Rara-Avis Sim has released the Mignet HM.14, also known as the “Flying Flea” for Microsoft Flight Simulator. This unique aircraft offers a glimpse into the early era of flight with its tandem-wing design and unconventional flight control system.
The HM.14’s airframe construction uses birch plywood sheet, spruce laths, steel tubing, steel cables, proprietary metal fittings and fixings, adhesives, and linen fabric. The prototype HM.14 had a wingspan of 5.5 meters (18 feet) and was powered by an Aubier et Dunne 540 cc three-cylinder two-stroke motorcycle engine, producing about 17 hp (13 kW) at 4,000 rpm. Subsequent examples were built with many optional engine and wingspan variations.
Unlike conventional aircraft, the Flying Flea has no ailerons or elevators, and no foot-operated flight controls. The flight control system comprises a conventional control stick. Fore-and-aft movement of the stick is transmitted via cables to the rear underside of the main wing, which is supported by a single pivot at the front underside, mounted on a pylon on the fuselage. Rearward movement of the stick pulls the cables, increasing the pitch and lift of the main wing, which then pitches up due to the center of pressure being forward of the center of gravity. Side-to-side movement of the stick controls the all-moving rudder via cables. In flight, this produces a stable rolling motion as required in a banked turn, as the wings both have dihedral. However, this rolling characteristic is not safely available during takeoff or landing, so crosswinds are not easily tolerated.
The Flying Flea comes with several features, including 4K PBR textures, 3D propeller blur, hidden GPS/radio, 3D gauges, 3D wing ribs, custom camera positions, windscreen rain and icing effects, custom animations, 18 different liveries, 10 different 3D models built from scratch, custom plexiglass texture, custom decals, tyre smoke and dust effects, animated landing gear suspension, full VR support, custom checklists, and four different engine models: Scott Squirrel, Carden Ford, ROTAX, and Salmson.
Features
- 4K PBR textures
- 3D propeller blur
- Hidden GPS/radio
- Uses stock MSFS pilots
- 3D gauges
- 3D wing ribs
- Custom camera positions.
- Windscreen rain and icing effects
- Custom animations
- 18 different liveries
- 10 different 3D models built from scratch
- Custom plexiglass texture
- Custom decals
- Tyre smoke and dust effects
- Custom door animation (only on Salmson & Abbott Baynes models)
- Animated landing gear suspension
- Uses default MSFS 2020 glass gauges
- Full VR support
- Custom checklists
- ROTAX-engined version with modern avionics
- Change wing style ‘on the fly’
- Four different engine models: Scott Squirrel, Carden Ford, ROTAX and Salmson
The Flying Flea is available for purchase through iniBuilds for £15.99 GBP or Just Flight for $23.99. Note: The following MSFS aircraft must be installed to hear the sounds:
- Cessna C152
- Curtiss Jenny
- Flight Design CT
- Spirit of St Louis
Overall, the Flying Flea offers a unique and challenging flying experience for enthusiasts of early aviation era.
