Pietenpol Air Camper (oz8451)

About this Plan

Pietenpol Air Camper. Scale model home-built for radio control. 56in wingspan, for .19 -.25 engines and 3-channel radio. Scale is 1/6. This plan and article appeared in the RCM book: 'The Challenge of Radio Control Scale' see http://rclibrary.co.uk/title_details.asp?ID=1032.

Quote: "What could be more natural a subject for a first attempt at R/C scale than a vintage Air Pamper? Simple to construct with enough detail to challenge the expert ...Early in the 30's, BH Pietenpol designed a ship that could be built by anyone. Power for this plane was a standard, inexpensive, slightly modified Model A Ford engine. This two-place homebuilt cruised anywhere from 60 to 70 miles per hour and developed about 40 horse power on the water-cooled Model A. Rate of climb was about 200 to 500 feet per minute. No great performer, but a stable, relaxing aircraft that could take you up and land with forgiving qualities. Factory production stopped in 1939, but Mr. Pietenpol still has plans available for the early Air Camper and is presently modifying and testing an 'Improved Air Camper' which features an improved landing gear, steerable tail wheel, brakes, radio, and modern power plants.
There is a certain appeal to a scale model with open cockpits, big old wheels, bulky looking engines and old-fashioned lines. I guess you'd call it irresistible.
The model presented here is scaled two inches to the foot. The only deviation from scale is the enlarged stab, hinge lines of the tail surfaces and the small amount of dihedral. It lends itself to a natural scale ship for the beginner and can be successfully flown on single channel. While simple in construction, there is enough detail to challenge the experts. In addition, certain deviations from plans are permissible with home-builts, so if you vary a little bit in scale, who's to say you are wrong? This model is ideal for the light-weight three channel systems such as 'Digitrio' or 'Spar-Trio'. We outfitted the original with Spar-Trio and had room to spare. The big wing could have lifted even more.
A quick look at the plans will tell you at what stage you can ignore the text and start building. I think all of us do this with plans, but since I started out to present a beginner's ship, I'll run through the highlights of the building sequence..."

Many thank to davidterrell80 for the high res scans.

Supplementary file notes

Article pages.

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