Miles Sparrowjet

M.77 Sparrowjet
Role Racing aircraft
National origin United Kingdom
Manufacturer F.G. Miles Limited
Number built 1
Developed from Miles Sparrowhawk

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

Contents

Design and development

The conversion commenced in December 1950 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.

Air racing history

The aircraft was modified to the order of Fred Dunkerley, who first flew the Sparrowjet in air races during the Goodyear Air Challenge Trophy at Shoreham on the 28 August, 1954. 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.

Specifications (Sparrowjet)

Data from British Civil Aircraft 1919–1972:Volume III[1]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Related development

References

Notes

  1. ^ Jackson 1988, p. 61.

Bibliography

  • Amos, Peter. and Don Lambert Brown. Miles Aircraft Since 1925, Volume 1. London: Putnam Aeronautical, 2000. ISBN 0-85177-787-0.
  • 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.

External links