Ways to protect my Homunculus Servant

Once I finally hit level 6 I'm thinking of arming my homunculus servant with a Wand of Magic Missiles, flying around the battlefield as an aerial attack drone. Assuming my DM even allows this, what are some good ways you've found of protecting my Homunculus from being downed early in a fight?

The fact that it's flying will keep it out of range of martial attacks, but that benefit fades if we're in a dungeon with low ceilings. 

I can't cast Mage Armor on it since it's a construct and not a creature, and that would only push its AC to 15 anyway.

I could pair it with my cannon, and perhaps enemies would target the small-sized cannon belching fire, instead of the tiny Homuculus attached to it.

If the cannon is Tiny, the Homunculus would technically have enough strength fly around with it (But again my DM may not allow this)

I could pair it with one of the medium sized PCs in the party, granting it a bit of protection.

What other options have you got?

Constructs are creatures. You can absolutely cast Mage Armor on a Homunculus Servant.

The more you can do with tactical positioning, the better. Your homunculus can fly and the Wand of Magic Missile has a range of 120 feet, so if it's not the most adjacent target on the battlefield it's less likely to be targeted. 

Of course sometimes its value is absolutely in being a probe to look at the dangerous thing, or to give Advantage to someone in melee. (At that point Dodge can be a good choice.)

It's annoying to lose your little friend but honestly if it soaks up an attack or two on the way that's also super valuable.

FWIW usually I lose mine to fierce AOEs which is far more annoying.

Quote from wagnarokkr >>

Constructs are creatures. You can absolutely cast Mage Armor on a Homunculus Servant.

 Ooooh really? Fantastic!

Quote from FoolishMortal18588 >>

The more you can do with tactical positioning, the better. Your homunculus can fly and the Wand of Magic Missile has a range of 120 feet, so if it's not the most adjacent target on the battlefield it's less likely to be targeted. 

Of course sometimes its value is absolutely in being a probe to look at the dangerous thing, or to give Advantage to someone in melee. (At that point Dodge can be a good choice.)

It's annoying to lose your little friend but honestly if it soaks up an attack or two on the way that's also super valuable.

FWIW usually I lose mine to fierce AOEs which is far more annoying.

 I typically use my familiar to give advantage in battles right now, but of course it cannot use a wand. And yeah, every attack on the familiar/homunculus is one that doesn’t hit me or my friends. 

If you are having your familiar use the Help action, you can cast Invisibility on it and they can remain Invisible while darting in to Help then darting away without taking an Opportunity Attack. Or better yet, craft and give your familiar an Enspelled Staff so it can cast the spell itself.

Quote from wagnarokkr >>

Constructs are creatures. You can absolutely cast Mage Armor on a Homunculus Servant.

 Of course you have to get access to the spell, possibly via Magic Initiate, since it's not on the Artificer spell list. Or from another party member, if your Wizard or Sorcerer has a spell slot to spare.