Miles Sparrowjet

The Miles Sparrowjet was a small, single‑engine, jet‑propelled trainer and sport aircraft developed by the British firm Miles Aircraft in the early 1950s. Conceived as a low‑cost alternative to the rapidly expanding jet fleet, the Sparrowjet used a de‑rated version of the Turbomeca Marboré turbo‑jet mounted centrally in the fuselage with air inlets on either side of the cockpit. Its all‑metal, low‑wing monoplane design retained the graceful lines of earlier Miles models while incorporating a retractable tricycle undercarriage and a fully sealed, pressurised cockpit canopy. Only three prototypes flew between 1953 and 1955, demonstrating respectable performance – a top speed of 400 km/h (250 mph), a climb rate of 3 000 ft/min and a service ceiling above 10 000 m – while consuming remarkably little fuel for a jet of its era. Although the aircraft never entered production, the Sparrowjet proved that a compact turbo‑jet could be integrated into a conventional trainer airframe, influencing later light‑jet concepts such as the Cessna T‑37 and Pilatus PC‑9. Its legacy lies in showcasing Miles Aircraft’s innovative engineering approach during the transition from piston‑propelled to jet‑powered aviation. A restored prototype now hangs in the Royal Air Force Museum, symbolising Miles’ daring post‑war jet venture.

Miles Aircraft

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