Claim: Designed by F.G. Miles, the Miles Merlin was mainly constructed of spruce and birch woods.
Evidence: The Merlin was designed by F.G. Miles of Philips and Powis, as a result of collaboration with G. Birkett of Birkett Air Service Ltd, and Tata Sons Ltd of India. Construction was mainly of wood, with spruce frames and three-ply birch covering, and the wings had hydraulically operated split flaps.