PORTRAIT OF A PIONEER : A remarkable photograph of M. Henri Mignet flying his "Pou-du-Ciel."
The Patron Saint of Homebuilders - certainly in Europe - Henri Mignet beams his infectious smile down at the photographer at Shoreham on August 17th 1935 at the start of his UK tour. He had flown this HM.14 Pou du Ciel across the Channel four days earlier.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Mignet Pou-de-Ciel / HM-14 - ФранцияFrance - 1932

Abbott-Baynes c/n CP.3 G-AEJC carrying the Ramsgate race number '7' applied over the usual lettering on the rudder, 8.36.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Mignet Pou-de-Ciel / HM-14 - ФранцияFrance - 1932

Stephen Appleby flying the Abbott-Baynes G-AEJD during airflow trials - note the behaviour of the wool tufts on the forward port wing.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Mignet Pou-de-Ciel / HM-14 - ФранцияFrance - 1932

Stephen Villiers Appleby alongside his creation, the Carden Ford-powered G-ADMH at Heston 7.35.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Mignet Pou-de-Ciel / HM-14 - ФранцияFrance - 1932

C E Baker's Pou G-AEJU on display at what appears to be a seaside location (any offers?) in 1936.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Mignet Pou-de-Ciel / HM-14 - ФранцияFrance - 1932

Stan Brett's Flea BAPC.115 on display at the Rebel Air Museum, Earl's Colne. Note the original rear wing behind. Alas, the RAM has been forced to close.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Mignet Pou-de-Ciel / HM-14 - ФранцияFrance - 1932

Messrs Birchall and Broughton pose with their unregistered Flea in St Helens, early 1936.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Mignet Pou-de-Ciel / HM-14 - ФранцияFrance - 1932

The Scott 'Flying Squirrel' engine on L V G Barrow's G-AEFE receives some attention, circa April 1936.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Mignet Pou-de-Ciel / HM-14 - ФранцияFrance - 1932

G-AEOJ following rebuild to the acceptable pivoting rear wing standard. As such it flew after the so-called 'ban', with its A to F expiring in 8.39. The modified undercarriage increased ground clearance but decreased forward visibility during taxying.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Mignet Pou-de-Ciel / HM-14 - ФранцияFrance - 1932

The same aircraft, G-ADMH much modified as the prototype Abbott-Baynes Cantilever Pou, carrying the Ramsgate Race number 'V on the rudder, 8.36.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Mignet Pou-de-Ciel / HM-14 - ФранцияFrance - 1932

A head-on view of Abbott-Baynes Cantilever Pou G-AEGD showing the engine installation and struts.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Mignet Pou-de-Ciel / HM-14 - ФранцияFrance - 1932

Abbott-Baynes Cantilever Pou G-AEGD. The neat installation of the Carden Ford, radiator and all, plus the robust struts and push rod controls are apparent in this view.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Mignet Pou-de-Ciel / HM-14 - ФранцияFrance - 1932

The heavily modified Aero 8 Pou G-AEFW at the Ashington rally on 13.4.36.
A later picture of the Aero-Eight Club's Flea, showing it marked correctly as G-AEFW.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Mignet Pou-de-Ciel / HM-14 - ФранцияFrance - 1932

Cantilever Pou G-ADMH piloted by Appleby on the cross-Channel flight of 5.12.35.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Mignet Pou-de-Ciel / HM-14 - ФранцияFrance - 1932

A press shot of Birkenhead Flying Club members at work on the rear wing of G-AEIZ. The uncovered rudder may be seen in the background.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Mignet Pou-de-Ciel / HM-14 - ФранцияFrance - 1932

Dr Armour left a detailed photographic archive of the construction and operation of G-AEOJ. Rear wing details are shown here.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Mignet Pou-de-Ciel / HM-14 - ФранцияFrance - 1932

Dr Armour's G-AEOJ in its initial configuration, note the pushrod control for the main wing.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Mignet Pou-de-Ciel / HM-14 - ФранцияFrance - 1932

The instrument panel of G-AEOJ during the rebuild of 2.37. Left to right are: rev counter, air speed indicator, altimeter, below the ASI is a compass and below that a cross-level. The small fuel tank suspended from the main wing struts was for ground running trials.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Mignet Pou-de-Ciel / HM-14 - ФранцияFrance - 1932