Country of origin:

United States of America

Description:

Two seat in tandem parasol wing light sport aircraft

Power Plant:

One 30 kw (40 hp) at 2,200 rpm converted Ford Model A four-cylinder in-line liquid-cooled engine

Specifications:

History:

In 1923 Mr Bernard Pietenpol built a Ford Model T powered biplane and in 1928 he built and flew the prototype of the Air Camper. In 1932 he released plans for the Air Camper powered by a Ford Model A engine driving a Lawrence 28 war surplus fixed-pitch wooden two-blade propeller. Plans were published in the popular American magazine, Modern Mechanics.  Plans for the Aircamper were released to the public in 1933 and about 20 were built in the United States up to 1966.  In about 1960 the design was modified to take the General Motors-built Chevrolet Corvair engine, and it was converted for aviation use.  In this form the design became popular.  In 1975 the design won the EAA trophy as the best auto-engine powered aircraft.  By 1979 some 179 examples of this model appeared on the US civil aircraft register.

The design has been built from plans, and has also been available in kit form.  It was very popular with amateur constructors before World War II as being easy to construct and cheap. The aircraft could be powered by a variety of engines and, as noted, a few aircraft were fitted with converted Ford Model A engines.  Basic structure consisted of wooden wings, fuselage and tail unit, and a non-retractable two wheel and skid landing gear. The parasol wing was braced by two parallel streamlined section struts each side, and supported in the centre section by two sets of wire-braced parallel struts extending vertically upwards from the fuselage. The tail unit was wire braced.

Two basic aircraft were available for construction, the Air Camper and the Sky Scout, which were similar in appearance, the Aircamper being a two-seater whereas the Sky Scout was smaller, being a single seater. Since World War II the series has been revived and a number have been built in the USA, mainly with 48 kw (65 hp) Continental or Lycoming engines, and both are available in kit form. Examples of the Air Camper have been built in New South Wales in recent years. One believed to have been built in the 1940s was modified to airworthy standard. It has been noted a number of times with the registration VH-EMI painted under the wing but has not been officially registered.

Between 1932 and 1937 Albert Harris built a Pietenpol in various fowl houses and tool sheds in different parts of the NSW central coast town of Cooranbong. He installed a ten-year old four-cylinder motor cycle engine and wheels removed from a wheelbarrow. The first flight of the completed aircraft was made from what was known as Millers Paddock, which has since become Myers Crescent off Alton Road. Mr Harris was also involved in the building of an airstrip in the town.

A new modernised version of the Air Camper appeared in later years known as the Grega GN-1 Air Camper.  This could be built with a choice of wood or steel tube fuselage construction, and has been usually fitted with a more modern 48 kw (65 hp) Continental A-65 engine. A few examples of the GN-1 have been built and registered in Australia, including VH-KIL (c/n Q22), VH-EIG (c/n Q21), VH-NHS (c/n N143), VH-SEJ (c/n SE04) and VH-ARW (c/n 320-34); and examples registered with the RAA include 19-3566. Others GN-1s are known to be under construction [see separate article].

The GN-1 has a slightly higher performance, having a maximum speed at sea level of 185 km/h (115 mph); a maximum cruising speed at sea level of 145 km/h (90 mph) and a range with maximum fuel of 640 km (400 miles).  Construction of a number has been known to have commenced over the years but only a few have been completed. An Air Camper was built near Somersby, NSW and was registered with the RAA as 10-3542.  It was obtained by a Queensland operator and by early 2017 was operated by TAVAS from Caboolture, QLD.  At least two Australian Air Campers have been fitted with converted Chevrolet Corvair engines.

Plans for the Pietenpol B-4 are still available and a number have been built in the USA in recent times of all-wood construction, although a few have a steel tube fuselage and tail unit and are powered by a 45 kw (60 hp) Chevrolet Corvair converted motorcar engine.  First of the type completed in New Zealand, an Air Camper, became ZK-PRB (c/n AACA/755) on 30 March 1987.

A further example became ZK-PAC (c/n 061791) to its owner in Wellsford in August 2010.  ZK-JQN is fitted with a converted Ford Cortina engine, and ZK-JBF (c/n 001) is known as the Fairhall Special and is based on the Air Camper design but has some modifications by the builder.  Another example became ZK-ABY (c/n 02-ZK-ABY) which was registered on 22 September 2016, this machine being built by Robert and Margaret Wagner. It is built from western hemlock and hoop pine marine-grade plywood, glued with West System epoxy and  powered by a Rotec radial engine, making its first flight on 12 November 2016.

In October 2017 an example became ZK-ALG (c/n 061791AG) to GF Doran of Wakatipu.  Further examples have been constructed in Australia, a number of examples being operated from the Sports Aircraft field at Serpentine, WA. One project was commenced by Mr D Prossor of Keysborough, VIC, the registation VH-UGN being allotted but it is not known to have been completed and flown.