How many Mites?

[Kevin Harberg]

Missing Serial Numbers? As a result of reading Dave Rutherford's (Founder of "The Mite Site") collection of "Mooney M-18" Registered and Historical Registration information, I had discovered issuance of serial Number 001 as well as the highest serial number issued, #357. One would assume 357 Mites were built during the initial run of M-18 models right up until M-18 C55 (1955) model.

Ser No.001 - 082 Model M-L        (Lycoming 0145 780lbs Gross Wt)        82

Ser. No. 101 - 145 Model M-18LA  (Lycoming 0145 850lbs Gross Wt)        45

Ser No. 201 - 357 Model M-18C    (Contiental A65 850lbs Gross Wt)       157

This demonstrates that at the end of the production run of one model, the Serial Numbers jumped to start at the next "100" to differentiate between models. The exception seems to be the introduction of the M-18C55 model that appears to continue on with the M-18C numbering.

The 18 "Missing Serial Numbers between Serial Number 083 to 100 plus

the 55 "Missing Serial Numbers between Serial Number 146 to 200

account for 73 missing serial numbers of aircraft never built.

So there were 284 Mites built? No! Actually there were potentially 283 Mites built. (serial No. 1 was rebuilt by Mooney and re-issued as Serial Number 201 (This is the one "Hanging" in the Smithsonian). Serial Numbers now officially start at 002). But wait . . . an article in the Mite Site still shows 47 missing FAA registrations and has identified those serial numbers unaccounted for. 236 Mites?    

Edited October 9, 2021 by Kevin Harberg
Spelling