Miles Libellula
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The M.35 and M.39 Libellula (from Libellulidae, the taxonomic name for dragonflies) were a pair of tandem wing aircraft built by Miles Aircraft.
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[edit] Development
There were two designs, the smaller fighter-sized M.35 and the larger M.39. In the end, only prototype M.35 and a reduced-scale M.39B were built and tested. Both designs used one wing at the rear of the fuselage and a smaller one at the front in a tandem wing arrangement; the configuration was like that on canard aircraft designs, but with the front wing contributing more lift. The wings were also at different heights - the front at the top of the fuselage and the rear at the bottom on the M.35, and the other way around for the M.39B.
[edit] M.35
The M.35, drawn up in 1941 was powered by a single pusher engine, the pilot sat at the front with the fore wing just behind and level with his head giving a clear view in most directions. A flying example was built and flown, with typical Miles speed, in six weeks.
[edit] M.39
Though it had some problems, the M.35 proved sufficient to show the idea had merits, and the larger M.39 was drawn up. This would be a twin engined design. A scale version at 5/8ths was built and it flew in mid-1943. Miles continued testing privately, but passed his aircraft over to the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough in 1944. It was damaged in two accidents and repaired each time, but was later broken up with the project’s cancellation.
[edit] Specifications (M.35)
[edit] General characteristics
- DIMENSIONS
- Span - both wings: 20ft (6m)
- Length: 20ft 3in (6.1m)
- Height: 6ft 9in (205m)
- Wing area: - front wing 45 sq ft (4 m²) - rear wing 90 sq ft (8.3 m²)
- WEIGHTS
- Empty: 1,4601b (662kg)
- Loaded: 1,850lb (839kg)
- Powerplant: One 130 h.p. de Havilland Gipsy Major
[edit] Performance
No details available
[edit] Specifications (M.39B)
[edit] General characteristics
- DIMENSIONS
- Span: - front wing - 25ft (7.6m) - rear wing, 37ft 7in (10.5m)
- Length: 22ft 2in (6.7m)
- Height: 9ft 3in (2.8m)
- Wing area: - front wing 61.7 sq ft (6.64 m²) - rear wing 187.5 sq ft (20.16 m²)
- WEIGHTS
- Empty: 2,405lb (1,108kg)
- Loaded: 2,800lb (1,270kg)
- Powerplants: Two 140 h.p. de Havilland Gipsy Major IC
[edit] Performance
- Maximum speed: 164 mph (367 km/h)
[edit] References
<references/>
- The Miles 'Dragonflies' - Aeroplane Monthly - June 1973
[edit] External links
