Parker Teenie Two

Parker Teenie Two: The Ultimate “Sheet Metal” Rebel

The Teenie Two is not just a homebuilt aircraft; it is a rebellion against the myth that all-metal airplanes are difficult or expensive to build. Designed by Calvin Parker in the 1960s, this legendary “Volkswagen of the skies” proves that you don’t need a factory or a team of aeronautical engineers to build a durable, sporty, and fast machine. Its genius lies in its simplicity: it is built almost entirely from flat sheets of aluminum and held together with simple pop rivets. It represents the absolute shortest path to owning your own “mini-fighter.”

Why Is It a Legend?

The Pop-Rivet Revolution: Unlike traditional metal aircraft that require pneumatic rivet guns and a partner to “buck” rivets, the Teenie Two was designed for the solo builder. It uses standard pulled (pop) rivets and simple 6061-T6 aluminum sheets. If you can use a hand drill and a rivet squeezer, you can build the airframe.

The Volkswagen Connection: The Teenie Two was designed specifically around the air-cooled VW Beetle engine. By converting a car engine, builders bypassed the massive costs of “certified” aero engines like Lycomings or Continentals. It turned the world’s most common car engine into a reliable, low-cost flight powerplant.

Garage-Friendly Engineering: Calvin Parker designed the wings to be easily removable. This means the Teenie Two doesn’t need a $500-a-month hangar; it can be stored in a standard single-car garage and towed to the airport on a small trailer.

A “Poor Man’s Fighter”: Despite its tiny size, the Teenie Two is a “pilot’s airplane.” It features a center-mounted stick, a bubble canopy, and incredibly responsive all-metal control surfaces. It doesn’t fly like a sluggish ultralight; it flies like a nimble, zippy sport plane.

Performance and Key Numbers

The Teenie Two is built for efficiency and “seat-of-the-pants” fun. Its all-metal construction makes it much faster and more rugged than foam-and-fabric alternatives.

General Specifications:

• Crew: 1 pilot

• Wingspan: 18 ft (5.5 m)

• Length: 12 ft 10 in (3.9 m)

• Wing Area: 75 sq ft (7.0 m²)

• Empty Weight: Approx. 310 lbs (140 kg)

• Max Takeoff Weight: 590 lbs (267 kg)

• Useful Load: Approx. 280 lbs (127 kg)

• Engine: 1600cc to 2180cc VW Conversion (approx. 40–60 hp)

Performance:

• Top Speed: 120 mph (193 km/h)

• Cruise Speed: 110 mph (177 km/h)

• Stall Speed: 45 – 50 mph (72 – 80 km/h)

• Rate of Climb: 800 – 1,000 ft/min (Outstanding for its power)

• Takeoff Distance: 400 ft (122 m)

• Fuel Consumption: 2.5 – 3.5 gallons per hour (9 – 13 L/h)

• Range: Approx. 400 miles (640 km)

In short, the Parker Teenie Two is the perfect choice for the builder who wants a “real” airplane without the “real” airplane price tag. It is the ultimate proof that with a stack of aluminum sheets, a box of rivets, and a classic VW engine, anyone can become a fighter pilot in their own backyard.