1:72 Mignet Flying Flea (G-AEEH)

The real subject

The Flying Flea, as Henri Mignet's little aircraft came to be nicknamed, was a small revolution in the 1930s. Mignet designed the machine so that someone with wood, fabric and ordinary tools could build it in a garage, and he published a book with the procedure to go with it. The design is odd at first glance: two lifting surfaces one behind the other instead of the usual wing with tail surfaces, the front surface pivoting and the controls with no ailerons, working only through the pivot of the front surface and the rudder. The type spread quickly across Europe and became a craze. After a series of accidents in the middle of the 1930s the flying qualities were worked out in a wind tunnel and the design was revised. The designation G-AEEH belongs to one particular machine on the British civil register.

What the model offers

The set brings a model of this little aircraft in 1:72 scale. The subject is tiny, so the finished model is small too and fits into a display case among larger machines as a witty contrast. The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted.

• The Mignet Flying Flea in 1:72 scale
• The arrangement with two lifting surfaces one behind the other
• The form of the machine with the British registration G-AEEH
• Supplied unassembled and unpainted

Building and painting tips

On a model this small, cleanness of work matters more than the number of parts. Seat the struts between the surfaces according to the instructions and let them cure before you load the assembly with another part. The fabric covering can be suggested with a thin coat and a fine wash along the ribs; a heavy layer of paint would drown the tiny shape. Wash and degrease the parts before painting.

Who it is for

For collectors of aviation curiosities and for modelers who enjoy interwar amateur designs. Paints, glue and other building material are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.