Czech the RAF Magister’s

History:

The Miles M.14 Magister is a two-seat monoplane basic trainer aircraft designed and built, during the 1930’s by the British aircraft manufacturer Miles Aircraft Ltd at Woodley, near Reading, Berkshire.

Following the success of the Miles M.2 Hawk Trainer as an elementary trainer, the first low-wing monoplane to be adopted as a trainer by the RAF, in 1936 the company decided to produce a derivative of the Hawk Trainer to satisfy the Air Ministry’s Specification T.40/36. This project was notable in two respects: for the first time the RAF decided to use monoplanes instead of traditional biplanes for initial pilot training on a massive scale, and again for the first time since the end of the First World War, the RAF was going to order an aircraft of wooden construction.

The result of the refinement of the “Hawk Trainer” was the M.14, which differed from previous models mainly in its widened cockpits, parachute seats and a complete set of instruments for teaching “blind” flights. Instead of fairings – “pants”, drop-shaped fairings were put on the wheels and cantilever racks, now devoid of rear struts, were carefully hooded. The wheels were equipped with Bendix brakes. The crutch was replaced with a tail wheel.

The M.14 made its first flight in April 1937 with its designer, F.G. Miles himself piloting it. On the same day, the designer’s wife christened the aircraft “Magister” – “Master”. A few weeks later, the aircraft was transferred to one of the airfields for official testing. But during the first flight, the test pilot could not get the plane out of a spin and jumped out with a parachute. As later proved by blowing in a wind tunnel, the reason was a change in the configuration of the cabins, which affected the flow around the plumage. In some flight modes, this reduced the effectiveness of the rudders. The situation was corrected after an increase in the height of the rear fuselage, the introduction of a fork and a change in the shape of the vertical tail. The latter became about 15 cm higher. This option was called M.14A. It also introduced a number of parts made of magnesium alloys.

Design:

The Miles Magister is a low wing cantilever monoplane with an all-wood construction. Rectangular fuselage with a semicircular top, completely sheathed in plywood. Both cockpits were open, had windscreens made of Perspex, with hinged doors on the starboard side. A protective tubular frame was installed in the front, which protected the pilot in the event of an aircraft nosedive. Second cockpit on aircraft operated by the RAF. was equipped with a folding curtain for practicing blind flights. Behind the cabs is a luggage compartment. The wing consists of a center section and detachable consoles. The junction of the center section with the fuselage is closed by fairing. Under the fuselage, on the center section and consoles there are flaps. Ailerons are equipped with weight compensation in the form of metal balancers. On the upper right side of the center section near the fairing there is a mat for access to the cockpits. On the upper part of the center section on the left and right, under metal covers, there are fillers for fuel tanks and fuel quantity control devices. The wing profile is a slightly modified Clark YN. The stabiliser, elevators and rudders are covered with canvas. A trimmer is installed on the left half of the elevator. Cable control wiring to the rudders. Engine 4-cylinder, in-line, air-cooled De Havilland Gipsy Major, 130 hp. Propeller De Havilland wooden, constant pitch, diameter 1900 mm.

A version of the “Magister” was made under the Blackburn “Cirrus Major” 2 engine in 135 hp. With. It was called M.14V. Military orders completely loaded Miles’ small plant and forced him to expand production. From May 1937, “Magisters” began to enter the flying schools of the Royal Air Force. The first series were produced according to the M.14 standard, and all subsequent series – M.14A. The plant produced up to 15 aircraft per week.

On the one hand, its behavior in the air was similar to a new generation of combat aircraft, on the other hand, the aircraft was distinguished by excellent handling and stability. On the M.14A, it was allowed to perform a full range of aerobatics without any restrictions. Miles repeatedly showed the landing of his offspring, defiantly putting his hands behind his head. The testers of the company often performed a paired inverted flight – “back to back”.

Production:

Having been impressed by the prototype’s performance during trials, the Air Ministry selected the Magister to fulfil the specification. Production began in October 1937. Recognising the importance and value represented by the order, the company committed a significant portion of its manufacturing capacity to producing the type, abandoning its plans to produce other aircraft, such as the Miles Peregrine, to concentrate resources on the mass production effort.

Aircraft were delivered not only to the RAF but also to UK flying clubs, as well as abroad. By the beginning of World War II, the Magister was already the main training aircraft in UK flight schools. They were also used directly in operational units – to maintain flight form, develop “blind” flight skills and as liaison aircraft.

Production of the Magister continued until 1941, by which time 1,203 aircraft had been built by Miles. More than a hundred Magisters were built under licence in Turkey. However, as contemporary glues, of that period, were used to assemble the wooden aircraft have not stood the test of time and so few Magisters have survived.

In June 1940, when Britain was preparing to repel the German invasion, the Magisters began to hastily be converted into light bombers. Fifteen Magisters were adapted to carry eight 25lb bombs on a special frame under the fuselage center section. They were manned by flight instructors and cadets were to join the combat squadrons in the event of an invasion. However, the invasion did not take place, and these Magisters did not see combat and subsequently continued to be utilised for training purposes.

Powerplant:	de Havilland Gipsy Major I four cylinder air-cooled inverted in-line piston engine, 130 hp
Performance:	Max speed: 142 mph, Cruise speed: 122 mph, Ceiling height: 16,500 ft Range: 367 miles.
Weights:	Unladen: 1,286 lbs, Max laden: 1,900 lbs.
Dimensions:	Wing span: 33 feet 10 inches, Length: 24 feet 7.5 inches, Maximum height: 6 feet 8 inches.
Armament:	None.
Crew:	2

The Miles M-14 Magister Mk.I was used by almost all British squadrons. In addition to the activities mentioned above, it was also used for transporting people, for connecting purposes and for fitness flights.

The aircraft was also used in Czechoslovak squadrons, a list of of those used by those squadrons:

Squadron:	Serial Number:
310	N3823
	P6415
	R1912
312	R1918
	T9752
	V1014
	V1082
313	L5968
	L8340
	P2500