Mignet HM.290E

Henri Mignet had been approached by the French Resistance in 1944 with a set of criteria for a small military plane. He was only able to complete a prototype, designated the HM.280 “Pou Maquis”. Plans for the HM.280 were never released. After the war, Mignet did publish the plans for a civilian version of the 280, the HM.290. The HM.280-290 series also marked the beginning of the distinctive folding-wing design. This added weight, yet it satisfied Mignet’s intent for homebuilt planes to be stored in garages and to be able to be towed to an airfield.
The model here was built by Julius Junge of Texas. Note the one-piece wing. As a weight saving measure, the builder deleted the hinges, as he was attempting to meet the FAA’s maximum weight limit of 254 pounds. It also has a compartment behind the cockpit for an empty gas can. This was intended that you could walk to a nearby gas station and fill up when needed, for serious cross-country flights.

Specifications:
Manufacturer: Homebuilt by Julius Junge
Country of Origin: United States (Texas)
Designer: Henri Mignet
Engine: Rotax 337, two-cylinder, two-stroke, 30hp
Empty Weight: Design – 254 lbs.
Gross Takeoff Weight: 476 lbs.
Cruise Speed: 60 MPH (estimated)
Wingspan: 20 ft.
Years of Production: unknown
Number Produced: Many copies of HM.290s