Miles Hawk Speed Six

Miles Hawk Speed Six was a British two‑seat light aircraft produced by Miles Aircraft in the late 1930s. Designed as a fast, economical trainer and touring plane, it derived from the earlier Miles Hawk series but incorporated a more powerful de Havilland Gipsy Six engine delivering 200 hp. First flown on 28 May 1938, the Speed Six featured a low‑wing monoplane configuration, all‑metal wing ribs with a wooden spruce spar, and a streamlined fuselage of wood and fabric construction. Its retractable undercarriage and variable‑pitch propeller gave it a top speed of around 225 mph, markedly higher than contemporary light aircraft, and it could cruise comfortably at 200 mph. Only 33 examples were built before production halted due to the outbreak of World War II. The Hawk Speed Six demonstrated that high performance could be achieved in a modestly sized aircraft, influencing post‑war designs such as the Miles Gemini and informing the development of British private aviation. Its blend of speed, handling and simplicity earned it a reputation as a pioneer of fast civilian touring aircraft and a testament to Miles Aircraft’s engineering ingenuity. Today a few restored examples still appear at vintage air shows, reminding enthusiasts of the aircraft’s lasting legacy.