The Miles M 52: a project in the shadows.

[Rheged]

This information is very limited, and I would welcome any additions anyone is able to make.

The Miles M 52: a project  in the shadows.

Air Ministry Specification E.24/43 of  October 1943, called  for a jet-powered research plane to reach supersonic speeds. The contract, called for an "aeroplane capable of flying over 1,000 mph (1,600 km/h) in level flight." The specification was intended only to match the supposed performance of a German aircraft: the 1,000 mph requirement resulted from the mistranslation of an intercept stating that the maximum speed was 1,000 km/h .

Miles Aircraft, mainly known for low-technology trainers, were awarded the contract.  In late 1944, three prototypes were ordered and in February 1946 they were about 80% complete. At this point, politics  crept into the story.

It is alleged that  the USA agreed to supply data  which allowed the UK to make rapid progress toward Nuclear status in return for cancellation of the M52 project.  In February 1946 the Director of Scientific Research, Sir Ben Lockspeiser,  announced the cancellation of the project. At this point, the Miles M52 enters the shadows.

Recently released MOD documentation, which was declassified under the 50 year rule has added new chapters to this story. It is probable that this declassification was an error and the data should have been held for at least a further  25 years before publication.

A memo dated   2nd March 1946 from Ben Lockspeiser clearly states ".... Whilst we have agreed to publicly announce this cancellation, it was never made clear when the cancellation would actually take place......." Miles Aircraft went into receivership in 1947, and the intellectual property rights were acquired by Handley Page.  However, a "shell" company entitled "Perfidious Albion & Company Limited" was set up at the same time  to "...explore and produce technology  of advanced speed and construction......"

It appears that the three prototypes could have been completed and shipped to the new testing station in the Woomera-Maralinga region of Australia.  They may possibly have been dispatched in several crates carried by SS Fairhaven, shipped on 7th January 1948 from the supposedly closed Miles works in Reading  to "Perfidious Albion Pty, via Adelaide"  Detached flight, 618 Squadron flew out to Australia with four new Avro Lincoln aircraft for trials and testing at about the same time. It was hinted that   improved H2S radar techniques were being trialled, although this was never actually publicly stated.

In the months that followed, unexpected noises were heard over the outback, culminating in a distinctive "double boom" on 4th July 1948.   Further declassified documents refer to "... piercing the shockwave..."   and "...830 miles per hour attained without excessive vibration..."       It is also noted that  the RAE test pilot Eric Brown was 'unavailable' between  March  and August 1948.

No further data has been released, but 618 Squadron's Detached Flight returned by troopship to the UK in September 1948, having handed over their aircraft to the RAAF.

There has been considerable speculation regarding the source of data unexpectedly and unattributably made available to the Fairey Delta 2 and English Electric Lightning design teams in connection with supersonic flight.

I have no doubt that a great deal of this story remains to be told, and I'd welcome any information that other contributors to this forum could supply.  Perhaps some of our Australian correspondents hold details that could develop this further?

[The Wooksta!]

618 were disbanded in 1945.

The M52 was cancelled largely because the Ministry felt it too dangerous to risk a pilot's life but also because the engine wasn't giving the design thrust.  The aerodynamics were fine though.

I like the idea that it was developed in a scale form as an early air to ground guided weapon.  At full size it would be an idea bunker buster.  Imagine the damage one of those could do against La Rochelle?

[Rheged]

618 were disbanded in 1945.

The M52 was cancelled largely because the Ministry felt it too dangerous to risk a pilot's life but also because the engine wasn't giving the design thrust.  The aerodynamics were fine though.

I like the idea that it was developed in a scale form as an early air to ground guided weapon.  At full size it would be an idea bunker buster.  Imagine the damage one of those could do against La Rochelle?

You are absolutely dead accurate in your factual reporting, and I salaam in oriental fashion to your expertise.

As you say, just imagine La Rochelle ,or  Keroman U boat pens at Lorient, on the receiving end.   People some distance away would assuredly end up with a ringing in their ears (at very least).


However, I've always enjoyed whiffery, even if the facts don't quite match........perhaps 618 'detached flight' were a Black set up?

[The Wooksta!]

Possible, but given the amount of squadrons moving about at that time, surely it would be easier to use one of the Lancaster equipped squadrons in India than ship 4 aircraft out from the UK? 

618 never flew anything bigger than Mosquitos either.  Beaufighters, Baracudas and Mossies and probably lighter hacks too.  Sorry to pick holes with that bit but I've made collecting info on 618 one of my aims over the years.  I suggest "A Most Secret Squadron" by Des Curtis as a good place to start - IF you can get a copy!  It took me the best part of 6 years to track one down.

Getting the facts right, or at least getting them to sound plausible with the gullible, is one of the key parts of my brand of whiffing.  The best place to hide a lie is surrounded by truth and the more subtle a whiff, the better.

I've a Mosquito that I was given some years back with the TT39 nose attached.  It'll eventually tote the 33rd scale model of the M52 but as a guided bomb with the Central Bomber Establishment. 

IIRC, there's a kit of the M52 but it's expensive and not particularly brilliant.  I have two somewhere.  Aparently, a 72nd V2, chopped up and rearranged, is an excellent basis for an M52.  Obviously, you'd have to do the wings.

[NARSES2]

Fantastic - I like your take on Wiffery Rheged - matches my sense of humour   

"Perfidious Albion & Company Limited" 

[Rheged]

Fantastic - I like your take on Wiffery Rheged - matches my sense of humour   

"Perfidious Albion & Company Limited" 

I must confess that I'm just using a remark from   the BBC programme "Yes, Minister"   It's not my own invention.

I'm a great believer in picking "Other Men's Flowers".   General Wavell actually assembled a book of poetry and quotations  with that title !

[rickshaw]

Yes, he did! I have a copy, quite a rare one at that, of it on my bookshelf as I type.   

[Rheged]

Yes, he did! I have a copy, quite a rare one at that, of it on my bookshelf as I type.   

My father has a copy of "Other Men's Flowers" . He tells the story he heard from a cousin on Wavell's staff in India.   The Viceroy's  residence had  a lake where two swans  took up residence.  The staff asked  Wavell what they should call them. What pearls of wisdom would be culled from Other Men's Flowers.  Wavell thought for a moment   " Call them Swan and Edgar"

Turns out he was a shareholder in this London department store!!