Miles M.33 Monitor TT.Mk.I

Miles M.33 Monitor TT.Mk.I

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11/30/2007. The twin-engined Monitor was designed to meet Air Ministry Specification Q.9/42 for a high-speed target-tug for the RAF and the FAA of the Royal Navy. Two Miles M.33 Monitor prototypes were ordered under Contract No Acft/2668/C.2(a) to Spec Q.9/42 and numbered NF900 (RAF) and NF904 (FAA). Powered by two 1,700 hp Wright R-2600-31 Cyclone fourteen-cylinder two-row air-cooled supercharged radial engines, the RAF prototype Monitor TT.Mk.I, was flown from Woodley, Berkshire, on April 5, 1944.

After manufacturers trials the A&AEE made its intial flight from Woodley on August 8, 1944. In-flight a fire developed in the port engine and wing, the pilot was able to bail out, the Flight Test Observer Mr. P.F. Ainsbury came down with aircraft only a few miles from Woodley, and was killed.

The RAF abandoned the target-tug requirement, the FAA required an aircraft capable of simulating dive-bombing attacks, the type developed into the Monitor TT.Mk.II, introducing dive brakes and dorsal cupola. The FAA prototype was flown from Woodley, Berkshire, on December 2, 1944. Only 20 of the planned 500 production aircarft were built (NP406 to NP425), not all of which were delivered, and those delivered served briefly.

The Monitor was the first twin-engined aircraft designed specifically as a target-tug. Its metal fuselage was Miles' first use of stressed-skin construction, and it had a novel hydraulic winch that could be operated at speeds far above 150 mph (241 kmh), the maximum speed allowed by the older type of windlass.


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11/30/2007. The twin-engined Monitor was designed to meet Air Ministry Specification Q.9/42 for a high-speed target-tug for the RAF and the FAA of the Royal Navy. Two Miles M.33 Monitor prototypes were ordered under Contract No Acft/2668/C.2(a) to Spec Q.9/42 and numbered NF900 (RAF) and NF904 (FAA). Powered by two 1,700 hp Wright R-2600-31 Cyclone fourteen-cylinder two-row air-cooled supercharged radial engines, the RAF prototype Monitor TT.Mk.I, was flown from Woodley, Berkshire, on April 5, 1944. After manufacturers trials the A&AEE made its intial flight from Woodley on August 8, 1944. In-flight a fire developed in the port engine and wing, the pilot was able to bail out, the Flight Test Observer Mr. P.F. Ainsbury came down with aircraft only a few miles from Woodley, and was killed. The RAF abandoned the target-tug requirement, the FAA required an aircraft capable of simulating dive-bombing attacks, the type developed into the Monitor TT.Mk.II, introducing dive brakes and dorsal cupola. The FAA prototype was flown from Woodley, Berkshire, on December 2, 1944. Only 20 of the planned 500 production aircarft were built (NP406 to NP425), not all of which were delivered, and those delivered served briefly. The Monitor was the first twin-engined aircraft designed specifically as a target-tug. Its metal fuselage was Miles' first use of stressed-skin construction, and it had a novel hydraulic winch that could be operated at speeds far above 150 mph (241 kmh), the maximum speed allowed by the older type of windlass.