Earl Stahl chose to model the Piper
Pawnee Brave agricultural aircraft
because the confi guration was
perfect for FF Rubber Scale. Beyond the
enlarged horizontal tail and increased
dihedral, it was a faithful representation
of early productions of the 285-hp
Continental engine-powered airplanes.
Earl’s low-tech model boasted
conventional construction for the
fuselage. He noted that balsa should be
selected for strength where required,
but should also be lightweight whenever
possible. Any of the popular adhesives
could be used.
The goal for the tail surfaces was
to make them lightweight, yet sturdy.
The horizontal and vertical stabilizers
were constructed in a similar fashion.
The tail LEs and TEs were made from
lightweight balsa and the 3/32 square spar
was made from a fi rm, straight-grain
strip. The ribs were lightweight material,
and the top and bottom were overlaid
with low-density strips.
The Pawnee Brave’s wings were
removable with two rubber bands
looped over the ends of bamboo splints
extending from the fuselage sides and
under the wings. They could be made
permanent by gluing them in place after
the Japanese tissue covering was applied.
The propeller was hand carved, while
the cockpit was carved from basswood.
Wheels were made from laminations of
medium-grade balsa, while details such
as the carburetor air intake and exhaust
stacks were improvised from light balsa
or foam.
Earl used eight strands of 1/8 rubber,
19 inches long, gently launching it nose
down, wing level, at the anticipated glide
speed. This stable model was graceful
in fl ight, and would make a good
competitor if that was the builder’s goal,
yet Earl only fl ew his model in relatively
calm, stable air.
The Piper Pawnee Brave was featured
in the January 1997 MA as AMA Plans
Service listing 826 and is available for
$5 plus shipping and handling. AMA
members can access the magazine’s
digital library at www.ModelAircraft.org
to read more about it. See page 157 or
go to www.modelaircraft.org/plans.aspx
for ordering information.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/10
Page Numbers: 101
