The all-blue G-ALAW spent most of its civilian career in the Midlands but was caught a little further south when visiting the Biggin Hill Air Fair in early May 1964. In those days there were fewer fences at the event.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Miles Messenger M.38 / M.48 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

Messenger 4A G-ALAW as No.23 shows the climb capabilities of the type when taking part in a performance competition.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Miles Messenger M.38 / M.48 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

Messenger I RH420 went to Blackburns 11.10.46 as a test bed for their 180 hp Bombardier 4-cylinder inverted in-line fuel injection engine, making it the only Mk.5. In its original camouflage it flew in Class B marks as G-2-1.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Miles Messenger M.38 / M.48 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

An ex-military Messenger with square rear windows still survives! After a long period of restoration G-AKVZ flew again in 1994 and was a welcome visitor to the Great Vintage Flying Weekend at Kemble on 16.5.99. Colour scheme is silver with black letters.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Miles Messenger M.38 / M.48 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

G-AHZS c/n 6331 seen at Ramsgate 16.9.60 was the first 2A, Cirrus Major, although it had the square rear windows of the 4A. A recent change in regulations allowed smaller registration letters.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Miles Messenger M.38 / M.48 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

Messenger I RH421 became 4A G-ALAE and is seen in basic silver at Southend/Rochford on 7.8.54.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Miles Messenger M.38 / M.48 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

RH425 became 4A G-ALAF for E J Morton in 11.48. He is seen awaiting the starter's flag with race number 4 clearly visible in June (?) 1950. A note on the back says 'Siddeley Trophy' - this was held at Baginton on 2.9.50 around a short course and seems to be the likely location.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Miles Messenger M.38 / M.48 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

Rounding a pylon. E J Morton and G-ALAF race at high speed, which meant about 130 mph for the Messenger.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Miles Messenger M.38 / M.48 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

The same aircraft, G-ALAE looking very smart in a new colour scheme at Coventry/Baginton on 13.7.57.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Miles Messenger M.38 / M.48 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

G-AHXR c/n 6333 was also a 2A with square rear windows. In 11.46 it went to Iraq to replace the crashed G-AHGE and was appropriately registered YI-HRH. It returned to the UK in 1948 but the mystery of its disappearance in 1965 and final fate remain unresolved.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Miles Messenger M.38 / M.48 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

G-AHGE c/n 6330 was a Messenger Mk.4, similar to a 2A with oval rear windows but having a Gipsy Major 10, here being run up bt Squadron Leader Jimmy Nelson AFC. A D/F loop can be seen above the rear cabin. Although Miles noted this as 'No.1' of the civil production run, in was not the first to be certificated or delivered to a customer, that distinction being claimed by G-AHZS.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Miles Messenger M.38 / M.48 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

The Bombardier Messenger 5 was later painted silver as G-ALAC with race no.38 and flown by Peter Lawrence in the South Coast Air Race on 22.9.51. It crashed from a forced landing during the race.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Miles Messenger M.38 / M.48 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

RH427 became 4A G-AKVZ and underwent an engine change to a Gipsy Major 10 Mk.II in 3.58, thereby becoming the only Messenger 4B. It is seen at Gatwick on 12.8.68 and about that time was reported as having a dark blue paint scheme with red registration and dayglow fin/rudder ends.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Miles Messenger M.38 / M.48 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

About to fly the Mk.4 G-AHGE to Baghdad for delivery to the Regent of Iraq, the one-legged Jimmy Nelson is being waved off by his wife at the start of his 3,500 mile flight on 15.5.46. The D/F loop is missing from this view but appears to have been the victim of some crude censorship on the original print!

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Miles Messenger M.38 / M.48 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

G-ALAI at Middleton St George 6.8.65, still with the name "Sky Hook" on the nose from previous owners The Sky Flying Group. It has a wind driven generator in the port wing leading edge and whip type radio aerial.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Miles Messenger M.38 / M.48 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

Smart-looking ZK-BED, ex G-ALAF, was a Wellington resident when photographed there on 20.11.62.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Miles Messenger M.38 / M.48 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

Looking less happy, by 15.10.66 ZK-BED was standing engineless at Ardmore and the following year was destroyed there in a gale.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Miles Messenger M.38 / M.48 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

RH424 served with HQ Technical Training Command Communications Flight at Wyton from 4.7.47 to 16.1.48 when it followed others to 51 MU at Lichfield. It became Mk.4A G-AKZX for aerobatics exponent Neville Browning who made it famous in 1962 as the Messenger that was looped!

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Miles Messenger M.38 / M.48 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942