Westwood (my local airfield at Peterborough). Quite a sight for a keen teenager. Especially as it was accompanied by Mew Gull G-AEXF. I think that was the day before the King’s Cup at Baginton.
Laurence
By: avion ancien - 13th July 2020 at 15:42
Any more news (at least, of a nature that you’re able to share with us), civil aero?
By: civil aero - 1st November 2017 at 18:55
G-ADNL…….can’t get photo loaded…..
By: avion ancien - 1st November 2017 at 10:08
It sounds as if there are ‘no overtaking’ signs on the production line!
By: civil aero - 31st October 2017 at 20:06
I’ve never been that good at swimming…..15 to 18 months sound good to have her finished in, heavy traffic in front of her:confused:….
By: avion ancien - 31st October 2017 at 19:29
I suspect that their owners will tell us when they, rather than we, choose to do so. For my part, I’ll go with the flow rather than try to swim against it.
By: Elmdon Boy - 31st October 2017 at 18:22
Looks like this enquiry is heading for the lost for another six years. Should have headed it SPITFIRE!! would probably had more response.
Oh well one last try.
By: civil aero - 28th October 2017 at 18:39
Yes please…
By: Newforest - 28th October 2017 at 18:02
I think we need new photos to refresh our old memories!
By: Elmdon Boy - 28th October 2017 at 17:50
Posted by Avion Ancien but not as yet answered from over six years ago now. Any news anyone on the progress of the Sparrowhawk G-ADNL, and the Somers Kendal G-AOBG
By: avion ancien - 12th March 2014 at 16:28
Six years on and being six years wiser, I suspect that I was asking questions to which there are, today, no answers. But then, unless one asks questions one never will know whether or not there are answers to them! However I’m grateful to you, G-ORDY, for the interesting photograph of the SK-1.
By: G-ORDY - 12th March 2014 at 15:35
Does anyone have any information concerning the current status of the restorations/rebuilds of Miles Sparrowjet G-ADNL and/or Somers-Kendall SK-1 G-AOBG?
This is what G-AOBG looked like when I photographed it at Denham on 22 February 1967 … not that it answers your question but I thought you might like the photo! The wings were there in those days but had vanished by the time it got to EMK Aeroplane in the 1990’s.
By: avion ancien - 10th July 2011 at 11:58
Does anyone have any information concerning the current status of the restorations/rebuilds of Miles Sparrowjet G-ADNL and/or Somers-Kendall SK-1 G-AOBG?
By: avion ancien - 10th July 2011 at 11:58
Does anyone have any information concerning the current status of the restorations/rebuilds of Miles Sparrowjet G-ADNL and/or Somers-Kendall SK-1 G-AOBG?
By: G-ORDY - 6th January 2009 at 21:40
Have a look at the ITN newsreel link I posted the other day to watch video of the Sparrowjet and Mew Gull at the 1957 Kings Cup at Baginton.
By: Willip26 - 6th January 2009 at 20:33
I saw the marvellous Sparrowjet cruising around Shoreham in 1953 0r 1954, plus an exciting aerial ‘Duel’ with the equally super Mewgull in the Kings Cup (?) air race at Shoreham, I think in 1954.
The twin Turbomeca Palas engines made a lovely swishing sound.
The Sparrowjet beat the Mewgull on the straights, but the Mewgull nipped around him on the turns! Sheer bliss watching that. Mind you, because of some serious handicapping, a Tiger Moth won the race!
Bri 😀
Bri
I really envy you for having been around to witness the sights, sounds and spectacle of British air racing in its heyday!
It must have been something else to see and hear the Sparrowjet and Mew Gull racing each other, no doubt with several other Miles, Percival and de Havilland types as well.
I expect that any re-make of G-ADNL is proceeding on a very hush-hush need-to-know basis, but I wonder how significant is the fact that these days G-ANWO is in the ownership of a member of the Dunkerley family.
Perhaps it means that the remains (IIRC not very recognisable when previously stored in Sussex) are being used as the basis of a ‘new’ Magister (well if it’s possible with Spitfires…), or whether the parts are being absorbed in some way into the Sparrowhawk.
Wicked Willip :diablo:
By: avion ancien - 5th January 2009 at 21:20
Everything does seem to have gone rather quiet. I’ve been unable to ascertain anything about this project for some time. But that may not be any reason to assume that the project has been abandoned or put on hold. It may be that publicity for the project is not being solicited and, quite justifiably, that someone wants to maintain their privacy and we will see or hear more about the Sparrowhawk when they are ready!
By: G-ASSV - 5th January 2009 at 21:01
Sparrowjet G-ADNL
Hello,
Here is a picture of the Sparrowjet G-ADNL which I think was taken at Coventry on the occasion of the King’s Cup Air Race.
Back in 1999 I went to have a look at the restoration of the Miles Sparrowhawk G-ADNL at a workshop in Bristol. The basic fuselage box had been completed with the plywood sides all glued in place and a nice piece of restoration work it was too. I seem to remember work was about to begin on the tail or the wings. I wonder if it is still an active project?
Chris
By: first_philou - 29th December 2008 at 12:02
Somers Kendall SK-1
Somers Kendall SK-1 is owned by Peter Bishop, from Hamboug, Germany.
Fuselage, tail surfaces and cowlings will be restored by Classique Aero Services, Orbiny, France.
Canopy and wings are missing. Any information would be very much appreciated.
By: avion ancien - 23rd December 2008 at 18:33
I’m afraid I don’t know the current status of the restoration or recreation of G-ADNL but there’s information about the Somers-Kendall S.K.1 restoration at http://www.minijets.org/typo3/index.php?id=120&L=0. Apparently it was moved to Classique Aero Services, Orbiny, France last October, presumably for the purposes of restoration. Does anyone know anything more about this? Has it just been moved to France for work or has it been sold to a French owner? Maybe it will yet appear on the F-P register and put in an appearance in the French skies!
Sign In
January 12, 2008 at 9:54 pm