INDEX OF NAVAL AIRCRAFT

Miles M.25 Martinet (Queen Martinet)

History

Miles Martinet: A total of almost 400 Miles Martinet were transferred to the Fleet Air Arm from the RAF between 1943-1946. The first was taken on charge in November 1943 at 793 squadron at Piarco (eg EM414), and remained with the Fleet Air Squadrons throughout the rest of the war. The Martinet was mainly used with drogue or other towing duties such as with glider targets. The Martinet served with three main squadron 793 squadron at Piarco, 723 squadron at Nowra, and 728 squadron at Hal Far. Shipping of the Martinets was undertaken in earnest to Royal Navy installations around the world from 1943-1944, for example:

December 1943 Martinets shipped to Cochin in SS Pentridge,
February 1944 Martinets shipped to Gibraltar in SS Glen Finlas onwards to Ta Kali,
April 1944 Martinets shipped to Alexandria in SS City of Chester,
May 1944 Martinets shipped to Gibraltar in SS Empire Wolf
June 1944 Martinets shipped to Trinidad in SS Comedian,
June 1944 Martinets shipped to Capetown in SS City of Bristol,
July 1944 Martinets shipped to Gibraltar in SS Clan Forbes thence to Dekheila or RNARY Coimbatoire
August 1944 Martinets shipped in SS Sarmiento to Cochin.

Some 46 were still on FAA charge in August 1945. The last Martinet to serve with the Royal Navy was RG995 which served with 728 squadron until December 1947. Although Martinet RG971 was listed on the Balado Dump as late as March 1952.

Miles Queen Martinet: The Miles Queen Martinet consisted on three unmanned drone target conversions. All three were sent for duties in 728 squadron at Ta Kali or to 773 squadron at Brawdy between 1945-46.

Fleet Air Arm history

        Miles Martinet
        Total FAA 1939-1945:        c400
        First delivered to RN:         1943
        First squadron 1939-1945:   793 sqdn 1943
        Operational squadron:          804 sqdn 1941
        Last served with RN            postwar up until 1947

Aircraft Type:	Miles M.25 Martinet (Queen Martinet)
Mark:	Mk I
Primary Role:	Martinet target tug Queen Martinet: Three unmanned drone target conversions
First Flight:	24 April, 1942
Date operating with FAA squadrons:	1943-1946
Manufacturer:	Miles
Engine:	One 650kW Bristol Mercury 30 engine
Wing Span: Length: Height: Wing Area:	Wing Span: 11.89m Length: 9.42m Height: 3.53m Wing Area:
Empty Weight: Max.Weight:	Empty Weight: 2105kg Max.Weight: 3062kg
Speed: Ceiling: Range:	Speed: 386km/h Ceiling: Range: 1120km
Armament:	None
Crew:	1
Squadrons:	Martinet: 718, 722, 723, 725, 726,728,733,736,740,766,770,771,772,773,775,776,779,789,792,793 Piarco, 793,794,797 Queen Martinet: All to 728 sqdn Ta Kali or 773 Brawdy 1945-46
Battle honours:	None with FAA
Additional references and notes:	-

Battle Honours and Operational History
None with the Fleet Air Arm

Martinet MS815 RAF serving with Belgium in 1946

Surviving aircraft and relics

At least one Miles Martinet is known to be preserved in the world's museum. For further details see Miles Airframes Believed To Be Still In Existance
Museum of Berkshire Aviation Miles M25 Martinet: MS902: Miles Martinet TT.1 MS902 was built at Woodley in 1943 and was delivered to 27MU at Shawbury on 21 October 1943. In December 1943 it went to MU (Packing Unit) to be prepared for shipment to Reykjavik. Arrived at Reykjavik, on the SS Isobell, 18 December 1943, probably assigned to the Station Flight, 8 January 1944. Assigned to 251 Squadron, July 19 1945. Assigned to RAF Reykjavik for use with Station Flight.

Associations and reunions
No information

FURTHER INFORMATION
Miles M.25 Martinet in Miles Aircraft Production website	Miles Aircraft Production A Summary of Miles Aircraft and their Histories. Includes Aeroplane Specifications Individual Airframe Histories and Pictures
Museum of Berkshire Aviation and their Miles Martinet	Details of the Martinet and the history of the Museum's example
Martinets in Belgium	Details of the Miles Magister in service in Belgium
	Sturtivant, R. & Burrow, M (1995) 'Fleet Air Arm Aircraft 1939 to 1945' Published by Air Britain (Historians) Ltd, 1995 ISBN: 085130 232 7

Created 3-4-1999, Modified 3-4-2000

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