Piper PA-8 Skycycle

AIRPLANE MANUFACTURERS dur ing 1944 still being pressed capac ity war effort aviation companies WW II Allied victory evident mind plans already being formulated futuristic civilian airplane market Piper Aircraft Corporation Lock Haven PA topic airplane postwar commodity often subject discussion brown bag lunches Seeing end WW Ii hand Piper begun gear its production toward civilian aviation market Deciding build several pianesto cover manyaspecta general aviation Skycycie wasto low-cost bottom-of-the-lIne entryalmed atthe indivlduai fly-for-fun pilot Aviation label underscored efforts bring airplane within financial reach world interested private flying Also attendance Pipers son WT Piper Jr served secretary treasurer WB St John sales manager Ted Wells vice-president sales promotion Two other key Piper employees complemented meeting Walter C Jamouneau chief engineer Hanand unofficial office get-togethers midJune 1944 scheduled weekly Piper executive conference session theme part official agenda Chairing conference Pipers president William T Piper Sr 18811970 outstanding pioneers aviation America Bill Piper often referred Henry Ford EKenneth D Wilson Designed near end WW II using unheard materials techniques plane one-man ticket expensive general aviation look trials tribula tions design trends postwar market caused abandoned before really took off March 1986 85 Lycoming 0-145-A engine developed 55 hp afforded PA-8 Skycycle cruise speed 102 mph planes unique ilnesquickiy became favorite subject modelers mid iate Forties plans kits gas rubber power versions ford Eckman superintendent produc tion manager Both gentlemen directly supported made Piper Aircraft Corporation success yet remained relatively unknown Jamouneau con sidered power behind throne rarely did Bill Piper make decision concerning Piper company policies business consulting Walter out Jamouneau Piper Aircraft Corpor ation probably would have enjoyed such prosperous life Eckman Curtiss Aero plane Company Consolidated Aircraft Above wide-track gear PA-S made easy handle ground Right As tamed Piper J-3 Cub frames Skycycle test pilot Clyde Smith hand props Continental engine Rex Taylor division head Experimental Department Corporation Buffalo NY before joining Pipers predecessor Taylor Air craft Company March 1934 contributed design Piper aircraft Piper J-4 Coupe Eckmans project aim see Piver manufactured safest Left Skycycie under construction Eckmans production labora tory C-clamps wire bracing temporarily hold Co-Ro-Ute Corsair drop tank fuselage together Entire PA-S assembly done construction drawings Above PA-S itwas first roiled out January 27 1945 Short wing-to-fuseisge fairings enlarged prevent airfiow separation overthe tail surfaces 86 Model Aviation Howard Pug Piper flies favorite Piper airplane Skycycie over Pennsylvania countryside Use Co-Ro-Lite wartime restric tions made better choice metal marked first time aviation plastics used stressed areas airpiane Left instrument board featured wood grain decal first Piper airpianes Vertical iayout instruments aiiowed fuei capacity Above L-R Neai Carison division head iofting CharlesCupp Production Department head Hanford Eckman PA 8 designer Al Butler Engineering Stress Department photo graphed June1945 just before PA-S went Sales Dept Left Skycycie deiight aerobatics Neai Carison slow-rolis Rolls either right ieft done ease piane tendency gyrate rapidly upon entering spin Right large overhang-type rudder instalied give betterdirectional controi takeoffs equipped Lycoming 55-hp engine Later canopy mods showed returning original rudder March 1986 87 PA-8 SKYCYCLE OPERATING SPECIFICATIONS WITH THE LYCOMING O-145A ENGINE 55 HP AT 2300 RPM MAXIMUN NORMAL RATING TOP SPEED109 MPH CRUISING SPEED100 MPH STALL SPEED37MPH LANDING SPEED40 MPH TAKE OFF ROLL375 FT RATE OF CLIMB875 EPM CRUISING RANGE200 MILES OIL CAPACITY5 QTS FUEL CAPACITY8 GALS APPROX THE FUEL TANK WAS MODIFIED FOR CLEARANCE FOR THE BACK OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL 4 91/2 PA-S INSTRUMENT PANEL PIPER PARTS NUMBERS LISTED 0 G FABRIC COVERED STABILIZER ELEVATOR IALTIMETER BLACK DIAL PART NO 496 142 S-COMPASS-PART NO 450 625 3AIRSPEED INDICATORBLACK OIALI FF4TACHOMETERCREAM DIAL SOIL TEMPERATURE AND OIL PRESSURE PART NO 450 01 64-4 COUPE THROTTLE CONTROL ASSEMBLY- PART NO 496 lOS 7PRIMER PUMP- PART NO 451 100 BWOOD GRAIN DECAL ON INSTRUMENT BOARD E E BLACK COLOR A 4-2 IGNITION SWITCH WAS MOUNTED ANTI-SKIDONAPANEL ON TNE MAIN WING SPAR WAF WING WALKIN FRONT OF THE CONTROL STICK NO SCALEI WAF/ B SKYCYCLE LOGO ON FUSELAGE LOGO WAS STENCIL DESIGNED AND HAND CUT BY HELEN CRIPPS RANDOLPH M-BB2I LOCK HAVEN YELLOW COLOR NO SCALEI F TC L FC/L Vi THRUST111K CENTER LINE III FC/L FUSELAGEIII CENTER LNE flrOILLEVELFUELCAP GAUGE STICK [AND GAUGE 11AI B Ia J ~j PIPER AIRCRAFT CORP LOGO ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FIN RANDOLPH 0-1920 PIPER TRAINER BLUE COLOR NO SCALE IS ID FABRIC COVERED1-7 FIN S RUDDER C E F REG NO STENCIL ON BOTH SIDES OF RUDDER RANDOLPH 0-1920 PIPER TRAINER BLUE COLOR NO SCALE K-I N 2 6 -I SEVERAL MODIFICATIONS AND APPEARED NAT LEAST NINE DIFFERENT CONFIGURATIONS THIS DRAWING SHOWS THE PA-B AS IT APPEARED IN APRIL 1945 POWERED BY THE LYCOMING 0- 145A ENGINE KflLS AVPRINT EVANSVILLEIND SECTION TOBALUMINUM SHEET METAL COWLING SECTION B TOECO-ROLITE F4U CORSAIR DROPABLE FUEL TANK SECTION E TO TAIL CONE ROLLED ALUMINUM ALLOY CONE PIPER AIRCRAFT CORPORATION PA-8 SKYCYCLE DRAWN B INKED BY KENNETH D WILSON-AMA 14065 FOR MODEL AVIATION PLATE NO1 2 OI2345 SCALE 88 Model Aviation B SINCERE APPRECIATION IS EXPRESSED TO THE FOLLOWING FOR INVALUABLE ASSISTANCE RENDERED ON THE PIPER PA-S SKYCYCLE RESEARCH AVIATION ARCHIVES OF THOMAS J HAUCK RICK ROPKEY NATIONAL AIR S SPACE MUSEUM KATHLEEN L BROOKS-PAZMANY JAY R SPENSER PIPER AIRCRAFT CORP LOCK HAVEN PA KEN BALLARD AIRFRAME REPAIR MECHANIC GERALD TIP POORMAN-CHIEF ENGINEER ELECTRICAL/AVIONICS CLYDE R SMITH JR.-INSTRUCTOR/ TECHNICAL TRAINING PIPER PA-B SKYCYCLE PROJECT A HANFORD ECKMAN SUPT S PRODUCTION MANAGER WALTER C JAMOUNEAU- CHIEF ENGINEER NEAL K CARLSON DIVISION HEAD OF LOFTING CLYDE R SMITHSRCHIEF TEST PILOT REXFORD L TAYLOR- EXPERIMENTAL DIVISION HEAD WILLIAMSPORT TECHNICAL INSTITUTE ARTHUR E BARR-INSTRUCTOR PERSONS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE PIPER PA-B SKYCYCLE WERE[v32]NH] A HANFORD ECKMAN NEAL CARLSON CHARLES CUPP HARRY BURGOON JOHNNY WALTZ CLAIR BECK BILL NEFF GENEVIEVE COX HELEN CRIPPS GUY PANDOLFINO FRED STRICKLAND AL BUTLER CLYDE R SMITHSR JAY MYERS EWING SPAR ATTACHMENT ACCESS THE WING IS FABRIC COVERED AFT OF THE MAIN SPAR AND IS ALUMINUM ALLOY COVERED FORWARD OF THE MAIN SPAR ALUMINUMQ INSPECTION PLATE FAIR INS EE 10I/1 I17-1/2 _ W HG REG STRAT ON NUMBER LAYOUT B BHEGHT2 WDTH 3STROKE4 SPAC NG C B TC/L.$. FC/L E 20 PROPELLER IS NATURAL WOOD FINISH EXCEPT WHERE NOTED PIPER PA-S SKYCYCLE DRAWING RESEARCH[v32]NH]-PIPER AIRCRAFT CORA DRAWING NO 3K- 2325 -A HANFORD ECKMAN -NEAL K CARLGON -CLYDE R SMITHSR -PA-B PHOTOS AVPRINT T-BGA EVANSVILLEIND BRASS CUFF ________ B D RANDOLPH NO M-B521 LOCK HAVEN YELLOW PF1 RANDOLPH NO Q-1B20 PIPER TRAINER BLUE BERKLEY PRODUCTS CO OLIVE DRAB COLOR ENAMEL MIX SENSENICH LOGO PIPER AIRCRAFT CORPORATION PA-8 SKYCYCLE DRAWN D BY KENNETH D WILSON-A MA 14065 FOR MODEL AVIATION PLATE NO2012 OI2345 COLOR CODES SCALE March 1986 89 lowest-cost airplane market necessarily fanciest trend proved correct especially concerned Piper J-3 Cub really put com pany business After much pro con dialogue decision made Piper Aircraft Corporation would build trio airplanes patterned similar Detroits graduated auto sales system would offer aviation customer wide option aerial conveyance limousine Pipers new series aircraft sleek sophisti cated PA-6 Sky Sedan design proved itself model form Pennsyl vania State Colleges wind tunnel PA6 could cruise 140 mph 60% rated power four passengers roomy cockpit decline family airplane market mid-i 947 limited production single prototype second member Pipers new skylineage sporty dual-place Sky Coupea radical departure earlier Piper designs Sky Coupe featured twin booms supporting tail section pusher-type engine encased main fuselage cell between booms tricycle landing gear Unfortunately airplane proved such disappoint ment performance tests Piper gave up idea producing sky motorcycle triad miniature very lovable original Pipers PA-8 would christened Sky cycle Eckman expressed thoughts about small economical singleplace airplane especially would sell Under $1000 Bill Piper personally gave him nod approval Hanford Eckmans fertile mind conceived new uses basic materials led un heard construction PA-8 produc tion assembly line first prototype built withstand tedious testing period 90 Model Aviation visiting Aunt ock Haven PA May 1945 MGM moviecnriayWiiiiams posed PA-S Skycycie later became Mrs Clark Gable July 1955 Fuselage riveted together centerline seam Fuel tank fill cap ana gauge combi nation left side forward cockpit Early Plexiglas canopy gave 360 visibility Mrs Margaret Bush Piper wife William T Piper Jr enjoysthe PA-S Skycycie proved its airworthiness sewing Piper employees business trips sport flying Because wartime subcontracts ing completed Piper both Boeing Airplane Company Consolidated Air craft Corporation Piper L-4 liaison airplanes being built US Army normal production areas occu pied Eckman forced set up section production laboratory lofting departnwnt Skycycles initial sembly work Moreover materials essen tial war effort unavailable use PA-8 Eckman compelled seek out various composites surplus stock Jamouneau began visiting Columbian Rope Company Auburn NY inquire about products known Co-Ro-Lite product company manufacturing drop aircraft fuel tanks military forerunner modern-day plastics Co-Ro Lite produced sisal hemp fibers impregnated varnish res ins molded baked Since aircraft drop fuel tanks 1944 being built aluminum Eckman easily able obtain Co-Ro Lite fuel tank designed dropping US Navys Vought F4U Corsair fighter airplane used Skycycles main fuselage section PA-8 ever become mass-produced airplane intention entire fuselage wings leading edge movable control surfaces molded Co-Ro-Lite product would sup port combusion highly wear re sistant Further estimated Co Ro-Lite process would reduce PA-8s construction costs 50% Eckman next visited Rohm Hass Company Philadelphia manufacturers Plexiglas enclosures military aircraft purchased two bubbles would enclose cockpit pro vide 3600 field vision late October 1944 before Skycycle finally under construction Eckman assigned Neal K Carlson division head lofting fabrica tion full-time basis No official Piper Aircraft Corporation construction drawings ever produced Skycycle common situation era prototype airplane Instead PA-8 born notebook sketches hand-fit-as-serves-the-purpose meth ods As problems arose Carlson Eck man kicked around solution often PA-8 would have wait other company business took precedence Though employees assisted con struction time permitted Skycycle retained its middle road priority status Drawing No Sk-2325 dated 7-1045 three-view PA-8 isometric drawing same plate official Piper Aircraft Corpora tion drawing Skycycle use non-traditional construction materials necessitated some creative prob lem solutions bubble canopy required cutting filing fitting refitting before finally matched F4U Corsair fuel tank contours tubular steel frame stalled inside Co-Ro-Lite tank sup port structural loads other modifica tions made accommodate attach ments engine mount wing tail boom Aircooled Motors Corporation Syra cuse NY developed lightweight lowpriced twin-cylinder air-cooled engine originally installed Skycycle developed vibration problems al though viscous torsional damper later tamed situation two-lunger en gine replaced four-cylinder Continental A-40-4 engine 40 hp final coats Randolph Lock Haven Yellow Piper Trainer Blue ap plied late December 1944 Barely two months elapsed fin sported Piper logo often ques tioned rarely explained showing four points compass word PIPER contained within logo tilted slightly right right side fin indicate true north thereby signaling Piper Aircraft Corporations head ing true direction because mistake paint shop logo left side fin tilted opposite direction became inside company joke Did Piper Corporation really know way headed meant jest question apt because no aviation company knew what course set diverse forecasts post war aviation As photographers gathered round newborn cub rolled out fresh snow Cub Haven Airport Friday January 27 1945 stood tribute Hanford Eckman leading light its development Neal K Carlson almost single-handedly build ing PA-8 what seemed impos Continued page 160 Shoppers Wassons department store inaianapoiis aamire ask questions about Skycycie display during promotional tour Midwest Early marketing strat egy have Skycycie sold department stores other non-aviation retailers Ray P Knaup sales manager Midwest Airways Inc Piper dealership Milwaukee proudly shows PA-8 aluminum cockpit turtieback fairing improved takeoff hand ling allowed smaller better looking rudder reinstalled Skycycle March 1986 91 Flying Near Airports Careful Free Flight Radio Control flying near airports situation might involve possibility models being vicinity fullscale aircraft operations must avoidedor conducted eliminate dangerous situations Models should flown proximity full-scale aircraft operations unless flyer has someone else him sole purpose watching full-scale aircraft supervising flying prevent accident possibilities Safe Flying No Accident 16Alexis Contrucci France665 Team Scores 1 China Fan Mi Ren Hong Liu Aiqiang 10787 2 USA Chip Hyde Dave Brown Dave Wilson 10776 3 France Pascal Malfait Christian Bossard Andre Laffite 10317 tournament testing waters Chinese team begin enter ing F3A RC Aerobatics World Champion ships events obvious ready will well look forward participation 1987 World Cham pionships responding advertisers mention read about ModelAviation Piper PA-B/Wilson Continued page 91 sibly-brief time using techniques ma terials new aviation field Skycycles fate rested another pair hands Clyde R Smith Sr chief test pilot Piper Aircraft Corporation Hollywoods cellu loid image test pilot did fit Clyde Smith hidden perils portrayed silver screen him experimental flight close early 1 940s sudden strong crosswind flipped taxiing air plane upside down grass Smith suffered painful spinal injury still endures January 30 dawned cool crisp S aVO OId Thner B9 yJICI j2Oi yj iat 8f etts Is. Spa~to poO5 Ignition Engine Parts Only clear day early Monday morning Smith walked across flight line Cub Haven Airport name Pipers leased section Lock Haven Municipal Airport heading initial test flight PA-8 Skycycle After walk-around visual exterior inspection plane donning Irvin parachute Clyde buckled himself cockpit throttle slightly cracked switch off line chanic pulled through engine several times As Clyde shouted Contact brakes cockpit dependable Continental A-40-4 engine roared life its first hot propping Smith waited idling engines oil reach proper temperature full rev ving Experience taught him expect unexpectedmoreso airplane like PA-8 its new design innovations After taxiing main run way going through pro-flight checks full power static run up Skycycle ready Clyde guided tiny plane down runway several high-speed alignment tracking checks throttle firewalled became airborne after short takeoff run Smith climbed 2500 feet eased back power Immediately unusual vibration shook tail sur faces Although increased power lessened oscillation Smith still thought tail boom might disintegrating Cautiously TARBaby TRANSMITTER CASE Especially Turn-around thisAn inexpensive rugged molded 850 sq 120 4 cyclecase protect expensive powered Ron Chidgey designtransmitter both two stick smooth solid performersingle stick transmitters Brown 1 Rib templates computerleather grain aluminum trim plotted Plans construc tion hints -$1196and locking clasp $1896 WING TUBE & SOCKETSNEW WING MOUNTING SET Aluminum alloy tubing plug-in wing mounting system developed Ron Chidgey wings Included pair fast nest accurate stays tight Three special slip-fit phenolic sockets nylon brackets screws machined wing blocks build wing structureincluded -$695 Now s size models 718 dia x 2 5 1Adiax2-$ g95 74 1/zdiax3-$1495 tor RIG Products 3713 Pompano DrSee Dealer Order Direct Pensacola FL 32514 Phone AC 904 476-8039Include $150 Per Item UPS 160 Model Aviation Over 450 ftems Send $200 current catalog eased PA-8 back Cub Haven Airport swift calculations proved culprit wing-to-fuselage fair ing rear Corsair drop tank fuse lage sharp taper meet small diameter tail boom creating large gap between trailing edge wing fuselage small area original wing-to-fuselage fairing produced airflow separation permitted air burble over tail surfaces causing tremendous buffeting new fairing elongated quite some distance fuselage tail cone fashioned PA-8s in-flight mood greatly improved modifica tion probably significant refinement made Skycycle became very busy little airplane racked up time logbooks Eckman Carlson Rex Taylor head Experimental Division Howard Pug Piper considered favorite airplanes Other Piper executives flew Skycycle too brief business trips personal pleasure late February 1945 Piper staff decided Skycycle marketed aviation customers North would necessary equip airplane skis Neal Carlson readily adapted pair cut-down J-3 Cub skis March 2 1945 Clyde lifted skiaccessorized plane Cub Haven Air port headed railroad tracks ran south Piper plant railway easily-visible mile markers rightof-way Smith usually made speed calculation runs Neal Carlson watched day Smith brought ski-geared PA-8 out shal low dive about 75 feet above Pennsy tracks froze horror Skycycle went near-vertical stall yo-yoed up down missing ground mere inches Skycycles cockpit madhouse As Smith begun level off Continental engine maximum rpm considerable lift developed over rear ward section bubble canopy cracked Before time realize what occurred canopy made partial turn releasing latch folded over onto right wing Smith holding stopwatch left hand control stick right left brave chilling elements PA-8 went dive right unlatched bubble destroyed lift wing canopy open tail surface controls useless As Skycycle porpoised Clyde fought vigorously bitter wind grasp flopping canopy regain control Though finally got bubble closed enough have semicontrol Continental remained full power forced hand-hold canopy shut operating control stick did mostly between knees throttle Skycycle never under full control limped back Cub Haven Airport flight seemed Clyde Smith though Jekyll Hyde personalityat once change sweet playful little cub full-grown fighting terrifying grizzly Back ground Smith gave evaluation situation Skycycle inspected discussions ensued cause near disaster Ground testing decided upon Neal Carlson installed new 3600-visibility canopy identical destroyed ski-test flight Carlson jacked PA-8s tail section up in-flight posture tethered simulate inflight airflow characteristics three J-3 Cubs placed front PA-8 engines turning full throttle Charlie Cupp cockpit gunned PA-8s engine maximum rpm Again rear canopy started rise lift produced shook vibrated great deal did roll over onto wing play dead Additional interior bracing added canopy latching mechanism modified April 40-hp Continental power plant upgraded 55-hp Ly coming 0-145-A Skycycles per formance improved Lycoming later replaced 65-hp Continental A-65 Clyde Smith making test flight March 20 1946 fullpower takeoff some low-time pilots expe rienced ground-handling problems extra horsepower original-size rudder full right-rudder pedal applied full throttle compensate torque takeoff Installation redesigned rudder larger area solved problem though detracts air planes appearance PA-8 resumed its performance tests propeller checks once again served hack airplane com pany until new bubble canopy devel oped hairline cracks trailing edge time decided fullview canopy arrangement would have modified unexpectedly solved another unsightly situation Approximately one-third back section trans parent bubble cut off replaced permanent cockpit-enclosure-to-fuse lage turtleback fairing new alumi num fairing longer original canopy featured pronounced taper upper edge alteration produced smoother airflow over tail surfaces allowed original smaller rudder reintroduced earlier directional instability problems takeoff Successful ski tests later performed Assistant Test Pilot Jay Miller other Piper business took Clyde Smith away PA-8 project Peacetime America little over three months away Pipers experi mental department satisfied ongoing PA-8 testing late June 1945 Skycycle turned over cor porations sales department promotion Continued page 162 March 1986 161 ADVERTISERS INDEX ADVERTISERS INDEX ADVERTISERS INDEX ADVERTISERS INDEX AMA Membership74 Academy Aviation R&D156 Ace Radio Control121 Airtronics2 Altech MarketingCover 2 American Junior Aircraft Co150 Applied Design Corp136 Astro Flight10 Balsa USA9 Beemer RC West DistrIbutors49 Bergeron Enterprises158 Blue Ridge Machinery & Tools148 Blue Ridge Models149 Dave Brown Products12 Bru Line Industries18 Byron Originals79 California Model Imports53 CaRs Products152 Carolina-Taffinder138 Johnny Casburn Mfg12 Champion Model Products148 Cheveron16 Cipolla Combat149 Cleveland Model & Supply Co122 Eric Clutton149 Condor Trading Co141 Consumers Guide38 Coverite153 Cox Hobbies139 D&O Engineering158 DGA Designs128 135 Larry Dodge Aero Inc149 Dodgson Designs153 Dougs Hobby Shop142-1 45 Du-Bro Products Inc13 Dynathrust Props140 FAI Model Supply126 FHS Supply Inc4 Fabtronics130 Flyilne Models156 Fourmost Products36 Fox MfgCo150 Futaba Corp America21 GL International129 GM Precision Products127 Gator RC Products160 Carl Goldberg Models1 155 Larry Gordon130 Gorham Model Products15 141 Great Planes Model Mfg Co131 Harry B Higley & Sons53 Historic Aviation17 Hobby Barn118-119 Hobby Horn53 Hobby Lobby International161 Hobbypoxy Products146 Hobby Woods158 Holleys Silent Flight36 Bob Holman Plans146 Howard B Huebi150 Ikaros International122 Ikon Northwest Co127 Indy RC Sales Inc132-134 Jacks Models129 Jeffla Corp148 Jomar160 JTec130 K&BMfg131 K&S Engineering117 K W Enterprises129 Knights Air138 Kustom Kraftsmanship157 L&L Model Products39 Lone Star Models47 MACS Products126 M&W Models130 Master Kit154 McDaniel RC Service158 Messers Quality Model Prod152 Micro Mark38 Micro Model Engineering160 Model Products Corp49 Model Rectifier CorpCover 3 Sid Morgan Plans156 Morrill-ADC120 Mutchiers Hobbies124-1 25 NEPRO140 Northeast Screen Graphics8 Off Ground Models154 Okie Free Flight Flyer148 Old Timer Model Aircraft120 149 PAC Model Supply138 PK Products166 Pacer Technology160 Peck-Polymers152 Pelican Enterprises148 Penn Valley Hobby Center149 Pica Products5 Point Sebago39 Polks Model Craft Hobby6-7 Progress Mfg Co131 Pro-Tune Corp154 RC Buyers Guide159 RC Video Magazine38 RFM Design Research146 Repla-Tech International148 Robbe Modelisport163 SR Batteries153 SachsbyTG140 Satellite City61 Shamrock Competition Imports123 Sheldons Hobby Shop20 Sidekick51 SigMfgCo1118147 Standale Aircraft126 St Croix Park Falls16 Sullivan Products84 Swanson Associates135 T&D Research Aseoc136 Tatone Products Co152 Tidewater Hobby Enterprises18 Time/Life Books19 Toledo RC Exposition51 Top Flite Models Inc83 Tower Hobbies151 VK Model Aircraft126 VL Products128 WE Technical Services8 Wandit Manufacturing141 Williams Bros10 Wilshire Model Center16 Windsor Propeller Co127 Wing Mfg Co20 Workshop Concepts39 World Engines137 Cover 4 Zenith Aviation Publications37 Zimpro Marketing12 Nick Ziroli Models10 CW Bucky Taylor energetic Piper sales promotional manager wasted no time Neal Carison fly PA-8 Philadelphia first public showing mammoth war bond drive/airshow com bination labeled Aviation Week held during July 4 holiday week Northeast Philadelphia Airport little Skycycle parked under nose Army C-47 ambulance plane time lost attention crowd two brand new Grumman F6F Hellcats collided midair during military show After Aviation Week Taylor envisioned department store merchandis ing Piper airplanes directed Carlson Harry Louden Piper A&E mechan ic proceed Windy City Skycycle would prominently displayed indoors Macys Mr Mrs Shopper admire ask questions about Next sales team off St Louis Lambert Field PA-8 disassembled trucked business center town late night Stopping Famous Barr store PA-8s fuselage taken seventh floor via freight elevator wing hoisted up outside building hauled inside through large window fully-assembled Skycycle resem bled Quarter Scale model Famous Barr toy department Famous Barrs oompetitors baf fled plane got first place envious large crowds drawing similar Piper department store rally held next Indianapolis IN after Bucky Taylor invited prominent Midwestern East Coast Piper distribu tors fly Skycycle own airport turf allowed qualified local pilots take PA-8 around patch Skycycle tour meeting new future Piper customers WW H ended Within few months Piper found itself very enviable position could keep up J-3 Cub orders dealers returning ex-military personnel armed GI Training Bill money flooding local airport learn fly compete market Aeronca Aeronautical Corporation America Middletown OH introduced pleasing Model 7 AC Champion dual-seat sporttrainer Piper oounterattacked chal lenge PA-i 1 Cub Special featured several oomfortable changes over J-3 Cub outdone Piper brought out PA-i 2 Super Cruiser threeplace airplane further compete effec tively others lightplane market Piper assembly lines became overtaxed Lock Haven J-3 Cub production moved new Piper factory Ponca City OK PA-il PA-i 2 production occupying avail able space sup ported PA-8 program being assigned Ponca City factory Skycycle proj ect shelved Skycycle become orphan adopted Cub Flyers Piper company flying club claimed worlds largest flying club Piper employee belonging club could fly J-3 dual solo $112 hour Also customer wished new Piper airplane delivered distant city club members allowed fly airplane customer thus gaining cross-oountry expe rience drawing full salary making return bus train PA-8 very quickly became favorite airplanes Cub Flyers sport across Pennsylvania sky spring day April 1947 Slim Makin head Pipers Lock Haven security checked out PA-8 Upon landing Makin crunched Skycycle down hard main wing spar twisted base 162 Model Aviation No 503 No 504 No 505 Buzzbat$750 RC Two-channel slope soarer spans 60 Turbo Lance II$150 FF Rubber-powered scale model spans 191/2 inches P-38 Lightning$1175 CL Twin-engine scale model spans 65% weighs 10 lb uses twin 35 larger engines Plans show civilian-owned OAF version Two sheets No 193 Slilletto CL Stunt model McDonald winner 19761980 1982 FAI World Champ 75 No 239 Blue Birds RC Ken Willards formation plane 4-channel 10-power$ 375 No 262 Craslimasler CL Crash-proof trainer two sizes1 5-30- 35-40-power $ 125 lIe 362 MInI F-16 RC Sorpolos 049 docted fan sport flier 2-channel Balsa wings toil fuse structure $ 275 Na 316 1930 Fleet Biplane BC Sport Scale 35-40 4-channel Wiegspan 56 e Two sheets $ 625 Na 314 Drake t BC Ken Willards flying boat 3-channel 1 5-power Fly land removable gear $ 375 Ne 326 Taylor Cub BC Don Srulls Schoolyard-Scale 049s 2-3 choenel Spans 50 lo- $ 350 No 332 Zephyr BC Small 2-channel glider hand-launch tow thermal slope snoring 0 No 366 Laser 260 BC Sport Scale replica championship Aerobatic flier Uses 40 power 4-5 chaneel Two sheets $1075 Na 39B Gee Bee fl-i BC Haffkes latest 1-scale spans 75 weighs 15 lb flies 90 larger Feer sheets no doc $2225 Na 414 Electile Spartry BC electric-powered too flier forDS motor 3-choenel BC scaled api 939 rubber-power favorite $ 850 No 422 Scooter BC Two-Meter Sailplane has won Nats event 18621983 plus other contests $ 550 No 436 renaMe BC Zippy little spertuter fur 1015 power aed 3-channel BC . 0 No 433 Watts Up BC Electric-powered glider 2-3 channels 035 motor spans 52 50 Ne 436 CruIser FF Embryo Endurance rubber-power fun ship has big-model characteristics $ 200 Ne 440 Canahr BC Old-Timer-like new design bus huge wing slow easy flights 35 power 3 channels Two sheets $1 725 No 444 PirekelE BC pusher canard sporlipottorn uses 40 pusher engine 4-chaneel Has swept-forward loom wings $ 650 No 446 Le Crate BC Electric-powered sport flier forDS motors 3-channels Two versions parasol cabin 550 No 441 Miss Anseilca BC Old-Timer %A Tosaco model 049 glow 2-channels No 452 Bee Bee Z BC Quarter-scale spans 71% uses 90 power Four sheets $1600 No 453 Smooltde Profile CL Profile rendition Bob Palmers super-StonIer early Fifties 35 power $ 550 Ne 454 Seneel P-3B FF Neal stick-and-tissue Outdoor Bobber P-3D-class model coetest-winner $ 200 Na 457 Spectra BC Elect ric-pewer 05-size motor uses 3 different wings sport soaring aerobatics $ 700 No 466 446 BC Shoulder-wing sport flier 4-cycle 40-size engine 4 channels $ 650 Ne 461 Tntslen Baraslormuer CL Famous unflapped StonIer late Forties Uses 35 engine 650 No 462 PomiBo P6 FF Jumbo Bobber Scale WW Italian observatien plane $ 400 No 463 Platylsetmiolbes YE BC %A Pylon racer uses lots life ply built-op structure strength lighteoss 475 No 465 Blue Mix t BC Fonfly sportster 40-size engines spans 52 Lightweight structure $ 700 No 467 Alco Spent FF Bobber Scale design won 83 Nuts designer Don Srolf Wingspan 26 in $ 250 No 466 Sianellier CL StonIer 29135 power Design based hybrid SmoothielNobler$ 675 Na 476 Stroker BC Midwieg sportster uses 40145 four-stroke engine spass 50% fail-dragger $ 650 No474 PocerlsFFNerdic A-i Towhee Glider won 1953 World Champs $ 500 No 475 Beophynical CL Slow Combat model uses geodetic wing ceestroclion 36 engine Two-sheet plan has parts patterns $ 400 Ne 476 ManIa 250 FF composition %A plane has macta-ray-shaped wing spans 43 in5 500 No 477 MandarIn CL Sport Slueter uses sport 15 engine spans 35 in$ 325 No 476 Buttescup BC Cute elfin sportoter uses micro 2-ch BC pulse-rudder Spans 27 820-035 power $ 300 No 476 FearSlroke Rooster BC SpnrtlAerobatics ship has 1 920s styling uses 90 4-stroke engise spans 85 iv 2 sheets $1100 No 460 Rhllcoloos CL Fabuloos compotition Stoeter has 550 sq wing area flies TO 0491051 spans 47% in $ 600 No 461 Europa BC Sailplane FAt compot lee has hberglass fuselage loom wings wing flaps stabilator tail Spans 110 in $ 700 No 462 Boldee-Ager BC SportiAerobatic model looks like Golden Age sportuter 60 engines spans 62 in $ 750 No 463 CBS Hawk Ultralght FF Outdoor Gas Scale plane uses CO-2 power spoon 29 in $ 380 Ne 464 Aeroaca K BC Quarter-Scale 300 lightplane spans Oft uses 12 co 2-cyf 4-stroke engine weighs 11 V lb Three sheets 75 No465 ltawker Neater CL Fun-scale British jetfighter has 18%-in loom wing uses %A power-$ 175 No 466 MhsAlwoed Special BC Sport-Scale ot Golden Age air-racer uses 21 engine spans 45 $ 625 No 487 Cap 21 BC Scale Aerobatic plane 40-size engine spons 62 Two sheets. $1000 Na 466 MB-7 FF Jumbo Bobber Scale 011920-era Thomas Morse Scoot biplane spans 37 in$500 No 469 Iledentaker CL Foom-winged Fast Combat plane 36 engine spans either 45 47 in $ 500 No 496 WURC Low-wing sport flier 20-size 4-stroke engion spans 47% in. $ 575 No 491 Vt CL Advanced trainer all-balsa spans 23 ones %A power $ 325 No 492 -i TowBee Glider spans 51 uses tibergiass tail boom circle-tow mechanism 250 No 493 Seper&eee BC Sbmdderwing sport flier spans 66 uses 45-60 engine Two sheets $1275 No 494 IBABBOk Cf Very lightweight sportlStonter flies unwind pnwer alone 04915 power Spas 39 in $ 480 Ne 495 PW-190 BC Hand-launched all-bulsa sculelike sportster 1015 engines two BC channels Spans 39 in $ 425 No 496 P47 Thuodeshelt BC Other half Onglight Don has similar characteristics FW-l 90 $ 425 No 497 Moebattae Pieces FF Indoor rubber cabin model ldeal beginners Spans 20% in $ 200 No 496 Mtdwesi Spent Racer CL Simple rugged profile racer 35 engine spans 36 in $ 350 No 4994-60 BC Dee Mathews great sport Bier 60-size four-stroker engine spans 70 Two sheets$1 275 No 500 Fekker DVI BC Sport scale model WW moonpiane uses 90 leer-stroke engine spans 83% Two sheets $1600 No 501 Elodecker DiSport scale model nI early WW monoplane %A power spans 23% in $ 200 Ne 502 BIB Wietess Vagabond FF Sport flier down-sized 02-powered versine 1940s cabin plane Spans 33% in $ 225 0 c0 a0 -0 ZO orO 0 . -- 0 0 -Il mmmmmmmmmmrnmmmmmm 0 fl Circle numbers plans wish order 193 239 262 302 310 314 326 a33238639841442243043I iI 40444446447452453 4457460461462463465 5E 467468470474475476477 478479480481482483484 485486487488489490491 o492493494495496497498 503504505 I oF orPlan prIce includes first class postage US delivery Air Mall over 300 mIles orders outside US. please add $250 Air Mail $125 surface mail plan Make check money order payable US foods Model Aviation AMA 1810 Samuel Morse ResIns VA 90 Please allow 3 6 weeks delivery _ se print carefullyEnclosed $ I NAME -En U ss STREET _ STATE ________________________ ZIP ________________________ _ uoru m w aevaor s ue -W 5207 fuselage entry point Since spar rear stop elevator control stick affected control movement landing gear suffered damage did rear fuselage cone section Makin walked away accident injured PA8 left lie around Cub Haven Airport hangar being attended late 1947 Skycycle wreck stripped its engine instruments given Aviation Department Williamsport Pennsylvania Technical stitute plane went agreement would used classroom instructional purposes early 1948 trade arrangedwith Johnstown Vocational Technical school cut-down J-3 Cub used rigging training Unaware agreement between Piper Williamsport Tech nical Institute Johnstown school started bring Skycycle back recovery flying status About two weeks PA-8s projected flight date paint room Johnstown Vocational Technical School exploded flames late evening con suming school searing fate Piper PA-8 Skycycle During Skycycle era seems aviation world fell love enchanting PA-8 rightly did model aviation world 1946 through 1949 seems though model airplane magazine plans model company advertising kits Skycycle Hawk Model Company Chicago pro duced solid balsa model 5-in wingspan September 1946 Air Trails featured Bernard Schoenfelds 30-in rub ber-powered PA-8 real cutie Megow Philadelphia famous Rubber Scale ships put out two Skycycle models Kit No D-17 1 size $2 Kit No J-21 504both having formed bubble canopies Skycycle Control Line models also flourished Comets Q-1 kit featured shock-absorbing landing gear de tailed Lycoming engine beautiful clear plastic canopy kit 3 1-in-span model dope cement included $395 Capitol Model Aircraft Companys PA-8 deluxe rubber wheels die-cut plywood parts complete U-Control setup liquids for$750 Therichkidupthe block Hornet OK Twin flaunted 40-in-span Skycycle kit Stewart Model Products Denver CO big 34 x 44-in plans went $1250 past few years have rumors about full-size Piper PA-8 Skycycle emerging againperhaps ranks Experimental Aircraft Association day replica airplanes being built perhaps some day soon like fabled Phoenix arose youthful freshness its own ashes will see Hanford Eckmans Phoenix traffic pattern immense EAA Convention Oshkosh 164 Model Aviation