Fiddlers Green Pietenpol Air Camper

This is one model that everyone should try. It's simple, colorful, and has incredible character. The model shown was built in two sessions totaling three hours! All the parts (except for the water hose) are standard kit parts. The struts, open cockpit, exposed engine, and parasol wing make the model look much more complex and detailed than it really is. The Pietenpol is easy enough to be a good first or second project, yet detailing possibilities would also satisfy more advanced modelers.

The first session was spent cutting out all the pieces and assembling the struts. I frequently add an extra thickness of card for strength as the struts are folded over and glued together. In this case however I simply folded and glued. The next day I began by assembling the fuselage. This did not present any major problems but take your time and get the shape close before gluing. It's easy to end up with the tail out of vertical if you're not careful. It's easiest to install the seats and Instrument panels before adding the nose.

The wing is scored along the LE, curved along the top surface, and folded over to create an airfoil shape. Apply a small bead of glue to the trailing edge and bring the two edges together. You may need to hold the trailing edge flat until dry or it may get a little wavy.

Install the wing by first gluing the cabine struts to the fuselage. If you use a thick "Tacky" type glue the struts will hold without support. Let them dry thoroughly then, with the wing upside down on the table, glue the cabines one at a time to the marked locations. You may need to let each one dry so you can gently nudge them into position. With all four in place, check and correct the alignment, then add the four long lift struts.

The remaining assembly was very strait forward. For the hose that connects the radiator to the engine, I used a small gauge black insulated wire. Drill small holes with #11 xacto blade where the hose will go then secure it in the holes with a little white glue.

As you can see from the photo above, this was not my first Pietenpol. This aircraft has been a very popular free flight model subject ever since it first appeared. The model shown is a rubber powered "Peanut" scale built from plans that are available from the Peck Polymers company. The Air Camper was a fun, low stress project that I highly recommend.