Mignet HM.160 Bebe Pou (Baby Flea)

Weight- and space-saving was the goal of Henri Mignet when designing the HM.16, itself a derivative of the earlier HM.14. At only 10 feet, 10 inches long, its short fuselage and its nose-high position give the impression that its wings are positioned at too great an angle of incidence (the angle of the wing relative to the ground). However, upon giving it full throttle, the tail would rise immediately, causing the wings to level out and the HM.16 could be airborne in about 150 feet. Even though Mignet did fly the HM.16, he himself did not feel it was very safe. He never sold the plans and therefore never authorized anyone else to fly this model.
Years later, a man by the name of George Jacquemin of Ontario, Canada, attempted to rework and translate the HM.16’s plans to English. The newly designated HM.160 never left the drawing phase. This remained true until 2001, when Julius Junge of Texas built the model seen here using Jacquemin’s plans. Completion of the project took about 5 months. As with the original, this model is not intended for flight. The label in the cockpit reads “Maximum Pilot weight: 100lbs”.

Specifications:
Manufacturer: Homebuilt by Julius Junge
Country of Origin: United States (Texas)
Designer: Henri Mignet
Engine: Chotia 460, single cylinder, two-stroke, 456cc, 18.5hp
Empty Weight: Design – 220 lbs.
Gross Takeoff Weight: unknown
Cruise Speed: 60 MPH (estimated)
Wingspan: 13 ft.
Years of Production: 2001
Number Produced: 1 (few replicas were made, but none have flown)

Acquired from HMS Flea Collection