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Miles M.22A

1940 WORLD WAR 2 X-PLANE

Myers M. 22A Story

In order to market the concept of a new light twin-engine state-of-the-art fighter to the British Department of Air before the start of hostilities in World War II (1939-1945), Myers Aircraft The group developed the proposed "M.22" Plans (detailed elsewhere on this website). The aircraft is uniquely positioned to place the cockpit snug against the center and center mass of the main wing aircraft, creating the smallest possible frontal area, thereby reducing drag for superior high-speed performance.

The aircraft will be powered by a pair of inline Rolls-Royce "Griffin" engines with "trail" landing gear and a 10-door "big gun nest" on the leading edge of the main aircraft.

Before abandoning the idea entirely, the M. 22 was further developed as the "M. 22A", following a more traditional design path and following the F. 18/40 specification (requiring a "turret" fighter") / night fighter) through 1940.

The M. 22A was undergoing modifications throughout its design phase, culminating in several major forms (although none were ultimately adopted).

Looks similar to a classic de Havilland DH. 98 "Mosquito" heavy fighter (similar to trunk size), the M.22A received an oval main aircraft with wings mounted under the fuselage (and midship forward), and its inline engine pair was typical of bottom period fashion . Unlike the original M. 22, the M. 22A had a more traditional circular fuselage shape with the cockpit located aft of the nose cone. The empennage will be a twin rudder arrangement (the branch diagram shows a triple rudder fin configuration), and the main weapon will be the nose-embedded artillery assembly. Construction (the semi-monocoque method of ship hulls) relied heavily on wood to protect wartime resources like metals.

The operator should consist of two people (like a Mosquito heavy fighter).

The M. 22A was powered by two liquid-cooled in-line piston engines, which later became the Rolls-Royce "Merlin XX" or "Merlin 60" series powerplants. Housed in an all-new, streamlined nacelle, these engines will be used to drive the three-blade propeller unit in a "pull" fashion to service the platform at an estimated top speed of 405-425 mph to 40,000 feet (requires cockpit pressurization).

The aircraft has a barrel length of 35 feet and a wingspan of 51 feet. The "gross weight" should be 16,500 lbs.

By comparison, the classic Mosquito (B. Mk. Model XVI) reaches 415 mph, is 44.5 feet long, and has a wingspan of 54.1 feet.

As for armament, new fighters should carry a gun-only battery (20mm each) on forward mounts inside or around the nose assembly. One version of the fighter had the guns placed in pairs on either side of the nose, while the other had all four guns side by side under the nose.

In any case, the aircraft was supposed to have considerable frontal firepower against enemy fighters and bombers of the time, giving the platform an excellent attack capability against ground targets. In addition, consideration was given to adding a traverse mechanism to the turret to increase the plane's firing angle from the centerline - adding a unique tactical aspect to the design.

Another form added a complete Boulton Paul turret assembly to the mix, and this complete system deployed a total of four guns.

In any case, the M. 22A suffered the same fate as the earlier M. 22. It was not pursued until 1940, as Britain became more involved in the wartime. For the foreseeable future, the RAF will get by with its current number of fighter jets.

de Havilland Mosquito NF finally fulfilled the requirements of F. 18/40. Series II heavy fighter.