The Parmentier Wee Mite (sometimes Noel Wee Mite) was a British two-seat, parasol monoplane designed by Cecil Noel and first flown in Guernsey in 1933.[1]

Wee Mite
Role Homebuilt Monoplane
National origin Guernsey
Manufacturer Noel & Parmentier
Designer Cecil W Noel
First flight 3 April 1933
Retired 1936
Produced 1

Design and development

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The Wee Mite was a parasol monoplane with a welded steel frame with wooden wings and a fixed landing gear with a tailwheel.[1] Designed by Cecil Noel and built by him and Harold James Le Parmentier it was initial powered by a 30 hp (22 kW) ABC Scorpion and first flown at Vazon Bay, Guernsey on 10 April 1933.[1] The test flights or hops were not promising and after a forced landing and a damaged fuselage, the aircraft was rebuilt with a 40 hp (30 kW) British Salmson AD.9 engine and a lengthened fuselage by 18 in (46 cm). It was successfully flown around Guernsey in a 50 minute flight on 15 September 1933.[2]

It was registered as G-ACRL to Parmentier on 21 April 1934.[3] It was dismantled and stored in 1936.[1]

Specification (Salmson engine)

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Data from Jackson[2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Length: 20 ft 0 in (6.10 m)
  • Wingspan: 31 ft 0 in (9.45 m)
  • Empty weight: 650 lb (295 kg)
  • Gross weight: 970 lb (440 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × British Salmson AD.9 radial engine, 40 hp (30 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 92 mph (148 km/h, 80 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 75 mph (121 km/h, 65 kn)

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Ellis, Ken (1979). British Homebuilt Aircraft since 1920. Liverpool, England: Merseyside Aviation Society. p. 102. ISBN 0 902420 321.
  2. ^ a b Jackson, A.J. (1960). British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 3. London: Putnam & Company. pp. 277, 281. ISBN 0 370 10014 X. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  3. ^ "Register Entry for G-ACRL" (PDF). Civil Aviation Authority. Retrieved 8 May 2023.