In 1936, Miles produced the Peregrine, their first twin-engined aircraft, and the first of the long Miles range in which Mr. F. G. Miles was unable to make the initial test-flight, owing to his absence on a visit to America.
The Peregrine proved to be a very good aeroplane, capable of carrying six or eight people at 180 mph - a very marked improvement on the performance of its contemporaries - and, although many orders were received, quantity production was prevented by the priority demanded for the large Magister trainer contract.
Only two Peregrines were built - the prototype and a special research version for the Royal Aircraft Establishment. The prototype, which was of all-wooden construction, was powered by two Gipsy Six II engines, while the special machine was fitted with two Menasco Buccaneer engines and had the first metal surfaces to appear on a Miles type, the tail being covered with a duralumin sheet skin.
Known as the B.L.S. Peregrine, the second machine had finely perforated metal sheets fitted in place of the upper surface covering of the wing between the spars, air being drawn into the wing through a suction system driven by a 10 hp Ford car engine installed in the cabin.
Tests with this machine provided valuable information on boundary layer control problems, and these results influenced future wing design.