Full circle

[1938BF50]

Got a rare opportunity to buy back a Pietenpol project that I started 10 years ago. Had to sell it during a divorce 4 yrs ago. My new wife(of one week) encouraged that I retrieve it and finish it up. Brought it home to stay last weekend. I think I'll keep them both.

[joelharris]

Re: Full circle

That's great congrats. for both.

what kinda wheels you running on it?

Best,

Joel Harris

[Carl E. Carson]

Re: Full circle

Mike: Glad you were able to retrieve your "old friend" and will complete it. It was good to meet you at Brodhead along with your now new wife. BTW, Keith is at home now, doing well in rehab, is able to drive and said he would be able to do my annual in November.

Carl

[Robert Lees]

Re: Full circle

I also bumped into Mike at Brodhead, I was not aware of his marital news...my congratulations!

I always had a soft spot for your Sky Scout, Mike; one day I'll have one!

[M Jones]

Re: Full circle

That's great Mike! I did a quick landing at Palmyra airport this last Saturday on my way up to Rio, but didn't call you because I was on a little bit of a schedule and hadn't really planned the stop. Let's work something out before the cold weather sets in.

[1938BF50]

Re: Full circle

I made the wheels. I have made (3) sets for folks and have yet to make a set for myself. The wheels on the piet are my prototypes. I make the hubs from scratch and lace them to 21" aluminum rims. The faux "Bendix" skins are the hard part. The wheels utilize Tri-Pacer brakes and weigh exactly the same as a set of cleveland 600-6's. They really change the look of a Piet once installed. I always wanted to put a set on an experimantal Taylorcraft.

[Larry Lyons]

Re: Full circle

WOW Mike those are a work of art!
Larry

[1938BF50]

Re: Full circle

Thanx Larry!

I really have a lot of design time into them as I wanted to produce them in volume (however small). I ended up making (3) sets before declining to build any more. They are very labor intensive and at $2500/set I was working for about $6/hr truth be known. I have enough finished parts to finish a set for myself someday. As an engineer, I always strive to "build it better" and never seem to get much done advancing my own projects.

One set was "destructively tested" out at Blakesburg several years ago. A guy stalled on takeoff and drove in from about 75'. He was very lucky and walked away. The front RH wheel and engine took the brunt of the impact. 11 spokes sheared at the hub, skins and rim damaged beyond repair.....the powdercoat on the hub never even chipped! Later that day the owner handed them back to me and asked for a quote on rebuilding!

[SteveR]

Re: Full circle

That is great, keep us posted on your progress. I learned to fly taildraggers in an L2, and now I have a GN-1 AirCamper. They are really fun planes. Occasionally I'd like to have something slightly more practical (like an L2), but I couldn't stand to give up the AirCamper.

What engine are you going to use? If you don't already have it, get Chet Peek's book "The Pietenpol Story". It is very interesting. He owns a DC-65 and is a member here (and also the author of "The Taylorcraft Story".

http://www.threepeakspub.com/

You can't deny it...this is a TON of fun:

[Richard Boyer]

Re: Full circle

wow. looks like a tight fit.....

[1938BF50]

Re: Full circle

Half the fun of owning a Piet is watching folks climb in the front pit....