The Miles M.25 Martinet was a target tug aircraft of the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Fleet Air Arm (FAA) that was in service during the Second World War. It was the first British aircraft to be designed specifically for target towing.
Miles Martinet
The Miles Martinet prototype, serial LR241, at Reading, Berkshire, circa 1942
Martinet in RAF service
A Martinet of No. 289 Squadron at RAF Turnhouse, Midlothian, Scotland, circa 1943
A target tug is an aircraft which tows an unmanned drone, a fabric drogue or other kind of target, for the purposes of gun or missile target practice. Target tugs are often conversions of transport and utility aircraft, as well as obsolescent combat types. Some, such as the Miles Martinet, were specially designed for the role. It was, and is, a relatively hazardous job, as live fire is typically employed and the people doing the shooting are usually still in training.
Target tugs, such as this Phantom are often painted in high visibility colors to differentiate themselves from the targets they tow.
Boulton Paul Defiant TT Mk III target tug, number N1697; RAF Desford, May 1944. Note the wind-driven generator that provided power for the target winch
Fairey Firefly TT.1 target tug, painted mustard yellow, of the Swedish Flight Service at Manchester (Ringway Airport) in 1955
An FR Aviation Services Dassault Falcon 20 modified for target towing at the 2006 Royal International Air Tattoo
