Wednesday, April 21, 2021

The Pietenpol air camper is finished

Over the winter I've been very slowly finishing the Pietenpol Air Camper rubber-band powered flying model by Peck-Polymers. It's taken so long because I've hesitated at every step as each one presented me with challenges I had no experience dealing with. I know there are several issues with my build, and no doubt others I'll find later, but I like the look. 

Monday we got our first vaccination shots, and I've been feeling a bit fatigued for the last couple of days, so I decided to hold off on the next steps on the HQ conversion, and instead finished the last odds-and-ends on the air camper. The prop was installed, and the engine and radiator were added. It balances out ok, and is now waiting for some good weather for a few test glides to check trim. It snowed today, and with the enhanced pandemic restrictions in place, who knows when that will be. But, until then check out these interesting videos about the real thing. First, Ami gives a great tour:

And then there's this one from Grant with a little more history:

In the second video there's this interesting drawing of a lakeside hanger complete with some railway track for getting your float plane into the water. That building would make a great little model. Maybe enhance it with double-doors on the back wall so planes could be put in the hanger from a rail line that extends out to a parking lot, airstrip, or factory. 

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