History

The Miles M.14 Magister was designed as a trainer for the RAF.  The aircraft entered production in October 1937, and  in 1940 up to 15 Magisters were outfitted to carry 11.3 kg bombs. A total of 1,293 M.14s were built and saw service primarily in the RAF. The Magister also saw service with Commonwealth countries, one Magister served in RAAF colours and was purchased for comparison with the Tiger Moth and the CAC Wacket.

17 Miles Magister Mk I were on Royal Naval charge between 1939-1945. The first 11 were delivered prior to WWII between 1937-1939, initially to 17 Group HQ at Ford in December 1937 (eg L5943). All the aircraft were delivered to 780 squadron at Eastleigh between September 1939-May 1941, except for 2 which were on Fleet Air Arm loan from the RAF in the Middle East to Dekheila (aircraft serials P2400 and R1948).

The last Magister on Fleet Air Arm charge was Magister L8204 which was paid off in January 1945.

 

Fleet Air Arm history

    Miles Magister
    Total FAA 1939-1945:        6 (total of 17 from 1937-1945)
    First delivered to RN:         1937
    First squadron 1939-1945:   780 sdqn 1939
    Operational squadron:          None
    Last served with RN            1945

16 Airframes are believed to be in existance, the latest to be restored in 2000 is T9768 which had been in storage for years. The main museums where they are preserved include:
 
Museum of Berkshire Aviation (UK)
•      Miles M 14 Magister I: L6905
 Shuttleworth Collection, Old Warden
•           Miles M 14 Magister: P6382 / G-AJRS
Manchester Museum of Science and Industry (UK)
•      Miles M 14 Magister T 1: T9707
Musée de l'Armée et d'Histoire Militaire, Bruxelles (Belgium)
•      Miles M 14 A Magister: OO-NIC
Turkish Air Force Museum, Izmar (Turkey)
•      Miles M 14 Magister
Imperial War Museum, Duxford (UK)
•      Miles M 14 A Magister I: G-AFBS
Private - Bob Trickett, Kings Lynn (UK)
• Miles Magister T9768

Magister G-AFBS RAF preserved at the IWM Duxford (UK)

M.14A Magister 1750 P6382 Airworthy Shuttleworth Collection, Old Warden, England

Shuttleworth Collection, Old Warden Miles M 14 Magister Registration: P6382 / G-AJRS.Miles M.14 A Magister P6382. One of only three preserved airworthy Magisters in the world. Often incorrectly quoted as being G-AJDR, as the aircraft arrived at Old Warden wearing that registration. However, logbook inspection revealed an earlier change of fuselage (to which an airplane identify is attached) to that of  P6382, which had not held a civil registration. Restored to fly by Shuttleworth apprentices, building-in components from these specimens (for further information about Miles M.14 A Magister P6382).

Magister L6906 preserved at the Museum of Berkshire Aviation (UK)

Museum of Berkshire Aviation Miles M 14 Magister I Miles M.14A Hawk Trainer3 (Magister): L6906. This aircraft started life as Miles M. 14A Magister, serial number T9841, with c/n 2078, being one of the last batch of 300 Magister I aircraft delivered from Woodley between May 1940 and January 1941. It was first used by No. 16 EFTS and then by No. 11 EFTS before being sold to BOAC for use by their Speedbird flying club on 8 June 1948.

 

FURTHER INFORMATION   Miles M.14 Magister in Miles Aircraft Production website Miles Aircraft Production A Summary of Miles Aircraft and their Histories. Includes Aeroplane Specifications Individual Airframe Histories and Pictures  Martin Photos  -Vintage Aircraft Photo Sets Magister T9707  Magister vintage air photos High Flight article on Miles Magister  High Flight article on Miles Magister balsa model construction  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

---

 

Return to Home Page

 

This page is published by Fleet Air Arm Archive and is updated regularly.
© 2000-2001 All rights reserved for all information created for or on behalf of the Fleet Air Arm Archive
Contact email: drucker@fleetairarmarchive.net