Miles M.57 Aerovan (59″)

The all-wood construction is shown in detail on the large 2-sheet well-detailed plans and includes working flaps.

Introduction taken from the Article out of RCMW July 2012 issue:- Now it’s been a few years since I have produced a design for Model World so young Mr Van Geffen decided I had sat on my laurels for too long and it was time to get the thumbscrews out and coheres me into producing a new design for 2010. Now I normally have a few subjects I would like to design up my sleeve but as our Ed reeled off a big long list of subjects he would like to see modelled, one or two caught my attention and in particular, the Miles M57 Aerovan. Miles Aircraft were one of those aircraft companies you struggle to list its successes but having said that they were always at the cutting edge of design and were definitely ahead of their time. Take the Aerovan for example, designed during the latter stage of the second world war, the company’s vision that air freight would play a big part in moving and distributing good more quickly and cheaply was indeed proved true. By the 1950s and 60s air freight transportation was big business. But like so many of Miles aircraft, the product could not live up to the vision. The Aerovan concept of a delivery van with wings may have been sound but the design didn’t really live up to expectations. Although it could carry over a ton in payload and have the accolade of being one of the first roll on roll off transporters, It was hopelessly underpowered and a number of high profile crashes really sealed the aircraft’s fate. Now to create a model with such a limited pedigree, does have its complication. Such was the small numbers produced that today there are no examples that currently exist either flying or in museums. Information on the Aerovan is at best sketchy, and drawings are difficult if impossible to get hold of. However our Ed did have a few 3- view drawings up his sleeve and with the help of the Internet, old photos were collected, enough to make a reasonable attempt at designing a model. The only sticking point is trying to understand how the flaps worked; these are shown as being set back from the wing trailing edge. Now it wasn’t clear whether these retracted in and under the wing (like a Super Constellation). However, at a recent talk I gave to the Woking Club, a club member called Peter Shaw introduced himself and said he might be able to help. True to his word, Peter sent me some sketches of the arrangement and all became clear. Apparently, the flaps remained extended behind the wing trailing edge supported and pivoted from two arms extending back. As with most of my plans and of course to make the builders life as easy as possible, Laser Cut parts are available which include all the necessary fuselage formers, wing ribs, tail ribs plus the skeletal framework of the nacelles. A detailed set of VAC forms are available which includes the canopy, the rear doors and the two engine cowls. Both the Laser Cut parts and VAC form sets are available through sarikhoobies.com.

What’s in a Short Kit? – A short kit usually contains, where available, the plan, the laser/CNC cut wood pack, additional wood pack, canopy, cowl or any other available Glass Fibre or plastic moulded items.

What’s in a Laser or CNC Cut Wood Pack? – A CNC or laser cut wood pack contains most, if not all, of the intricately shaped parts shown on the plan, which would be difficult or time-consuming to cut out by hand. It does not contain any sheet or strip wood, which you will need to buy separately. Alternatively, you can purchase an Additional Wood Pack, if available. Our Laser or CNC Cut Wood Packs only contain balsa, ply and lite ply and do not include other materials that may be required to complete the model, such as hardwoods, metals and GRP sheets.