Another strange engine

OK, you fellows obviously know your engines. Can someone tell me what I have here? (yep, found it in my stuff). This isn't a test - I don't know either. I've shown it with a Fox .35 for size comparison. As seen, it has two large "M"s on the bypass. It weighs 7.7 ounces. The case is one piece - not detachable fins like the later Merco engines. It appears to be new.
So, engine gurus - what is it?

Couldn't it be a Merco ?

"M M" gives it away.

You are the lucky owner of a rare Red Head Mystery Motor, a product of the Mystery Motor company, a short lived outfit that made a series of stunt engines sometime between the early '50's and late 70's. The Red Head series was the second generation design with the semi-parabolic combustion chamber and head.

The performance of these engines is legendary, however they are very rarely seen. I've never seen a photo of one in the metal and until your post. I had thought they were merely a myth.

The rumor is that the company went out of business because they would not advertise. Apparently the engineering department was afraid the secrets embodied in the design would be compromised if they got too much exposure. So these were sold through a network of secret representatives who would exchange them for cash at the flying field, relying on word of mouth and direct demonstration to develop the market.

The Mystery Motors where highly prized stunt engines, but were only ever installed--as far as my research ever uncovered--inside fully cowled stunters. You never saw one on a profile. I remember more than once seeing an outstanding flight with a full bodied stunter and asking the pro who was responsible what he had for a powerplant and being told it was a Mystery.

Wow.

A genuine Mystery Motor.

Bet that would bring a bundle on eBay....

Hi, Cy - really??? I've never heard of anything like that - where were they made? What displacement? Who, of note, ever used one?
You know what I'm going to do - break it in and stick it on the appropriate size stunt bird.
Trust me - that motor will not be buried in a collection - it will fly!
Bob Z

>Hi, Cy - really???

Yeah, really.

As far as I can tell. The whole matter was very vague.

>I've never heard of anything like that -

The Mystery Motor was one of the best kept secrets of the Classic Era. Only a few top stunt pilots ever professed to have one and only then when asked explicitly "What are you running?"

>where were they made?

The Mystery Motors were manufactured in Monrovia.

>What displacement?

It was never totally clear, although the conclusion I've arrived at after cross referencing my research is that the original Mystery Motor was a .37.

I believe the later Red Head variants were a .38.

I know one stunt pilot from a western state designed a twin and much was made of her pair of .38's.

>Who, of note, ever used one?

The Mystery Motor probably had it's most significant fame as the powerplant for Bigfoot a foul smelling beast that gave out a weird wail when the motor was in full song. Bigfoot was rumored to be based way up in Northern California, although some said it came from Oregon.

>You know what I'm going to do - break it in and stick it on
>the appropriate size stunt bird.
>Trust me - that motor will not be buried in a collection -
>it will fly!

As should all good mysteries....

Alas, an avidly ardent author alluding to and annunciating alliteration with astoundingly awful and arduous alacrity. Anyhow, is anyone anywhere ambitiously accruing acres of annoying and amusing anecdotes?

Oh, well, I'll just dissolve it in some Cabernet and use it for outboard weight!

Bob Z

And I thought I had you going...

The meagerly mentioned Mystery Motor was mostly made from a metal only described as model motor metal. It was used in a miserly manner to minimize both money outlay and mass. Many Mystery Motors made appearances at model meets but were not recognized being made up as mock Mercos. Mystery Motors in drag! They also suffered malicious maligning due to the mostly monotonous moaning they made during maneuvers, it was pure mind mangling monotone. Moreover, model engine designers were never able to manipulate Mystery Motors to make more power which more or less didn't matter since Mystery Motors already made maximum muscle at minimum fuel consumption.

As for Mystery Motors lack of sales as noted in another reply. the companie's slogan "Mums the word at Mystery Motors" did not make for massive magnetic draw to their products. So, history swallowed another of the "could have beens" and made it into a mere memory.

Holy poop! You guys are full of #####!

...Moreover, model engine designers...

Shouldn't that be MOTOR designers?

Great stuff!

You're so right George, "motor designer" is correct, and his name was Marvin Melmac originally from Muzula Montana.

If that is not the best reply to an engine inquiry then, I don't know what is! I am totally impressed!!

Without looking in my literature on collectable engines, I think the engine in question is a French Micron. Regards, Bud Brautlecht

Moteurs Micron.

A sort of Oops! Disregard my reply message no.7. After consulting "Les Moteurs Modeles Reduits Francais" :-
MM stands for "Micron Meteore". So they were Moteurs Micron Meteore. The engine illustrated is 1961/2. It is a 5cc, red head, Micron M29. Blue head is 6cc, Micron M35. Green or blackhead is 7.2cc, Micron M45.

It looks like a "rolls kanardley"

Rolls down hill, Kanardly make it up the next.

Sufferin' succotash! Is that what that Mystery Ship had in it?

Well, ells bells mates. I was going to say it was the famous Marcucci Motors Copper Head. Only one ever made and sold for 999.97 plus tax.

Can you believe these guys really think this is a Micron Meteore? Preposterous!! Do you really expect me to buy that Ian?!?! Any motor man worth his salt must recognize Mr. Melmac's marvel!