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1. 10:22 PM - It won't be long now (BARNSTMR@aol.com)
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| Subject: | It won't be long now |
--> Pietenpol-List message posted by: BARNSTMR@aol.com
Dear Piet group,
This weekend was a MAJOR step toward Low and slow flying for me. My
father-in-law and I just became the very excited owners of a new Pietenpol Air
Camper
project. I say "new" because it has never flown. However, this airplane
project was started way back in 1966 by a Mr. William Hewgley and G.C. Waterman
in
San Antonio TX. We bought it from Mr. Hewgley's son Richard here in the Waco
TX area. This airplane is meticulously built, but not quite complete. Wings
have been covered with ceconite thru penetration coat in 1982 and hangared
since. Tail surfaces built and covered in early 70s with irish linen need
recover. Fuselage is on gear with center section, controls, and 2 fuel tanks (ctr
section and nose) with no fabric. Evidently the airplane has been assembled at
one time with all the controls hooked up. Then disassembled and stored.
Items lacking are the engine, mount, cowling. instruments, fuel plumbing,
windshield, brakes, fuselage fabric and tail fabric. The project came with a
disassembled model A engine, but I have a 75hp continental I've been saving for
the Piet for years. Need to go thru mags and carburetor. We've already
started going thru the entire airplane but finding few items to rework. Fuel tanks
are not quite complete need to install fittings and add a sump section to the
forward tank.
We just trailered it home this afternoon and spent the entire evening
tinkering. My 2 sons (ages 11 and 8) tore off the old rotten irish linen fabric
off
the tail surfaces to find the wood to be like new....beautiful.
This is a HUGE leap forward for me. I have been wishing for time to build my
Piet for over 13 years. Basically spent all those years averaging about a
rib per year. At that pace would never be airborn. So I am tickled to death
now. I became convinced that this project was worthwhile when I slid one of my
ribs right up next to a center section rib to find them so close just as if
they were built in the same jig.
SO...anyway.....we are way PUMPED and plan to be airborne ASAP, estimate 6
months best case....1 year tops. I'll send pics soon. And we may have a model
A engine up for sale soon too...just need to see what we have here.
Cheers...
Terry Bowden
ph (254) 715-4773
fax (254) 853-3805
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