It was described by the manufacturer as the "safest light aeroplane in the world" Designed as a twin-engined retractable landing gear version of the earlier Miles Messenger the Gemini first flew on 26 October 1945. The Gemini was a four-seat low-wing cantilever monoplane of plastic-bonded plywood construction. It had twin vertical tail units. Originally powered by 90 hp (67,5 kW) Blackburn Cirrus Minor engines, the aircraft was put into large scale production straight away and 130 Geminis were sold in the first year. Later variants were fitted with different engines. After the collapse of Miles Aircraft in 1947 eight aircraft had not been completed and they were assembled by Handley Page (Reading) Limited at Woodley (two in 1950); Wolverhampton Aviation at Wolverhampton's Pendeford Aerodrome (five in 1951); and by F. G. Miles Limited at Redhill Aerodrome (one). For details of the operational history and ten variants, click here.
