Miles Sparrowjet

The Miles M.77 Sparrowjet was a twin-engined jet-powered racing aircraft built by F.G. Miles Limited by fitting Turbomeca Palas jets to the prototype Miles Sparrowhawk.

M.77 Sparrowjet
Role Racing aircraft
National origin United Kingdom
Manufacturer F.G. Miles Limited
First flight 14 December 1953
Primary user racing pilot owner
Number built 1
Developed from Miles Sparrowhawk

Design and development

The conversion commenced in January 1951 and the Sparrowjet first flew on 14 December 1953. Other modifications included a new tail section and front fuselage (in place of the Sparrowhawk's single engine), fixed, faired-in undercarriage and a large clear canopy. The wing roots were modified to take the Palas engines.

Operational history

Air racing history
The Miles Sparrowjet competing in an air race at Leeds (Yeadon) Airport in 1955

The prototype M.5 Sparrowhawk G-ADNL was bought by Fred Dunkerley's Oldham Tyre Cord Company in January 1951. It was modified to M.77 Sparrowjet standard, and first flown by Dunkerley in air races during the Goodyear Air Challenge Trophy at Shoreham on 28 August 1954. It flew for display at Baginton during the Royal Aero Club race in July but had been prevented from racing owing to an air starter fault.[1] He won the SBAC Challenge Cup at Yeadon, West Yorkshire in 1956 and the King's Cup Race in 1957 with a top speed of 228 mph (367 km/h).

The Sparrowjet was severely damaged in a hangar fire at Upavon, Wiltshire in July 1964. In 2004 it was under rebuild in the Bristol area using discarded components from the 1950/53 conversion. The rebuild was still ongoing in early 2012.

Specifications (Sparrowjet)

Data from Miles Aircraft since 1925[2], British Civil Aircraft 1919–1972:Volume III[3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 30 ft 9.5 in (9.385 m)
  • Wingspan: 28 ft 6 in (8.69 m)
  • Height: 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m)
  • Wing area: 156 sq ft (14.5 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 5.2
  • Empty weight: 1,578 lb (716 kg)
  • Gross weight: 2,400 lb (1,089 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Turbomeca Palas turbojet engine, 330 lbf (1.5 kN) thrust each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 228 mph (367 km/h, 198 kn)
  • Range: 270.5 mi (435.3 km, 235.1 nmi)
  • Rate of climb: 2,100 ft/min (11 m/s)
485 ft/min (2.46 m/s) on one engine
  • Wing loading: 15.4 lb/sq ft (75 kg/m2)

References

Notes
  1. "Baginton Miscellany". Flight International. 2 July 1954. p. 26.
  2. Brown, Don L. (1970). Miles Aircraft since 1925 (1st ed.). London: Putnam & Company Ltd. pp. 346–348. ISBN 0-370-00127-3.
  3. Jackson, A. J. (1974). British civil aircraft 1919-1972 Volume 3 (2nd ed.). London: Putnam. p. 61. ISBN 978-0-370-10014-2.

Bibliography
  • Amos, Peter. and Don Lambert Brown. Miles Aircraft Since 1925, Volume 1. London: Putnam Aeronautical, 2000. ISBN 0-85177-787-2.
  • Brown, Don Lambert. Miles Aircraft Since 1925. London: Putnam & Company Ltd., 1970. ISBN 0-370-00127-3.
  • Jackson, A.J. British Civil Aircraft 1919–1972: Volume III. London: Putnam, 1988. ISBN 0-85177-818-6.
  • Temple, Julian C. Wings Over Woodley - The Story of Miles Aircraft and the Adwest Group. Bourne End, Bucks, UK: Aston Publications, 1987. ISBN 0-946627-12-6.
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