Museum of Science and Industry

The museum's 'Flying Flea' travelled back to Southport Sands, where test flights for these 1930s-style aircraft were once carried out. The home-built aeroplane, which is the size of a motorbike with wings, was part of this year's Show.

The Flea was designed by Frenchman Henri Mignet in 1934, to be built at home by anyone who had an interest in DIY and motorcycle mechanics, and soon became a popular hobby. Instructions on how to build the aircraft were available in a series of articles published in Popular Mechanics in 1935. Soon garages and garden sheds around the country were filled with aircraft under construction.

Unfortunately, the Flying Flea quickly became notorious as its design was faulty, which led to many fatal crashes and a loss of public confidence in the aeroplane. Although the fault was rectified many Fleas were never finished.

Records show that MOSI's Flying Flea did take to the skies, and is now fitted with the engine from a Flea which took off from Southport Sands in 1936.

Nick Forder, Air and Space curator, said, "By designing an aeroplane from materials costing £25.00, which could be fitted with a variety of converted car or motorcycle engines, Mignet came so close to realising his dream of making owning an aeroplane as common as owning a car."

In 1935 Henri Mignet, designer of the Flea, said "One may have a feeling for a motorcycle: a car is no longer a thing for which one has affection. An aeroplane, self-built! - that is something which one loves! You do not love a thing you buy!"

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