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A few years ago, amongst a large collection of aviation material brought at auction, was a box with two wooden aircraft models in, and a few line drawings with them.
The models have been looked at by a number of people 'in the know' with only some rough ideas of which are detailed below. The only thing certain is that the design of the aircraft, together with the other considerations all point to the aircraft being a project for a company similar to, and of the same period as, Miles.
The aircraft was designed as a high-wing monoplane with two inline pusher engines, each of which are in line with one of the twin fins.
The undercarriage is of tricycle type, with the front wheel retracting into the nose, and the main wheels retracting into the engine compartments.
The doorway into the aircraft is situated behind the trailing edge of the wing, and the compartment beneath the wing would probably house the luggage compartment and toilet.
Forward of this compartment is double doors which lead to the 6 seat passenger area. The pilot sits in the seventh seat at the front of the aircraft, like in a Dragon Rapide.
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The aircraft have been professionally made, one on a stand with undercarriage retracted, and the other which sits on its extended undercarriage.
The colours schemes are: black with red stripe on one, and green with cream stripe on the other.
Both have the "Speedbird" symbol either side of the nose.
Both use engines believed to be Gipsy Majors, like many Miles aircraft were designed with.
Possibly the largest clue is the registration 'G-ALFM'. Although this could mean anything, it was almost certainly chosen to represent the aircraft's use or type, or even its designer or place of manufacture.
For example: The H.D.M.105 had a registration of G-ADHM which stood for G - A Hurel-Dubois Miles
Our belief is that it could mean one of the following:
G - A L(?) F(?) Miles
Or possibly
General - Aircraft Light Ferry Machine
G - Advanced Light Ferry Machine
There are two line drawings, which are drawn professionally on proper linen which is of the same period as the models. Unfortunately there are no markings, or text, on the drawings to give any further clues.
We have seen many similar projects from other companies, including Miles and General Aircraft, but no project has been found to be close enough to suggest that it has anything to do with these models.
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