1933 Ford Model A Pietenpol Air Camper Airplane
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- Let's take a look at Alan's 1933 Pietenpol Air Camper that he built himself. It's powered by a Ford Model A Engine and sports a two-seater open cockpit. Let's watch him suit up and fly it!
Alan is my Dad! He’s a great guy and a great pilot. Flying has been his life’s passion. This is actually the second Aircamper he’s built. I remember watching him build the first one in our garage and flying around with him in it back in the ‘80s. Seeing him start the motor by hand was always a little nerve-wracking, but he’s gotten extremely good at it over the years.
He’s a treasure for sure.
@@strangerumblings Had lunch with him today. It’s always a fun day when I’m around him. 😀
Your dad is a cool guy!
I am so glad he has been recorded. I showed this to my children and am happy to use him as a role model.
@@P61guy61 Yes. An inspiration for sure. 👍
I can't decide which is more cool, the plane or the pilot. What a great video! 👍
I'd say they're a "matched pair" - 🎼" you can't have one, without the... Other!" ☺️
Love to meet this guy and see the plane in person!
He MADE the propeller. From just stuff out of thin air and desire. He made it. Fashioned the twist, and it provides thrust.
You talk about impressive!
My mouth dropped open.
And it’s balanced!!!
This is a great video of an original Piet. This man made the WHOLE airplane, including the turnbuckles.
Well someone had to 😂.
i tried to make one just for a wall hanger but failed lol
Hi From Ireland.
That Is The Best Looking Aeroplane, That I Have Ever Seen.
Thanks.
Not alone do you find interesting aircraft, you also find interesting people, Alan's a great guy!
Thank you.
We need more people like this fine gentlemen
Hey, that's my Dad. He loves to give rides and talk about his airplanes. He really good at building and flying RC models too. He's still the coolest Dad ever!
Alan is from one of the greatest generations.
That propeller is a work of art!
I keep telling everyone that when I was a kid, every dad in the neighborhood did sh..t like this, didn't matter whether they were an accountant or a truck driver. It was quite a privilege to learn from these guys, gave me a lot of different skills and a good career ❤
@@jimhrn8522 Yes. I grew up to be one of those guys because I watched and learned from them. I’m trying to find as many as I can to get them on videos before they are all gone. If anyone can get me in contact with them I would greatly appreciate it. We are losing an information base that can not be replaced.
I would consider myaelf lucky to know someone like this gentleman. The things that he could teach a person. Great interview and flight.
@@kirbyn2010 Yes. I consider myself blessed to know the people I’ve had pleasure of knowing.
I enjoyed this very much. Alan is an interesting man. Don't let his demeanor fool you. I am a pilot and after watching his takeoff and landing, I can tell you that he has considerable piloting skill. I have always had a soft spot for Pietenpol air campers and this is a beauty. You don't see to many of them with the Model A engine and that is just too cool!! Alan, you can be very proud of your airplane. And of yourself.
1
@@mikehart6708 I will second that on Alan’s pilot skills!!!
What a gentle pilot and what a fine plane - I like it!
😹😹😹… “it flies not real good, but it flies….” Love It..!
I use to work with Alan. He is a great guy and if you ask him he will tell you he is.
Oh the engine sound! When I was a kid I remember Model A Fords were still on the road, and that sound is the same. Yes, I'm that old (1944 DOB)
I owned one you could blind fold me and I would know that sound
I learned to drive oin my dad's 1930 Model A Roadster convertible ~ the engine note upon take-off was absolutely unmistakable.
His panel switch was from the Model A. Starter was activated by a foot switch on the floor ~ much like the old high beams.
I'm also from 1944 and I've owned my 1931 Model A De Luxe Tudor Sedan for 55 years; still gives me lots of great smiles and miles. It's estimated that over 100,000 Model A's are still on the road (out of 4.8 million made from 1928-1931.
What a kind gentleman pilot. Kudos Sir!
Great guy!!!
OMG...thank Gawd for vocational education..on site and good ol common sense! Would like to give this gentleman a huge hug!...Thanks for sharing this jewel Kent... y'all rock!
You are very welcome
Damn!! If that's not one of the coolest things I've stumbled on in a very long time!! Alan and his plane are just the best!! Thanks for this.
A lovely plane, with period correct owner 💙
Keep on keeping on Alan! 👍
Absolutely neat Pietenpol! Building one has been on my life's bucket list for a very long time.
Alan reminds me of so many of my hot rod buddies, the guys, that when I was kid, made sure I became a part of the hobby.Here I am still, nearly 50 years later, a hot rod builder.
Alan, I don't know what part of the state you are in, but I hope our paths cross someday soon.
@@Charles-qq7vf 👍
That was so cool. Just glued up some wood and made his own prop. What a treasure this old man is.👍👍👍👍👍❤️
@@MacDa-yy8xn Yes he is. 👍
Back in the 60's I belonged to the EAA in Rochester, MN. Bernard Pietenpol was a guest speaker at one of our meetings where he described the history of his plane. His son was a lab tech at IBM in Rochester where I was a young engineer. Both were very knowledgeable and interesting people.
I had an Aeronca KM that had been repaired by Bernard Pietenpol in 1946. He had spliced the right forward lift strut and replaced the prop and a few wing ribs. His work on the strut was still visible. His signature was on the log entry and the 337.
I've been to the Fillmore County Historical Society in Fountain and they have several Pietenpols on display. It's a cool little museum. It would've been very interesting to see him speak.
Man o man what a beautiful classic this is!. This is where the fun is. Listen to the sound of the A-Ford engine. I bought the building plans from the grandson of Bernard Pietenpol years ago but I'm more a pilot than a builder. I'm flying a 1954 Piper Supercub . Comes close but this is the real thing!!!!!
My wife"s father and his two brothers grew up on a farm in Minnesota and were friends with Bernard Pietenpol. The brothers as teenagers built one of the early Pientenpol Air Campers and taught themselves how to fly with it. Luckily they survived although my father in law said it was often difficult to see well because the Model A radiator in frront of tkem would leak coolant and would blow back in their faces. He said they worked with Bernard along them way and made improvements to the airframe and other systems. All three brothers went on to be pilots, with one flying B17s in WWII, where he was lost. My father in law flew Boeing China Clipper seaplanes over the Pacific during Pan Am's contract to fly for the US Department of Defense. He continued to fly many planes around the Pacific after the war, with a long career with the US government. He said the Pietenphol Air Camper was always his favorite plane to fly as it held so many memories and while not fast or modern, it gave a great flying experience. He was a member of the EAA from about the beginning and went with his daughter - my wife - tio Oshkosh after retiring and moving back to the US. He would have liked your plane and video and thanks for shsring it.
@@rob5914 That’s a GREAT story and family history thanks for sharing it with us.
Loved it! What a gentleman and what a plane!
Couldn't agree more!
I've always wanted to build one of these, he's done an amazing job with his.
Yes he has!!!
This is the funniest thing i've seen in a while...
This guy had me rolling several times 🤣🤣🤣
Very impressive air plane. But The Man that built and flys it is Incredible. WOW I would love to be around him and just listen to
@@squarefour1 He is quite a guy!!!
We need more video's of this guy!
I grew up in the 50's and 60's just outside of Cherry Grove, Minnesota where Bernard Pietenpol lived and had his repair shop. My folks would have their tv's and radios repaired by Bernard. We knew about his homebuilt airplane plans but didn't realize at the time how well he was known and respected by airplane hobbyists around the US. As I recall, later Air Camper planes used a Corvair engine (at least one of his own). The grass strip airfield and hangar he had was just west of Cherry Grove. I remember Bernard as a quiet and humble self taught gentleman. Wish I had spoke to him more as I got a little older.
That was a lot of fun. Thanks, and a big thank you to Alan, too!
What an incredible man and neat airplane! Thanks for sharing
Thanks for both the plane and the builder.Yeah, bring on some more.
This Guy is great! I like the plane.
Class act, absolutely loved hearing him explain everything
@@KalebKetchum So did I. Great guy. Thanks for the comment.
Wow, I like that guy
More information about how he made the prop would be great. What a sweet guy.
I started a Piet project 56 years ago. Saw my first one at EAA Rockford and was bitten or smitten(?). Got all the metal work done except the landing gear. Then life took a hard left turn and I never finished. Had some snail mail correspondence with Bernie himself who cordially answered a question here and there. Great memories. Thanks to Alan for keeping the legend flying, and thank you for the video.
What a fantastic craft!
I loved watching this video. Made my day, God bless. That model A has a sound of it's own.
Thanks for sharing. As a model A owner this was fantastic
Dude is a legend
Fascinating! This gentlemen has so much knowledge it''s incredible.
He certainly is an inspiration to us all.
Excellent video. I love hearing a builder describe his work. Reminds me of the men I grew up around. We are so lucky to have this freedom in our country.
@@P61guy61 Yes.
What a cool man 👍🏻😊❤️
@@heinz-dietersindhoff7344 Yes he is!!!
Kent your. Knocking it out of the park . Fun fun video.
@@gregmiller8656 Thank You!
that dude is super cool!
@@GreatWhiteBud420. He really is. 👍
Outstanding........really neat fellow. And one beautiful airplane.
I got a ride in one once. The owner/pilot had to demonstrate to me on how to get into the front cockpit. A very specific procedure for your arms and legs.
that really is a cool plane and appears to be well flown.
Fantastic! Words can't describe the amount of skill and dedication!
RESPECT!
This man is living his best life… good on him!
@@danboy3399 Yes he is. 👍
Awesome plane and an awesome builder, I was lucky enough to meet someone in my local area who owns an original 1929 Pietenpol Air Camper that he takes for a flight on occasion.
Fantastic in every way !
Fun video! The bug shield is interesting😂 Love the helmet and goggles!
Glad you enjoyed
That’s a cool old ✈️ plane😊
@@thomasmaehnicke2506 Yes it is!
I have some time in a Pete, Cont. 65, Hastings MN. Brought back memories.
That was awesome! Thanks for sharing!
The guy that owns it is as cool as the plane I mean he's one in the same you can tell they belong together
@@davidgentz1731 He is definitely one cool cat that’s fun to be around!!! 👍
too cool! i did think the plane was going to have a place to lay down inside, since it has "camper" in the name. either way, that was a delight. subscribed!
@@herzogsbuick Thanks for the support. I will try to keep finding interesting airplanes to make videos about. 👍
Wonderful video! Have always loved the Pietenpol.
The pilot matches the air plane perfectly. If the shoe fits wear it
@@danokerr9929 Yep 👍
Excellent video. What a cool fellow.
a great 'ol guy & his gal
@@michaelmurphy75 Yep 👍
You sir, are my new hero
I drive a 1930 Ford Model A Roadster. The engines in these are very heavy, about 400 pounds, cast iron block, crankshaft, and flat head. Way more torque (108 ft lbs) compared to the 40 hp. You don’t rev it, just let the torque pull you along. Very durable and reliable if you follow Henry Ford’s maintenance schedule.
Fantastic plane and sounds great! 😊👍🇨🇦
Yes indeed!
I would love to buy a Piet. I'm flying a Taylorcraft now.
Very neat video i need to get my Piet finished
@@stevesingleton2148 Yes. Finish it. they are cool. 😎
They’re both way cool!
@@craigkeller Yep!!!
Clever man and great video. I'm surprised that a Model A engine would have enough power
@@ronbishop4057 It is amazing that it had enough power… but it does.
Same year as mine but with a continental and not as many trim tabs .Flys great ,lots of fun.
@@markclark1634 👍
Nice rig
That's a very cool airplane and the OG is as cool as they come. Great video, you got my sub!!!
what a cool dude
Awesome engine sound!
@@dennisyoung4631 👍
Interviewer: The radiator looks to be entirely in your way.
Alan: oh yes yes haha, I think I paid $300 for that.
I love that you’re showing cool airplanes and not new overpriced hunks of junk
I was building one in 1989 when I had to move to Washington State to find work. I sold it 2/3 complete but lacking a Ford engine of the right type, I was using a Subaru engine and had to recalculate the weight and balance, extending the engine mounts. I hope the EAA member I sold it to finished the work
Fantástico 👏🏻 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
@@manuelmallea3818 Thanks! 👍
Rzeczywiście, Pilot i samolot WSPANIAŁY!
The Pietenpol owners like to say their motto is "Low and Slow" :)
Beautiful Aircraft
@@chrisduggins3071 It really is. 👍
I love it. "No automobile engine can be adapted to power an airplane." Once again the conventional wisdom is thwarted by it's old enemy, the unconventional mind of a guy with a barn and a lot of tools.
a Message for all the People making Complimentary Statements about this Airplane . See that Second Cockpit it is for You , Not Me !
I can say with complete certainty that this… is a plane.
Very cool!
talk about living the life
Great little aircraft! It would be really interesting to see one powered by a naturally aspirated Ford Sigma 1.6L. 😁
My cousin, Herbert Rowley, was involved with building two of these in the early 70's, one for himself and one for the local air scouts. His was powered with a Corvair flat 6. He flew out of Genesee airport, south of Rochester, NY. If anyone knows what became of these, let me know!
very cool❤
I wanted to see the "Camper" part.
I always thought the pietnpol is a really cool airplane. I especially admire the ingenuity of the people who built them. Where is this based at? I haven't seen any around Prescott.
My DAD is a badass!
This is called a "parasol wing" right? I love this kind of aircraft. Nothing but a few struts between you and the view. Always wanted to get taken up in one. If I recall correctly the very first successful fighter aircraft with fixed machine guns firing through the propeller was a Morane-Saulnier Type L parasol wing fighter which had deflector wedges built into its propeller to deflect stray bullets. This was before the interrupter gear.
I'm impressed with all the details and accuracy of fit. And then the engine pops over so easily.
I'm curious if it is hard to get a home-built like this certified since it is being built with such primitive technology. And aren't propellers strictly regulated too.
Nope. I had one for years.
LOL, it sounds like a model A in the sky!
needs a PT6