View source for Miles Aerovan

{{Short description|1940s British civil utility aircraft}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2018}}
{{Infobox aircraft
 |name = M.57 Aerovan
 |image = File:Miles Aerovan 1955.jpg
 |caption = Aerovan 4 of Channel Islands Air Freight at [[Manchester Airport|Manchester (Ringway) Airport]] in May 1955
 |type = Short haul transport
 |national_origin= United Kingdom
 |manufacturer = [[Miles Aircraft]]
 |designer = [[George Herbert Miles]]
 |first_flight = 26 January 1945
 |introduction =
 |retired =
 |status = retired
 |primary_user = 
 |more_users = 
 |produced =
 |number_built = 48<ref name="Brown 297">Brown 1970, p. 297.</ref>
 |unit cost = £5,500<ref name="Brown 297"/>
 |variants = [[Miles M.68]]<br>[[Hurel-Dubois Miles HDM.105]]
}}

The '''Miles M.57 Aerovan''' was a British twin-engined short-range low-cost transport aircraft designed and produced by [[Miles Aircraft]]. It was primarily used for freight and passenger services.<ref>Jackson 1974, pp. 168–172.</ref>

Development of the Aerovan started during the latter years of the [[Second World War]] as an affordable freighter suitable for both civilian and military purposes. It was suited to austere operations, and possessed an atypically high payload capacity for its power output. Relatively large payloads, including a single car, could be transported by the aircraft, being loaded via its large [[Clamshell (container)|clamshell]] freight door. While Miles intended to produce the Aerovan for the [[British Army]] as a wartime asset, development was put on hold by order of the [[Air Ministry]] until the end of the conflict.

On 26 January 1945, the [[maiden flight]] of the Aerovan took place. Quantity production formally commenced during 1946, although customer demand exceeded the company's production capacity. The Aerovan was primarily flown by commercial operators, but was also operated by a number of military users. Numerous variants were developed, and further models were envisioned, including a [[flying boat]] model; however, production was halted as a result of the company's [[bankruptcy]] in late 1947.

==Development==
===Background===
Work on the Aerovan commenced during early 1944, being envisioned from the onset as a low-powered affordable freighter that was suited to both civilian and military purposes.<ref name="Brown 289"/> Throughout the [[Second World War]], George Miles had advocated for the use of such an aircraft within the British military in place of the then-standard practice of largely relying on [[Glider (aircraft)|glider]]s. Following the completion of the [[Miles Messenger]]'s development, it was felt by Miles' design team that an aircraft of roughly double the power and weight would be a valuable pursuit; in particular, it was believed that such an aircraft would be a capable military transport for theatres such as the [[Burma campaign]] against [[Imperial Japan]], as well as working in niche roles such as an [[Air medical services|air ambulance]].<ref name="Brown 289">Brown 1970, p. 289.</ref>

To suit its intended use, it was recognised early on that such an aircraft would need to be operated from austere airstrips and less hospitable terrain.<ref name="Brown 2890">Brown 1970, pp. 289-290.</ref> Furthermore, it was recognised that the type could be subsequently scaled upwards into a larger freighter, of which Miles had formulated multiple proposals even prior to the conflict's end. Beyond its military applications, the coming [[post-war]] era would see civilian operators that would need large numbers of economic short range transports and small freighters.<ref name="Brown 290"/> A high-wing configuration selected for the aircraft, being fitted with external aerofoil [[Flap (aeronautics)|flap]]s and powered by a pair of [[Blackburn Cirrus Major]] piston engines. To facilitate easy loading, the entire rear of the fuselage was a door, necessitating the use of a relatively high tail boom.<ref name="Brown 290">Brown 1970, p. 290.</ref>

The prototype was constructed at Miles' [[Woodley, Berkshire|Woodley]] factory in [[Berkshire]]. On 26 January 1945, this prototype conducted the type's [[maiden flight]], piloted by Tommy Rose.<ref name = "jack 79">Jackson 1974, p. 79.</ref> The performance of the prototype was immediately positive, proving to be both comfortable and relatively easy to fly. It proved to have an atypically high payload capacity for an aircraft of such power, being capable of lifting payloads in excess of its own weight when operated in a bare configuration.<ref name="Brown 2901">Brown 1970, pp. 290-291.</ref> The results of the initial trials were submitted to the [[Air Ministry]] as the company prepared to put the Aerovan into immediate production to support the war effort. However, Miles' work was not met with approval, the company being [[censured]] for building the aircraft without authorisation and work on the project was suspended on the ministry's orders.<ref name="Brown 292">Brown 1970, p. 292.</ref>

===Into production===
Work on the Aerovan was resumed shortly after [[Victory in Europe Day]].<ref name="Brown 292"/> While there was immediate demand for the type amongst civilian customers, Miles were not able to keep up with the rate of orders incoming, an outcome which aviation author Don Brown attributed to the Air Ministry's decision to place the project on hold. The production model of the Aerovan featured some changes from the prototype, including an 18-inch stretch of the fuselage and the use of [[porthole]] windows rather than rectangular ones.<ref name="Brown 292"/> Quantity production of the Aerovan properly commenced during 1946; the majority of aircraft sold were to civilian operators, both domestic and overseas, although some military customers, including [[Israel]] and [[New Zealand]], also emerged for the type.<ref name="Brown 2923">Brown 1970, pp. 292-293.</ref>

Following negotiations, a [[licensed production|licence]] was granted for the Aerovan to be manufactured in France, but no such aircraft were ever manufactured in the country. A single [[Royal New Zealand Air Force]] (RNZAF) aircraft was converted for [[aerial topdressing|aerial fertiliser spreading]], while a second for aeromagnetic survey work, although it proved to be unsuccessful.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.adf-serials.com.au/nz-serials/nzaerovan.htm |title = NZDF-Serials Miles Aerovan}}</ref> A single Mark 4 was used for research with a [[Hurel-Dubois Miles HDM.105|Hurel-Dubois]] high aspect ratio wing in 1957, being then known as the ''Miles HDM.105''.<ref name="Brown 296">Brown 1970, p. 296.</ref> The prototype, which was retroactively designated the Mark 1, was later fitted with a 5/6th scale replica of the [[Armstrong Siddeley Mamba]] turboprop nacelle for the [[Miles Marathon]]; it was also subsequently outfitted with [[aileron]]s in line with the standard flaps.<ref name="Brown 2956">Brown 1970, pp. 295-296.</ref>

Even prior to the Aerovan entering quantity production, Miles had ambitions to produce multiple derivatives of the type. One such design was a specialised aircraft for the [[air observation post]] role, intended to be operated by a four-man crew and featuring an enlarged glazed canopy to provide an all-round view in combination with a glazed rear fuselage section.<ref name="Brown 297"/> Work was also undertaken on a [[flying boat]] derivative that would have had a single-step hull, keeping the rear freight door above the waterline with the assistance of two stabilising [[Float (nautical)|floats]] carried on outriggers set on either side of the hull. Both designs would have retained significant commonality with the standard Aerovan, sharing the wing, tail, and powerplant arrangement.<ref name="Brown 297"/> Production of the Aerovan was abruptly terminated during late 1947 as a consequence of Miles' [[bankruptcy]] and subsequent dissolution.

==Design==
The Miles Aerovan was a twin-engined high-wing [[monoplane]] of plastic-bonded plywood construction with some spruce and metal parts. It had a fixed [[tricycle undercarriage]], three vertical tail and rudder units, one central and two as tailplane endplates, the configuration being generally reminiscent of the [[Miles Messenger]].<ref name = "jack 79"/><ref name="Brown 290"/> The wing featured electrically actuated [[Flap (aeronautics)|flap]]s that could be adjusted to any angle, which were a recent innovation. On the ground, steering was achieved either by differential braking or differential operation of the throttles.<ref name="Brown 290"/>

The Aerovan had a relatively deep-sided forward fuselage, which necessitated the use of a large fin area.<ref name="Brown 290"/> A pair of pilots were accommodated within a large clear [[perspex]] canopy which formed the front dorsal part of the pod, while the pod-shaped fuselage was lined with four or five circular windows on either side for use by passengers. Access to the cabin and cockpit was via a door on the starboard side.<ref name="Brown 290"/> For additional comfort, amenities such as [[soundproofing]] were typically installed.<ref name="Brown 291"/> The Aerovan's lifting capabilities were such that payloads could weigh up to one tonne, along with sufficient volume to enable the carriage of a typical family [[car]], which could be loaded through the [[Clamshell (container)|clamshell door]]s set to the rear.<ref name = "jack 79"/><ref name="Brown 291">Brown 1970, p. 291.</ref>

Various aspects of the Aerovan's configuration could be adjusted to meet customer demand; such alterations included the addition of [[skis]] for operations within snowy climates.<ref name="Brown 294">Brown 1970, p. 294.</ref> The standard Aerovan was powered by a pair of [[Blackburn Cirrus Major]] piston engines; alternative powerplants included the [[de Havilland Gipsy Major]] and the [[Lycoming O-435]], often necessitating the use of enlarged fins and rudders to cope with the increased power under all circumstances. By swapping the engines, the maximum speed could be increased by up to 20&nbsp;mph and the rate of climb by up to 50 per cent.<ref name="Brown 295">Brown 1970, p. 295.</ref>

==Operational history==
The Aerovan was principally operated by civilian customers, with demand for the type from such operators outstripping Miles' production capacity. These aircraft were often used for a diverse range of operations; more obscure uses included the movement of [[livestock]] across the [[English Channel]] and as a flying [[removal van]].<ref name="Brown 2934">Brown 1970, pp. 293-294.</ref>

The majority of Mk 3 and 4 Aerovans were employed on passenger and freight services, charter work and joyriding in the UK and in the [[Near East]]. Meridian Air Maps operated Aerovan 4 ''G-AISF'' on [[aerial survey]] work from October 1955 until it crashed on takeoff from [[Manchester Airport|Manchester (Ringway)]] on 29 April 1957.<ref>Jackson 1974, p. 499.</ref> The accident resulted in the deaths of two passengers and pilot [[Jean Bird|Jean Lennox Bird]], the first woman to receive RAF wings.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1957/1957%20-%200564.PDF |title=Jean Lennox Bird |journal=Flight |page=566 }}</ref>

The RNZAF evaluated a pair of Aerovan 4s during 1950.

The newly formed [[Israeli Air Force]] acquired a single Aerovan ''G-AJWI'' from Britain, which entered service during June 1948. Able to use relatively short landing strips, it was repeatedly flown into settlements and Jerusalem airport in the face of defensive rifle fire. On 17 July 1948, the aircraft made a forced landing south of [[Tel Aviv]] and was destroyed by Palestinians.<ref name="Dor">Dor 2004, pp. 26–28.</ref>

==Variants==
''Source:''<ref>Jackson 1974, pp. 168-171.</ref>
[[File:Miles M.57 Aerovan 1 G-AGOZ Air Contrs RWY 25.7.46.jpg|thumb|right|The prototype Aerovan 1 with four square windows on each side.]]
;Aerovan 1
:First prototype ''G-AGOZ''. The short fuselage prototype had four square windows. Like the Aerovan 2, 3 and 4 it was powered by two 150 hp (112 kW) Blackburn Cirrus Major III piston engines.
;Aerovan 2
:Second prototype ''G-AGWO'' had a lower empty weight (by 410 lb) and an {{convert|18 |in|m|abbr=on}} longer fuselage with five round windows. The outer fin balance was modified.
;Aerovan 3
:Essentially identical to the Mk 2.  Seven built, with six registered in the UK at one time or another,<ref name="AJJ">Jackson 1960, p. 551.</ref> the other going to Belgium.
;Aerovan 4
:Mark 3 with detailed improvements; the main production variant distinguished by four circular windows. 43 built, including one originally built as a Mk 3.  40 of these were registered in the U.K.<ref name="AJJ"/> Two were later converted into the Mk 5 and HDM.105.  Three further machines were built, one going to Iraq and two to the RNZAF (later sold on the civil market<ref>[http://nz-serials.adf-serials.com/nz1751.shtml New Zealand Serials – Miles M.57 Aerovan 4]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>).
;Aerovan 5
:Powered by two 145 hp (108 kW) [[de Havilland Gipsy Major]] 10 piston engines. One built.
;Aerovan 6
:Powered by two 195 hp (145 kW) [[Lycoming O-435|Avco Lycoming O-435-A]] piston engines. One built with enlarged outer fins taken from a scrapped [[Miles M.68]].
;[[Hurel-Dubois Miles HDM.105]]
:Venture between Miles and ''[[Societe des Avions Hurel-Dubois]]'' through joint company H.D. et M. (Aviation), Ltd. Aerovan fitted with high-aspect ratio (20.5:1) wing of {{convert|75 |ft| 4| in|m|abbr=on}} span<ref>''Flight'' 1958 p776</ref> of almost the same area as earlier marks, designed by [[Hurel-Dubois]]; influenced the design of the [[Shorts Skyvan]].<ref name="Barnes 1989 p478">Barnes 1989 p478.</ref>  Former Mark 4 ''G-AJOF'' first flew as the HDM.105 on 31 March 1957 as ''G-35-3'' (subsequently re-registered ''G-AHDM'')<ref name="Jackson 1974, p. 82">Jackson 1974, p. 82.</ref> with similar performance to earlier marks.  Damaged and then dismantled in June 1958.<ref>Jackson 1974,  p. 501.</ref><ref>J.A.W.A. 1957, p. 87.</ref>
:An 8,000&nbsp;lb, 75&nbsp;ft span HDM.106 with 290&nbsp;hp Lycoming engines was proposed but not developed.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1957/1957%20-%201228.html "British Aircraft 1957: F G Miles"]. ''Flight'', 30 August 1957, Vol. 72, No. 2536. p. 316.</ref>

==Operators==

===Civil operators===
''Sources:''<ref>Jackson pp. 168-170.</ref>
;{{ANG}}
;{{BEL}}
*[[Belgian Air Service]]{{citation needed|date=November 2017}}
;{{FRA}}
*Compagnie General de T.S.F
;{{IRQ}}
;{{ITA}}
*[[Societe Transporti Aerei Mediterranei]]
;{{KEN}}
*Airwork (East Africa)
;{{NED}}
;{{NZL}}
;{{ESP}}
*[[Aerotechnica]]
*Compañía Auxilar de Navegación Aérea
;{{SUI}}
;{{TUR}}
*[[Turkish State Airlines]]
*[[Hurkus Hava Yollari]]
;{{UK}}
*Air Contractors
*[[Airwork]]
*Arab Contracting and Trading Company
*[[Air Transport Charter|Air Transport (Charter)]]
*[[British Nederland Airservices]]
*[[Channel Islands Air Freight]]
*Culliford Airlines
*East Anglian Flying Services
*Island Air Charters
*Kenning Aviation Ltd
*[[Lancashire Aircraft Corporation]]
*Lockwoods Flying Services
*Meridan Air Maps
*[[North Sea Air Transport]]
*North West Airlines
*Patrick-Duval Aviation
*Sivewright Airways
*[[Skyfreight]]
*[[Skytravel]]
*[[Ulster Aviation]]
*Universal Flying Services

===Military operators===

;{{ISR}}
*[[Israeli Air Force]]
;{{NZL}}
*[[Royal New Zealand Air Force]]
**Research and Development Flight of [[No. 41 Squadron RNZAF]]<ref name="Jackson 1974, p. 82"/>

==Specifications (Aerovan Marks 2, 3, 4)==

{{Aircraft specs
|ref= ''British Civil Aircraft since 1919''<ref>Jackson 1974, p. 171.</ref>
|prime units?= imp
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew= 2
|capacity= 10 passengers
|length ft= 36
|length in=
|length note=
|span ft= 50
|span in=
|span note=
|height ft= 13
|height in= 6
|height note=
|wing area sqft= 390
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil= '''root:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA 23018]]; '''tip:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA 2412]]<ref name="Selig">{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |access-date=16 April 2019}}</ref>
|empty weight lb= 3,000
|empty weight note=
|gross weight lb= 5,800
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight lb=
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number= 2
|eng1 name= [[Blackburn Cirrus Major]] IIA
|eng1 type= 4-cylinder air-cooled inverted in-line piston engine
|eng1 hp= 150
|eng1 note=
|prop blade number= 2
|prop name= Fairey fixed-pitch propellers
|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia note=
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed mph= 127
|max speed note=
|cruise speed mph= 112
|cruise speed note=<br>
*'''Landing speed:''' {{cvt|40|mph|kn km/h|0}}
|stall speed mph=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed note=
|minimum control speed mph=
|minimum control speed note=
|range miles= 400
|range note=
|ferry range miles=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling ft= 13,250
|ceiling note=
|climb rate ftmin= 620
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|wing loading lb/sqft=
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/weight=

|more performance=<!--<br />
*'''Take-off run:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}
*'''Take-off distance to {{cvt|50|ft|0}}:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}
*'''Landing run:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}
*'''Landing distance from {{cvt|50|ft|0}}:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}-->

|avionics=
}}

==See also==
{{Portal|UK|Aviation}}
{{aircontent|
|related=
* [[Miles M.68|Miles M.68 "Boxcar"]]
* [[Miles Merchantman|Miles M.71 Merchantman]]
|similar aircraft=
|sequence=
|lists=
* [[List of aircraft of the Royal New Zealand Air Force and Royal New Zealand Navy]]
}}

==References==

===Citations===
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* Amos, Peter. and Brown, Don Lambert. ''Miles Aircraft Since 1925, Volume 1''. London: Putnam Aeronautical, 2000. {{ISBN|0-85177-787-2}}.
* Barnes C.H. and James Derek N. ''Shorts Aircraft since 1900''. London: Putnam, 1989. {{ISBN|0-85177-819-4}}.
* Brown, Don Lambert. ''Miles Aircraft Since 1925''. London: Putnam & Company Ltd., 1970. {{ISBN|0-370-00127-3}}.
* Dor, Amos. "Short-Lived 'Duck'": Israel's One-off Miles Aerovan. ''[[Air Enthusiast]]'', No. 109, January/February 2004, pp.&nbsp;26–28.
* Jackson, A.J. ''British Civil Aircraft 1919–1959, Volume 2.'' London: Putnam & Company Ltd., 1960.
* Jackson, A.J. ''British Civil Aircraft since 1919, Volume 3.'' London: Putnam & Company Ltd., 1974. {{ISBN|0-370-10014-X}}.
* ''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1956-7.'' London: Jane's PublishingCo. Ltd.
* {{citation |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1945/1945%20-%201106.html |title=Miles Aerovan (M.57) |date=7 June 1945 |journal=Flight |publisher=flightglobal.com |pages=604–605}}
* {{citation |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1957/1957%20-%200502.html |title=HDM105 – Hurel's Aero with Miles' Van |journal=Flight |date=19 April 1957 |pages=504–505, 524 |publisher=flightglobal.com }}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[[:fr:Société de construction des avions Hurel-Dubois|Hurel-Dubois on Fr Wikipedia]]
*[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1958/1958%20-%200760.html ''Flight'' 1958 the Hurel-Dubois wing on the Aerovan]

{{Miles aircraft}}

[[Category:1940s British civil utility aircraft]]
[[Category:Miles aircraft|Aerovan]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1945]]
[[Category:High-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Twin piston-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Triple-tail aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft with fixed tricycle landing gear]]