what is the biggest engine installed on a Mite?

[nels]

6 hours ago, Andy95W said:

To answer @nels original question, the largest engine ever put into a Mite was the Continental C-90 in the short lived M-19 that was developed for the US Army.  I got all this information from The Al Mooney Story written by Gordon Baxter (as told to him by Al himself).

In 1951, the US Army realized it needed a small tactical support aircraft, and the M-18 was thought to be a good starting point.  It was redesigned for two .30 caliber machine guns and two rocket mounts or small napalm bombs.  It was equipped with a 90 HP Continental with adjustable propeller.  Al designated it the M-19, which makes it the last plane he designed before he made the M-20.

The Army loved the plane when they tested it, and it was an effective ground attack aircraft.  At the time, however, the Air Force was just beginning, and there were "turf wars" about who could fly what types of aircraft.  The powers-that-be decided a light attack winged aircraft was the purview of the Air Force, while the Army was allowed helicopters.  Because of this, the M-19 was scratched.

The one-of-a-kind M-19 became Al Mooney's personal aircraft.  Baxter said, "it was his favorite of all the airplanes he ever designed and built."

When he sold the company and went to work for Lockheed, the M-19 was one of the assets transferred to the new owners.  One of the new owners (Hal Rachal) attempted a takeoff from Love Field with a concrete tie-down block still attached which wrecked the plane.  The wings were cut off and the remaining pieces traded hands a few times.  It doesn't mention if anyone restored it, but I think it unlikely since it was only ever certified in the Experimental category.

Interesting bit of information on the M19. Too bad it doesn't still exist.  Any info on its top speed?

I haven't been able to find any stall numbers for these planes. I see the glide ratio is 15:1... not bad at all.

[kerry]

I thought this was a fun read about some Alaska High School kids taking on a Mite project. https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2017/april/04/mooney-mite-travels-by-school-bus-for-restoration

 

[Stephen]

Well, you could just slap this on a Mite and then be the answer to your own question:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/350-horsepower-Aircraft-Chevy-LS1-Engine/112770773253?hash=item1a41a97105:g:A-IAAOSwoRBaZqaA&vxp=mtr