Miles Aerovan

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The Miles M.57 Aerovan was a British short range low cost transport. It was a twin engine high wing low aspect ratio monoplane, of plastic bonded plywood construction with some spruce and metal parts. the type had fixed tricycle undercarriage, three vertical tail and rudder units (one central, two as endplates to the monoplane horizontal tail), and a pod and boom fuselage (leading to the nickname “the flying tadpole”). Two pilots were seated beneath a large clear perspecx canopy which formed the front dorsal part of the pod, four rectangular or cicular windows providing a view for passengers on either side. The Aerovan was capable of lifting a family car, loaded through clamshell rear doors. Designed in 1944, the prototype was built in Liverpool and first flown in January 26 1945.

Aerovan production started in 1946 primarily for civil use, (although military examples were used by the RAF, Israel, New Zealand and Turkey). A license was granted to manufacture the type in France. Two RNZAF machines were converted, (unsuccessfully), for aerial topdressing. One Mark VI was used for research with a high aspect ratio wing. The mark I was fitted with a 5/6th replica of the mamba turboprop, during development.

Mark I – prototype with short pod fuselage

Mark II – prototype with longer fuselage

Mark III – production standard 7 built powered by 150 hp Blackburn cirus Major III engines.

Mark IV – Mark III with detail improvements, 40 built.

Mark V – de Havilland Gypsy major 10 engines, 1 built.

Mark VI - Avco Lycoming O-435-4A engines, 2 built.

Max speed, 130 mph ( 209 km/h). landing speed 40 mph. range 450 miles. Gross weight, 5,900 Ib (2,676 kg) empty 3000lb. Span, 50 ft 0 in (15.24 m). height 13 ft 6inches, Length, 36ft 0 in (10.97 m). Wing area 400 square feet.