1/200 Shed Models Mignet Flying Flea (Pou du Ciel)

Gallery Article by Amanda Jones on May 26 2011

 

This model is one of my most recent model show purchases, I was attracted to the stand full of tiny 1/200 scale models at Cosford model show and this being the smallest, at just less than 2.5cm long at its widest point (and only £3!) I decided I had to give it a go (plus there was also the advantage that one of these strange contraptions actually resides at RAF Cosford museum, where the show was being held and was not more than a few paces away so I could take a couple of photos at the same time!).

The kit is by a very small company called Shed Models which make a selection of prototype, experimental and obscure models in 1/200 scale. The flea fits the bill nicely, being a design by a furniture designer called Henry Mignet, many people built them in their sheds and garages and some actually attempted to fly them, unfortunately not always sucessfully!

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

The kit comes in a small cardboard box with an information sheet, decals for 2 different serial numbers, the kit parts and a very short description of how to put it together. The kit is made of white metal and comes in 3 parts, the upper wing, propeller and fuselage. The parts are well moulded, only a small amount of trimming is required to remove the mold lines and flash. The decals are very well printed and go on nicely with no silvering. They don't give a specific paint scheme so I decided to paint mine like the one in RAF Cosford museum. I used Tamiya Royal Blue, and White for the fuselage and Chrome Silver for the wings. I decided to paint the engine area with Humbrol 53. I added a small amount of rigging as an extra. 

Overall this was an enjoyable build, certainly worth the pennies!

Amanda Jones

Photos and text © by Amanda Jones