Developed from a Second World War design for the Royal Air Force, and used primarily as a liaison type, it was originally rejected as an Air Observation Post aircraft (in favor of the high-wing Auster) as visibility downwards was unacceptable for this rôle. However, the relatively roomy cockpit and slow-flying characteristics meant that it was admirably suited to as a battlefield liasion aircraft - especially for senior officers, and it was given the Service name of Messenger 1. One Messenger (RAF serial, 'RG333') was notably used by the then General Montgomery, as a personal transport, especially around the Normandy battlefield.
This Miles design showed excellent short-field performance; you can see here the generous trailing-edge flaps which contributed to this, and the trailing link undercarriage, which helped to smooth out any rough landings in battlefield situations. The triple-finned M.38 Messenger was a development of the twin-tailed M.28 Mercury, and the post-war civilian Mk. 2A was built at a facility in Newtownards, Northern Ireland. The aircraft were then flown over to the Miles factory at Woodley, near Reading (in what was known as a 'green' state), where they were painted and upholstery fitted. Powered by a Blackburn Cirrus Major 3 engine, of 155hp (the same engine as in the Auster J5K, and the Chrislea CH3 Super Ace Skyjeep Mk 4); this gave a top speed of 135 mph. The Messenger proved to a popular four-seater touring aircraft, and the surviving RAF Messengers were sold off and civilianized, as the Messenger 4. Unfortunately, the immediate postwar economic climate was not conducive to the sale of new light aircraft, and production ceased with the 71st example in 1948.
G-AJOE had an interesting start; it was bought in in April 1947 by Anthony Bingham Mildmay, 2nd Baron Mildmay of Flete. Unfortunately, the aristocratic steeplechase rider (who was credited with introducing Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, to the sport of horse racing) disposed of G-AJOE fairly swiftly, and it was back in the hands of Miles at Reading by October 1947.
After a series of owners, including the electronics firm Reproducers & Amplifiers Ltd, and a Derbyshire business executive, Frank Kenning (who ran a large automotive group), the aircraft is now in the hands of Peter Bishop, a friend of mine, and has been restored in a traditional Miles cream and red livery. One of only a handful of Miles aircraft still flying, it appears regularly at Light Aircraft Association and other events.
Unfortunately, G-AJOE suffered an accident in Holland, whilst Peter was making one of his many European trips. It was repaired and was granted a new Certificate of Airworthiness in 2010 by the British authorities. We are delighted to see that G-AJOE has once more joined the UK ‘fly-in’ circuit. Well done, Peter!
The Messenger has that certain Miles style about it; it really is, 'a gentleman's aerial carriage'.
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