What can be better for improving your scratching techniques than a Flying Flea?
   Henri Mignet used to play with an apple crate as many kids do.  He first added wheels, then a dashboard, then a rudder, wings and by the time he was a grown-up he finally installed an engine and taught himself to fly.  Or something like that.
   In any case, he helped to promote what is now the home-made aspect of aviation and the ultralight movement.  Many amateurs around the world constructed Pou-du-Ciels –or Flying Fleas-.  His creation flew well, but had a sneaky inherent flaw that led to some precipitated landings.  The flaw was later corrected, but the design got some bad publicity and most Fleas got grounded.  

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  The Pou-du-Ciel had a tandem-wing configuration of simple lines that accepted a wide variety of power plants, most of them from fields other than aviation.  It is difficult to get an idea of its relative size, so in one image you will see a comparison with a medium size model in the same 1/72 scale.
   The graceful lines of the Pou can be reproduced with little effort.  As row materials you may use the tiniest of the scraps in your styrene box, some wire, stretched sprue and a few spares.  What you will need in large amounts is good sight –not my case, I am afraid- and patience –not my case either.  

   I spent more time looking for parts that flew away to the great beyond than in the actual building, but it was fun all right all the way.
   There are a number of Pou-du-Ciels still jumping around or hanging from museum roofs, and most of the liveries are very attractive, so scratch that itch: it won’t take much of your shelf space.

Gabriel

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