In 1944, George Miles of Miles Aircraft Ltd. came up with the idea of an innovative multi-purpose freighter, the Aerovan. The prototype flew successful in January of 1945, but a pact between the U.K and U.S. would bring a halt production. Undeterred by this setback, the Miles brothers would press on after the war,, but they would have to overcome economic hurdles to keep the Aerovan alive.