Miles M.25 Martinet (Queen Martinet)
 

History

    The Miles Martinet was a target-tug monoplane, a later version called the Queen Martinet was an unmanned target aircraft. The prototype was flown for the first time on 24th April, 1942. The type entered service as the Miles Martinet, and between 1942 and 1945 some 1,793 aircraft were built, 67 'Queen Martinet' unmanned aircraft were also built; 11 new ones and 54 conversions.

    Miles Martinet: A total of almost 400 Miles Martinets were transferred to the Fleet Air Arm from the RAF between 1943-1946. The first was taken in 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 squadrons; 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 Fleet Air Arm 1939 - 1945
 about 400
First delivered to the Royal Navy
 1943
First squadron 1939-1945
 793 Squadron 1943
Operational Squadron
 804 Squadron 1941
Last served with the Royal Navy
 Post War up until 1947



Martinet MS815 RAF serving with Belgium in 1946
Surviving aircraft and relics
At least one Miles Martinet is known to be preserved in a museum. Miles Airframes Believed To Be Still In Existance -Miles M25 Martinet: MS902: Miles Martinet TT.1 MS902 was built at Woodley in 1943 and was delivered to 27MU at Shawbury on the 21st of 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, on the 18th of December, 1943, probably assigned to the Station Flight, on the 8th of January, 1944. Assigned to 251 Squadron, on the 19th of July, 1945. Assigned to RAF Reykjavik for use with Station Flight.

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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:
11.89 m
9.42 m
3.53 m
Empty Weight:
Max.Weight:
 2,105 kg
3,062 kg
Speed:
Range:
 386 km/h
1,120km
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