Miles Aerovan Overview

The Miles M.57 Aerovan is a British twin-engine light transport aircraft that first flew on January 26, 1945. It was designed by George Miles during World War II to meet the need for a versatile aircraft capable of operating from short, unprepared airstrips. The Aerovan features a high-wing, cantilever monoplane design with a pod-like fuselage and a distinctive triple-tail configuration mounted on a thin tail boom [?] [?].

Design and Features

The Aerovan was initially intended for military use but found its niche in civilian applications. Its design includes:
- A large perspex canopy for the pilots.
- A fuselage with four or five circular windows on each side for passenger use.
- Rear clamshell doors enabling easy loading of cargo, including vehicles up to the size of a family car.
- Options for soundproofing and other comfort amenities.

Various engines were used in different models, including the Blackburn Cirrus Major, de Havilland Gipsy Major, and Lycoming O-435, which allowed modifications to enhance performance [?] [?].

Operational History

The Aerovan was widely used by civilian operators for tasks ranging from passenger transport to freight services and even unique operations like livestock transport and aerial survey work. Its ability to handle diverse loads made it popular among operators despite its somewhat troubled operational history, with many aircraft lost due to crashes, strong winds, and other incidents [?] [?].

Variants

The Aerovan had several variants, each with specific modifications:
- Aerovan I: The prototype with a short fuselage and four square windows.
- Aerovan II: Featured a longer fuselage and circular windows.
- Aerovan III: Seven built, used mainly in the UK and Belgium.
- Aerovan IV: The main production model, with 43 built.
- Aerovan V and VI: Featured more powerful engines and other improvements.

Notable Operators

The Aerovan saw international service with various operators, including the Israeli Air Force, which used it during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, and the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), which tested it for aerial topdressing and survey work. However, the RNZAF found the Aerovan unsuitable for these tasks and subsequently sold the aircraft for civilian use [?] [?].

Legacy

Despite its innovative design and versatility, the Aerovan struggled with reliability issues and did not achieve long-term commercial success. Many were lost to accidents and adverse weather, but the aircraft remains a notable example of mid-20th-century British aviation ingenuity. The last operational Aerovan was reportedly in service until 1968 in Italy [?].

The Miles Aerovan's unique design and operational history make it a fascinating subject for aviation enthusiasts and a notable entry in the annals of British aircraft development.

Aerovan in France:

the Miles Aerovan did operate in France. Although no Aerovans were produced under license in France, the aircraft found commercial use there post-World War II. The Aerovan was popular among civilian operators in various European countries, including France, Belgium, and Switzerland, due to its affordability and versatility [?]. This highlights its role in the French aviation sector despite not being manufactured domestically.

AG1: NAVIGATION LIGHTS

AG2: BOARDING AND SERVICE GATE

AG3: CHARGING AND VEHICLE DOOR