The Messenger was designed to meet a British Army requirement for a robust, slow speed, low maintenance, air observation post and liaison aircraft. The aircraft designed was a cantilever low-wing monoplane with fixed tailwheel powered by the de Havilland Gipsy Major 1D in-line engine. The prototype was converted from a Miles M.28 Mercury and first flew at Woodley on 12 September 1942. The aircraft had a good short field performance but only a small order for use as a VIP transport was placed for the British Royal Air Force as the Messenger I.

Wartime users of the aircraft included Field Marshal Sir Bernard Montgomery and Marshal of the RAF Lord Tedder.

After the war the Messenger 2A was built for the civilian market. The production aircraft were built at Newtownards in Northern Ireland and flown to Woodley for final fitting out. After 71 aircraft were built production of the aircraft ceased in 1948.

During the war a prototype aircraft was built as the M.48 Messenger 3 with fully retractable flaps. The model was not further developed as it did not provide any advantage over the other variants.

When the RAF retired surviving aircraft in 1948 they were in good condition and were converted for civilian use as the Messenger 4A.

The aircraft was a popular touring and racing aircraft during the late 1940s and early 1950s. In 1954 Harold Wood won the King's Cup Race air race at 133 mph. 

The full Wikipedia article is available here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miles_Messenger

Some historical information on ZK-CMM thanks to the Museum of Berkshire Aviation - http://home.comcast.net/~aero51/html/index.htm 

Miles Messenger M.38 IIA ZK-CMM was built for the UK civil market as G-AJVL (c/n 6372) at Newtownards, Northern Ireland and flown unpainted to Woodley for final painting, upholstering and sale. She was listed on 02-07-1947 with Tyne Taxis of Woolsington. Bryan Price started work with Tyne Taxis in 1947 and his first job was to go to the Miles factory at Woodley, Reading and pick up a new Messenger - none other than G-AJVL (now ZK-CMM).

Bryan flew G-AJVL from Reading to Newcastle on 14-07-1947 and flew it for Tyne Taxis for the next 12 to 18 months. Bryan later emigrated to New Zealand in the early 1950's, along with Peter Proctor (Tyne Taxis Manager), Brian Chadwick (Tyne Taxis Engineer) and today (April 2004) lives in
Christchurch N.Z.. Cancelled in November 1949, the aircraft was exported to Australia to become VH-BJM on 28-12-1950 for use by Sam Hecker of Maryborough, until the registration was cancelled 20-10- 63 due to D.C.A policy re glue failures. Purchased by Ken Orrman of Shepparton (1978) and later by Bill Thompson (December 1988).

Bill Thompson rebuilt the aircraft, pretty much replacing the entire woodwork over a period of four and a half years and involving some 5,500 hours' work.

It returned to the Australian register on 06-08-1993 as VH-BJH and was sold to G Ireland of Capalaba, Queensland, on 10-10-1996, followed by Mike and Elizabeth Apps of Canberra. On 07-10-1997 it was re-registered as VH-ZMM. During the latter part of WWII Messengers were used by some well known high ranking officers as VIP transports, including Field Marshall Montgomery and Marshall of the RAF, Lord Tedder.

VH-BJH had been painted to represent an example of this type, including camouflage and invasion stripes and the British military serial of RG333 was added to represent the first of three such aircraft used by Montgomery. (The RAF number should have been RH368 as this was the only Messenger with Invasion Stripes from logbook of F/L Trevor Martin, Monty's Pilot.)

The aircraft was purchased in Australia in November 2003 by Dave Cowie, dismantled under the supervision of Stan Smith and transported to NZ in December in a 40-ft container (which is no mean feat considering the one piece wing spans 36 ft).

Reassembled at North Shore Airfield, where it is now based, the Messenger was registered as ZK-CMM on 22nd of January 2004 with its Certificate of Airworthiness being issued on 11th February 2004. First New Zealand flight was on the 13th February by Stan Smith. The aircraft performed extremely well and confirmed its STOL reputation. The only modifications are the fitting of Cleveland disc brakes and some "new" instruments.