Warbird Information Exchange

Would anyone have a you tube clip or video of this Model A powered craft in use?

http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/muled ... q.jpg.html"

The radiator position is unusual, ....

Pietenpol Air camper.
One of the first homebuilts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMqOBkfi5Ek

Here's a ford powered version starting up.

Hope that helps.

Andy Scott

Thanks for the links DH And airknocker, great information. I am very familiar with the Model A engine, I have owned several. I never knew it was used in an airplane. I wonder the view from the pilot's seat, with that radiator position. I may have overlooked , but is there a view from there?

The view straight ahead is, as one would suspect, obstructed.
This, however, was not entirely unusual for early aircraft.
Check out images of the DH-60 Moth. Not much of a forward view there either.
The Pietenpol is an easy airplane to fly. Very predictable with no bad habits.
The restriction of forward visibility is merely an inconvenience which is probably most pronounced on the ground during taxiing!
During take off and landing, the cues you get from your peripheral vision are ample to keep her straight.
Have a look at pictures of The Spirit of St. Louis. Charles Lindbergh flew from N.Y. to Le Bourget France and he could only see out the side windows!

Hope that helps.

Andy

Excellent video on the Model A Pietenpol with a forward view at 10:19.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNdj4W4Vi2I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ8RS3FuVoA

Thanks Airknocker ; .....That's what I'm talking about, ..great videos. I think I may now have a use for an extra Model A engine, I have laying in the back of my shop. I notice that the users , seem to favor the rear seat, I'm thinking that big old radiator may make one feel a bit claustrophobic seated in the front one...

This is why the pilot sits in back:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exLPpG73BWA

airknocker wrote:This is why the pilot sits in back:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exLPpG73BWA

That would be me,...6'2" and getting more stove up by the day....bet that radiator may make it a bit warm for the fellow sitting in the front seat

Does an enclosed cockpit version exist?

The pilot sits in the back for CG reasons, the variable load (passenger or no passenger) is on the CG so doesn't affect it. The radiator is up high like that so that if the water pump fails the system thermo-syphons, in other words the hot water in the engine rises into the radiator, is cooled, and then descends back into the engine. It runs warmer than if the pump is working, but won't overheat. Forward view is no problem, if you lean a few inches to the left or right you can see past the radiator.

There are a couple of Pietenpol Facebook groups, and a Pietenpol Matronics forum with lots of info.



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Thank you for the links Bald Eagle