Walt Mooney's Piper Vagabond

"Peanut Scale"
Rubber powered flying scale model.

[@kenkingsflyingmachines2382]

What a nice tribute to Walt Mooney. I built many of his planes published in Model Builder and marveled at the ones I didn't build. It looked like he lived a charmed life and was taken too soon. Your videos are a masterclass in meticulous building, and I really enjoy every one. I assume the little carbon fiber bit and the tiny screw were for thrust adjustment? It would be informative to see the backside of the finished noseblock. Your photo in the 90's tells me we are about the same age. There is a lot to be said for the concentration building these planes requires. Thanks for posting!

[@jiroaerop]

Thank you for writing your message. As you wrote, that is a thrust adjustment. I visited San Diego to see him in the summer of 1988. He was really kind to me. And I have continued this hobby that he loved for more than 30 years. It was the luckiest thing in my life.

[@p51amustang]

Technique, technique and more technique

[@mk6595]

Amazing craftsmanship. And such a great landing.

[@jiroaerop]

Thank you so much.

[@pcj3405]

Beautiful!

[@Glicksman1]

The first thing I noticed about this excellently designed light model is the very spare, but strong airframe. Keeping wing-lading down is crucial for all flying models, an no less so for Peanut Scale or any small flying model airplane. Guillows kit builders, take notice. This is what the airframe of a a well-designed flying model ought to look like. If you see a lot of balsa in the structure, the kit is way too heavy, and unnecessarily so. Some kits, such as Dumas', already take much of this into consideration, although even some further lightening might be well-considered.

[@jiroaerop]

Thank you for your comment. The kit also needs elements to enjoy the process of model building, so I feel that too much simplification has been avoided. However, if the airframe is light and has the minimum necessary strength, I think that good results in flight performance will always be obtained.

[@sericono9077]

Superb! probably the best balsa and tissue model I have seen, and flies like a dream. Sincere congratulations and thanks for sharing the video.

[@jiroaerop]

Thank you so much for the kind words.

[@f4udhorn]

Wonderful, Jiro! Old Walt would've been proud! Your stuff just amazes me!

[@jiroaerop]

Thank you so much for the kind words. Walt was very kind and I am grateful that I was able to continue building Peanuts under his influence.

[@sablatnic8030]

The cutest Piper! Thanks for the upload!

[@johnmajane3731]

Wow, what a great build and great flying plane.

[@jiroaerop]

Thank you so much.

[@aviathor]

Magnificent job, congratulations Jiro and many thanks for the inspiration

[@jiroaerop]

Thank you so much Claudio, appreciated as always.

[@ioannisbatas1614]

Superb !!!

[@joshuawfinn]

Wonderfully done and a fitting tribute to Professor Peanut. Such a wonderful flying model too.

[@jiroaerop]

Thank you so much Joshua.

[@hekikuu]

Incredible skills, so light and so nicely finished. Much respect for all the details!

[@jiroaerop]

Thank you so much for the kind words. All is appreciated.

[@xpelekis]

Masterpiece and flies fantastic.

[@p51amustang]

Beautiful.

[@collinmccallum]

amazing!

[@aviathor]

Model with meaning I guess…

[@BHARGAV_GAJJAR]

When the rubber band breaks can you replace it from propeller side ?

[@jiroaerop]

Of course. The nose block can be removed.