This Model A engine will really fly........

[Aerocraft]

After a complete engine overhaul with insert bearings, Falluca insert rods, Egge pistons, and GM rings, the engine runs well and this Pietenpol Aircamper only needs the wings installed to fly again.

This one will cruise easily at 70! More later....

Gar Williams

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nK_U3a4q2RE&feature=youtu.be

 

[1931 flamingo]

Now that is nice ! !
Paul in CT

 

[Great Lakes Greg]

I see there is no generator. Do you have a charging system hidden, a magneto, or just run off the battery and charge before a flight?

 

[Richard Wilson]

Looks and sounds good Gar! Please post some more pictures when you get the wings on. Not sure where you mount the Ahooga horn on an Aircamper?

 

[Aerocraft]

The installation does not have a generator.

There is currently an aircraft "Slick 4301" magneto driven by the crankshaft. The original Benard Pietenpol design and blueprints detail the 'single ignition' installation.

I have a dual plug 6.8 : 1 aluminum cylinder head that I will install later and replace the single mag with a Bendix D-3000 dual mag for additional power and safety.

Gar Williams

 

[Peter J]

Wow, carb heat too! I wonder why thay didn't try an inverter setup? Thanks for the pics.

 

[Aerocraft]

The carb heat is constant and weak at best. Here are pictures of the single ignition mag and the coupling to the crankshaft. Note that the mag can be rotated on its mount for precise timing. It is set to fire at 28 degrees BTC. The mag has an impulse coupling which retards the timing for 25 degrees. The coupling "locks out" at somewhere under 500 RPM.

Gar Williams

 

[Aerocraft]

Richard: Here are pictures of the airplane as it appeared before covering and then as I bought it with a very sick engine.

Gar Williams

 

[29ModelA]

Very cool, odd radiator placement to me though.

 

[Patrick L.]

Nice looking airplane.. A friend spent a few years building one and we stuck an A65 in it.. No offense, I'll fly almost anything, but......

 

[Aerocraft]

Don, I would enjoy that but, since my wife can't drive, I have no way to get both the airplane and our antigue Bowlus camping trailer to OSH. A number of local midwest Pietenpol owners have been talking about flying their Model A powered airplanes to the meet but nobody has committed as far as I know.

To do that, it would be best if the airplanes could use Pioneer Airport. It probably will be closed for the week.

Gar Williams

 

[Mikeinnj]

Must be tough trying to see where you are going with that big radiator blocking your forward vision ?

 

[azmodela]

Must be tough trying to see where you are going with that big radiator blocking your forward vision ?

Your vision in a small airplane like this isn't so much about forward vision as the view from all around is most important. You have to look around to make to avoid collisions with other aircraft. The forward view blocked by the radiator is probably the least critical view.

 

[Patrick L.]

'Forward view is the least critical' Huumm, I'll have to think about that.. Ok, I've thought about it..[smiley face goes here].. I have 16000 hrs and have given appr 7000 of instruction and I like forward vision, but, that must be a little quirk I have.. I'd have to take a look to see just how much the vision is restricted..

 

[jrelliott]

Congratulations Gar. Looks great. Will try to see it this summer when we visit son and family in Naperville.

 

[Richard Wilson]

Thanks for the extra pictures Gar.

 

[WTSHNN]

Good job Gar!

-Tim

 

[hardtimes]

Gar,
Wow, beautiful project! Amazing that that A/B engine does the job..to me!
I just sold a mag to a guy in Tenn. building same antique type plane last week!
I told him that I was NOT guaranteeing anything...for the flying application! He sent me a video that was fun/fascinating to watch...of him flying that plane.

 

[40 Deluxe]

Reading about the modifications to the engine reminds me of a National Geographic article of some years ago about a replica WW1 British bomber built to retrace a flight from England to Australia originally completed about 1919 or 1920. The replica was powered with two highly modified 454 Chevy V8's built by some race engine shop, as original engines were either unavailable or considered unreiliable (don't remember which). Anywas, halfway through the modern filight, one of the Chevies blew up and the plane crashlanded. The original plane made it to Australia without engine failure!
Spometimes the old way is the best way!

 

[Aerocraft]

The covering is a 1.7 ounce per square yard unshrunk dacron fabric finished with butyrate dope. It is available from a variety of supply houses such as Aircraft Spruce. Since the aircraft is licensed in the "experimental" category, the material does not have to be certified "aircraft quality" and is lighter than what is available to cover heavier and faster, certified "standard" category airplanes

Forward vision is not as restricted as one would imagine. The pilot does have to be mindful of the radiator, which he can see through, and be truly "swivel headed".

Gar Williams