View source for Miles Hawk

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2018}}
{{Infobox aircraft
  |name = M.2 Hawk 
  |image = MHawk.jpg
  |caption = 
  |type = Two-seat light monoplane
  |manufacturer = [[Miles Aircraft|Miles Aircraft Limited]]
  |designer = [[Frederick George Miles]]
  |first_flight = 29 March 1933
  |introduction = 
  |retired = 
  |status = Out of production, out of service
  |primary_user = 
  |more_users = 
  |produced = March 1933-July 1934<ref name="Brown 61"/>
  |number_built =  55<ref name="Brown 61"/>
  |developed_from = 
  |variants = [[Miles Hawk Major]]
}}

The '''Miles M.2 Hawk''' was a twin-seat light monoplane designed and produced by the [[United Kingdom|British]] aircraft manufacturer [[Miles Aircraft|Miles Aircraft Limited]] during the 1930s. It is the first of the company's aircraft to attain quantity production.

The Hawk's development started in 1932 following a conversation between designer  [[Frederick George Miles|F.G. Miles]] and Charles Powis, the latter offering Miles hangar space at [[Woodley Aerodrome]] to build his proposed affordable twin-seat [[monoplane]]. The aircraft was designed by Miles and his wife, while construction of the prototype was mostly performed by the carpenter Harry Hull. On 29 March 1933, the prototype performed its [[maiden flight]].

The aircraft quickly proved its performance to be roughly 50 per cent greater than [[biplane]] contemporaries. Within 15 months, 47 Hawks had been sold to various domestic customers. An advanced derivative, the [[Miles Hawk Major]], was also quickly developed, alongside several specialised versions of the original aircraft. Amongst other uses, the Hawk was entered into numerous [[air race]]s. Production of the original Hawk series came to an end during July 1934.

==Development==
===Origins===
The origins of the Hawk can be traced back to late 1932 and a discussion between [[Frederick George Miles|F. G. Miles]] and Charles Powis in which the former expressed a desire to produce an affordable twin-seat low-wing [[monoplane]].<ref name="Brown 56"/> Powis, recognising the potential value of such a venture, opted to provide hangar space at [[Woodley Aerodrome]] for Miles to construct such an aircraft. Coincidentally, a batch of [[ADC Cirrus|ADC Cirrus IIIA]] were also available at a discounted price, substantially reducing the cost of the overall aircraft.<ref name="Brown 56"/> In light of these suitable conditions, construction of the first prototype commenced immediately following Powis' offer.<ref name="Brown 56">Brown 1970, p. 56.</ref>

The design of the aircraft was produced by Miles and his wife, while much of the construction was performed by the carpenter Harry Hull, with some work undertaken by the Miles themselves.<ref name="Brown 57"/> The design employed high-stress factors throughout, the calculations and blueprints all being produced by the Miles. Originally known as the ''Ibex'', it was decided to change the name to ''Hawk'' to avoid possible confusion with the [[Hinkler Ibis]].<ref name="Brown 57">Brown 1970, p. 57.</ref>

The prototype Hawk performed the type's [[maiden flight]] on 29 March 1933.<ref name="jkv3p43">Jackson 1988, p. 43.</ref><ref name="Brown 57"/> As a consequence of its relatively clean design, it was quickly proven that its performance was about 50 per cent greater than that of its typical [[biplane]] contemporaries. Despite its performance, the control surfaces exhibited no tenancy to [[Aeroelastic flutter|flutter]] even when intentionally flown to induce the phenomenon.<ref name="Brown 57"/> Within a week, 53 different pilots had flown the aircraft.<ref name="Brown 57"/>

===Production===
Orders for the Hawk quickly followed the early test flights; within 15 months, 47 aircraft had been sold domestically.<ref name="Brown 57"/> Its owners were typically keen to enter them in various [[air race]]s; the first production aircraft, ''G-ACHJ'', was promptly flown in the [[King's Cup air race]] of 1933, while the second, ''G-ACHK'', was a contender for the [[Wakefield Cup]].<ref name="Brown 58">Brown 1970, p. 58.</ref>

The aircraft sold relatively well for the time, partially as a consequence of its relatively low base purchase price of only £395. On the back of this success, Miles endeavoured to expand the production range in pursuit of further sales.<ref name="Brown 57"/> In response to individual customer requirements, the company constructed a number of special one-off models, which included a cabin monoplane (M.2A), a long-range single-seater (M.2B) and three-seat versions for joy riding (M.2D).<ref name="Brown 589">Brown 1970, pp. 58-59.</ref>

During 1934, in reaction to the appearance of the inverted [[de Havilland Gipsy Major]] engine, an improved model of the Hawk was quickly introduced, known as the [[Miles Hawk Major]]. This was also accompanied by a specialised version intended for [[air racing]], the principal changes of which being the removal of the front seat to permit the installation of a longer and more powerful six-cylinder [[de Havilland Gipsy Six]]; it is sometimes referred to the ''Miles Hawk Speed Six''. Production of the original Hawk series came to an end in July 1934.<ref name="Brown 61">Brown 1970, p. 61.</ref>

==Design==
The Miles Hawk was a two-seat lightweight [[cantilever]] monoplane. Somewhat unusually for the era, it featured wings that were designed to be folded. The aircraft had an open cockpit with a [[tandem]] seating arrangement for two. The airframe was largely composed of [[spruce]], with the exterior being covered by a combination of [[birch]] and [[ply (layer)|ply]]; even elements such as the engine mounts were made of wood to reduce costs.<ref name="Brown 56"/> The [[landing gear|undercarriage]] was supplied by [[Dowty Group]], which were furnished with low-pressure tyres.<ref name="Brown 578">Brown 1970, pp. 57-58.</ref> Some Hawks, but not all, were furnished with wheel brakes.<ref name="Brown 56"/>

==Variants==
;M.2
:Standard production two-seat version, powered by a single 95 hp [[A.D.C. Cirrus IIIA]] engine.
;M.2A
:Cabin version powered by a [[de Havilland Gipsy III]] engine, one built.<ref name="Brown 58"/>
;M.2B
:Long-range single-seater powered by an [[A.D.C Cirrus Hermes|A.D.C Cirrus Hermes IV]], one-built.<ref name="Brown 589">Brown 1970, pp. 58-59.</ref>
;M.2C
:Re-engined with one 120 hp [[de Havilland Gipsy III]] engine, one built.<ref name="Brown 59">Brown 1970, p. 59.</ref>
;M.2D
:Three-seat version with one 95 hp [[A.D.C. Cirrus IIIA]] engine, six built.<ref name="Brown 5961">Brown 1970, pp. 59-61.</ref>

===Hawk Major===
{{main|Miles Hawk Major}}
The Hawk Major was developed to take advantage of the inverted design of the new [[de Havilland Gipsy Major]] engine. Lowering the cylinders below the propeller shaft axis greatly improved pilot visibility and allowed a shorter, lighter undercarriage.

The '''Hawk Speed Six''' was a single-seat racing variant of the Hawk Major, with a larger Gipsy Six engine.

==Operators==

===Military operators===
;{{AUS}}
*[[Royal Australian Air Force]] - Two aircraft
;{{NZL}}
*[[Royal New Zealand Air Force]]
;{{flag|South Africa|1928}}
*[[South African Air Force]]

==Specifications (M.2)==
{{Aircraft specs
|ref= ''British Civil Aircraft 1919–1972: Volume III'',<ref name="jkv3p467">Jackson 1988, p. 467.</ref> ''Miles Aircraft Since 1925, Volume 1''<ref name="Brown 6162">Brown 1970, pp. 61-62.</ref>
|prime units? = imp
|capacity= Two
|length m=
|length ft= 24
|length in= 0
|span m=
|span ft= 33
|span in= 0
|height m=
|height ft= 6
|height in= 8
|wing area sqm=
|wing area sqft= 169
|empty weight lb= 1,014
|gross weight lb= 1,800
|eng1 number= 1
|eng1 name= [[ADC Cirrus|ADC Cirrus IIIA]] piston engine
|eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 hp=<!-- prop engines -->95
|max speed kmh=
|max speed mph= 115
|cruise speed kmh=<!-- if max speed unknown -->
|cruise speed mph= 100<!-- if max speed unknown -->
|range km=
|range miles= 450
|ceiling m=
|ceiling ft= 16,000
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate ftmin= 860
}}

==See also==
{{aircontent|
|related=
* [[Miles Hawk Major]]
|similar aircraft=
* [[González Gil-Pazó GP-1]]
|lists=
|see also=
}}

==References==
{{commons category|Miles Hawk}}

===Citations===

{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{refbegin}}
* Amos, Peter. and Brown, Don Lambert. ''Miles Aircraft Since 1925, Volume 1''. London: Putnam Aeronautical, 2000. {{ISBN|0-85177-787-2}}.
* Brown, Don Lambert. ''Miles Aircraft Since 1925''. London: Putnam & Company Ltd., 1970. {{ISBN|0-370-00127-3}}.
* ''The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985)''. Orbis Publishing.
* Jackson, A.J. ''British Civil Aircraft since 1919''. London: Putnam, 1974. {{ISBN|0-370-10014-X}}.
* Jackson, A.J. ''British Civil Aircraft 1192–1972 Volume 3''. London: Putnam, 1988. {{ISBN|0-85177-818-6}}.
{{refend}}

<!-- ==External links== -->

{{Miles aircraft}}
{{ADF aircraft designations}}

[[Category:1930s British sport aircraft]]
[[Category:Miles aircraft|Hawk]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Low-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1933]]
[[Category:Aircraft with fixed conventional landing gear]]