Top Notch Products Mooney MiteM-18
A post-war civilian classic laser-cut kit that is easy to build, fun to fly!
By Joe Redan PHOTOGRAPHY: JOE REDAN I 46
f you love to build, every so often you find a kit that you know you want. The Mooney Mite M-18 was the one I want- ed. John Valentine designed it and pro- duces it through his company, Top Notch Products.
The Mooney is a totally American kit, at quarter scale, with a wing span of 81 inches and a finished weight of approximately ten pounds. It is not intended for a beginner builder but the plane and assembly manual are so thorough and detailed that, with a lit- tle help, I am sure a beginner could do a credible job.
The Mooney Company was started by Al Mooney in 1929 and, through turbulent times and the great Depression, the compa- ny was reformed several times with various owners. The Mooney Mite, which was certi- fied in 1948, was aimed at returning Second World War pilots who still wanted to fly and needed an affordable plane. The Mite has gone through a continuous upgrade in both engines and airframe while maintaining its signature look of having both tail and wings swept forward. Actually, neither the tail or wings have a forward sweep to them. The tail and wings
are straight at the leading edge. The wing and the tail leading edges are a straight alu- minum pipe which is put into a jig and the ribs are fitted just as we do in building our models. The Mooney product line is noted for its sleek lines and retractable landing gear. The landing gear of early Mooneys was raised and lowered by hand and later by an electric actuator. I know this as I was the designer of the electric actuator of which over 5,000 where built. The durability of the Mooney Mite M-18 stayed in production till 1956 with the FAA still listing 170 aircraft as currently licensed.
MAY 2013
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