Author Topic: Miles M.20/5 Malta  (Read 4143 times)

Offline apophenia

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Miles M.20/5 Malta
« on: March 21, 2017, 11:56:44 AM »
Floaty (and Boaty) -- The Miles M.20/5 Malta Float Fighter

In September 1940, the first prototype Miles M.20/2 'panic fighter' flew. In late October 1940, the Air Ministry placed an order under an amended Specification F.19/40 for a small evaluation batch M.20/2 (to be named Miles Martello in RAF service). Design work was also begun on the M.20/3 fighter-bomber and M.20/4 interceptor fighter for the Catapult Aircraft Merchant (CAM) ships.

The on-going Siege of Malta prompted Miles' Walter G. Capley to revise his M.20/2 design to accept twin floats. Initially it was proposed that the Martello could simply be mounted on Fairey Seafox floats. However, Fairey advised strengthened and slightly enlarged floats for the heavier Miles airframe. As fitted, the new floats had broader planing surfaces than those of the Seafox as well as heavier-gauge skinning.

The new M.20/5 float fighter -- officially named the Miles Malta -- was given top priority. All work on pre-production M.20/2s halted and the Martello airframes were completed with floats. The goal was to take the pressure off fighters at the Maltese airfields of Hal Far, Luqa, and Ta Qali. Such was the urgency, that the Miles fighters were dispatched to the Mediterranean in their primer paint ... and without a clear operational plan.

Operational Schemes for the Miles Malta Float Fighter

The original scheme was to operate the Miles fighters from two converted Marshal Ney class monitors. These two ships -- HMS Drake (ex-Marshal Ney) and HMS Marshal Soult -- had been disarmed for use as depot ships. The ships were to be rearmed with anti-aircraft weapons and fitted with twin catapults -- fore and aft. But, alas, there was no time for these proposed conversions.

(To be continued ...)
________________________________
Froglord: "... amphibious doom descends ... approach the alter and swear your allegiance to the swamp."

Offline apophenia

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Re: Miles M.20/5 Malta
« Reply #1 on: March 21, 2017, 12:01:02 PM »
Floaty (and Boaty) -- The Miles M.20/5 Malta Float Fighter

The second scheme was to have HM Dockyard, Malta, refit the on-station Erebus class monitor HMS Terror with a single, stern catapult. Once HMS Erebus gained Malta, she too would be fitted with the stern catapult. This scheme failed to account for the phenomenal work-load of repairs being carried out at HM Dockyard while under air attack.

In the end, it was decided to fly the Miles Maltas directly from Maltese harbours -- Grand Harbour (based at Dockyard Creek and at Birgu) as well as Marsamxett Harbour to the south. Once 'in-country' the Maltas were given a distinct 'Mediterranean' paint scheme. Azure Blue undersides carried on halfway up the fuselage sides. The upper disruptive camouflage consisted of unique two-tone blues -- one a pale, greyed-out version of Azure; the other Azure mixed with RAF Blue/Grey vehicle paint.

Islands in the Sun

The Miles Malta had a top speed of only 230 knots making climbing intercepts all but impossible. Instead, the Malta's long endurance (due to large fuel tanks in each float) provided an edge. Malta pilots slowly climbed to their maximum ceiling. Then they stoodged about at altitude until likely-looking bomber targets appeared. After selecting his target, the Malta pilot would dive down, gaining speed for a single firing pass. With luck, that single high-speed pass would also carry the Malta fighter clear of any opposing enemy fighters.

The Miles Malta was far from an ideal interceptor but, like the obsolete Gloster Sea Gladiators flying out of Hal Far, the float fighters were available. Once superior Spitfires began arriving on the beseiged island, the battle-worn aircraft of the Malta Float Fighter Flight were stood down.


________________________________
Froglord: "... amphibious doom descends ... approach the alter and swear your allegiance to the swamp."

Offline Tophe

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Re: Miles M.20/5 Malta
« Reply #2 on: March 21, 2017, 01:15:11 PM »
Good! :-*
Would it be possible to have a version without big chin? (with the air scoop on the back upward, for instance - say: to prevent water splash entering the cooling device...)

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Re: Miles M.20/5 Malta
« Reply #3 on: March 21, 2017, 04:50:35 PM »
 :)
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

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But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline apophenia

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Re: Miles M.20/5 Malta
« Reply #4 on: March 22, 2017, 10:36:44 AM »
Would it be possible to have a version without big chin? ...

Floaty (and Boaty) -- The Miles M.20/6 Mariner CAMS Fighter

Miles had developed its M.20/4 'panic fighter' as an interceptor to operate from Catapult Aircraft Merchant (CAM) ships. M.20/4 development was curtailed when all effort was switched to the top-priority M.20/5 Malta float fighters. By the time Miles designer Walter G. Capley turned his attention back to the M.20/4, CAMS planning had evolved.

While the M.20/4 was to use many off-the-shelf components, this no longer statisfied the Air Ministry. One concern was the potential ditching characteristics of the M.20/4 with its large chin radiator (inherited from its Beaufighter 'power-egg' installation). But there was also a desire to incorporated as many spares (and obsolescing components) as possible from stocks building at the repair centres.

Capley found that a minor re-design of the M.20/4 could meet AM requirements. The resulting M.20/6 substituted a number of surplus early-model Hurricane and Spitfire components. Externally, the M.20/6 differed from the earlier M.20s most dramatically in its coolant radiator position. The large nose bath was replaced by underwing Spitfire units making for the smoother nose profile desired for ditching.

Less obvious were the various internal changes (mainly to take Hurricane fittings) and the twin, CO2-operated Kiddle-Lux floatation bags mounted in the wings. Like the M.20/5 Malta float fighters, it was also found to be advantageous to reduce armament to six wing-mounted .303-inch Browning Mk.II guns (the reduced airframe weight being judged valuable enough to warrant the lower firepower).

The resulting aircraft -- officially named the Miles Mariner -- entered production in late 1941. The M.20/6 was a successful effort but, by the time the Mariner entered service, many combat-worn Hurricanes were readily available for use from CAM Ships. Only 20 M.20/6 Mariners were to be built -- all of which had been expended in operations over the North Atlantic by the Spring of 1943.
Froglord: "... amphibious doom descends ... approach the alter and swear your allegiance to the swamp."

Offline Tophe

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Re: Miles M.20/5 Malta
« Reply #5 on: March 22, 2017, 12:13:10 PM »
 :-* Wonderful chin-less derivative! :-*
I had not noticed: was there a Vought copyright for the tailplane far after the fin? (like a F4U Corsair)

Offline apophenia

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Re: Miles M.20/5 Malta
« Reply #6 on: March 23, 2017, 02:59:50 AM »
... was there a Vought copyright for the tailplane far after the fin? (like a F4U Corsair)

Maybe Tophe ... although, I think Blackburn beat them to it with the Skua  ;)
Froglord: "... amphibious doom descends ... approach the alter and swear your allegiance to the swamp."

Offline Acree

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Re: Miles M.20/5 Malta
« Reply #7 on: March 23, 2017, 03:04:56 AM »
Not to mention Bleriot...

« Last Edit: March 23, 2017, 03:15:03 AM by Acree »

Offline Acree

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Re: Miles M.20/5 Malta
« Reply #8 on: March 23, 2017, 03:15:49 AM »
Whoops, nevermind!  I got that backwards!

 :-[
« Last Edit: March 23, 2017, 04:45:31 AM by Acree »

Offline Tophe

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Re: Miles M.20/5 Malta
« Reply #9 on: March 24, 2017, 02:04:44 PM »
... was there a Vought copyright for the tailplane far after the fin? (like a F4U Corsair)
Maybe Tophe ... although, I think Blackburn beat them to it with the Skua  ;)
You are right, I had forgotten this one (of 1937, yes)... ???