Actually really almost nearly ready to start! RV-8 build!

Actually really almost nearly ready to start! RV-8 build!

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LimaDelta

Original Poster:

6,520 posts

218 months

Thursday 29th January 2015
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So for a while now I have been trying to start building an RV8. A few little things have got in the way, like the birth of two children, one nightmare house move, and a change of job. I have been planning it in my head for years now, but this week it has finally started for real.









There is still a lot more work to do in the shed, but I have a great little helper





Once the new work area is ready, I can actually start the build! I know there are a couple on here who have built or assisted building Vans aircraft, and I reckon I'll be spending a lot more time on VAF but I'll try to keep a regular update on this thread. This is a long project though, realistically I expect 7 years until it is flying. I'm trying to update progress on Twitter too (@_ninjaneering_ ) if anyone is interested, the first build to do this I think (ready to be corrected though).

Anyway, wish me luck!

s111dpc

1,344 posts

229 months

Thursday 29th January 2015
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Good luck!

perdu

4,884 posts

199 months

Thursday 29th January 2015
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Yes, good luck

ccr32

1,970 posts

218 months

Friday 30th January 2015
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Nice!! You have actual aircraft bits in your possession so it must be real, and a place in which they can all live - very jealous! (plus a helper!)

Please do keep us posted on here on its progress smile

ccr32

1,970 posts

218 months

Friday 30th January 2015
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Sorry, i've just got to ask (and apologise if I'm late to the party here), but will said aircraft house require removal of a wall or something else structural in order to get it out once completed?

If so, extra PH points are deserved I think biggrin

AER

1,142 posts

270 months

Friday 30th January 2015
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Well chosen!

Good luck with the build. Please post pics as it might inspire me to continue my build.

Jamesgt

848 posts

233 months

Friday 30th January 2015
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Good luck. My friend built one of these. I remember the first boxes turning up. Big job on! Lovely aircraft

Dr Jekyll

23,820 posts

261 months

Friday 30th January 2015
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Roughly how many hours work are you anticipating?

LimaDelta

Original Poster:

6,520 posts

218 months

Friday 30th January 2015
quotequote all
ccr32 said:
Sorry, i've just got to ask (and apologise if I'm late to the party here), but will said aircraft house require removal of a wall or something else structural in order to get it out once completed?

If so, extra PH points are deserved I think biggrin
I have a car-width access to the workshop at the bottom of the garden, but final assembly will have to take place at an airfield. That's a long way off though...

Wings and fuselage are constructed as two separate elements until pretty much the end of the build.

LimaDelta

Original Poster:

6,520 posts

218 months

Friday 30th January 2015
quotequote all
Dr Jekyll said:
Roughly how many hours work are you anticipating?
While I'm home I'll be doing an hour or so each night once the kids are in bed, and try to get a full-ish day in once a week. Total hours - who knows? Factory estimates 3000 ish but it really depends on the builder/workshop facilities/budget/etc.

jamieduff1981

8,025 posts

140 months

Friday 30th January 2015
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Great stuff. Which engine and propeller are you going for, and have you given much thought to the instruments & avionics fit yet? smile Also, are you building a proper tail dragger 8 as opposed to an 8A? I love tail draggers personally smile

I need to continue with my KR2 build. A recent house move means I'm out of excuses now.

Edited by jamieduff1981 on Friday 30th January 12:08

scrwright

2,616 posts

190 months

Friday 30th January 2015
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Nice, living my dream! I will have to make do with 1/6th version for now frown

LimaDelta

Original Poster:

6,520 posts

218 months

Friday 30th January 2015
quotequote all
jamieduff1981 said:
Great stuff. Which engine and propeller are you going for, and have you given much thought to the instruments & avionics fit yet? smile Also, are you building a proper tail dragger 8 as opposed to an 8A? I love tail draggers personally smile

I need to continue with my KR2 build. A recent house move means I'm out of excuses now.

Edited by jamieduff1981 on Friday 30th January 12:08
Going for the 180hp option - as it seems the most popular. Fixed pitch prop for cost, taildragger for looks ( tongue out ). Instruments a mix of steam and electronic. Trying to keep it simple, I've seen some kitted out like the latest offering from Airbus. The market seems to be moving so fast with regards to EFIS/EMS options, so I guess I'll make a decision closer to the time. At the moment the only decision I have had to make was manual vs electric trim (I went electric).

I'm also going for full lighting as things seem to be moving in the direction of night legal permit aircraft, so by the time it is complete it will be nice to have that capability.

How far along is the KR2?

Crush

15,077 posts

169 months

Friday 30th January 2015
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Very nice! Good luck with the build and looking forward to the progress pics.

Funnily enough I was reading up on Vans yesterday and came across this website

http://www.go-7.co.uk/

No licence yet but starting NPPL this year, so I can dream laugh

Dr Jekyll

23,820 posts

261 months

Friday 30th January 2015
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I keep being tempted, then remember what my Airfix kit builds end up looking like. frown

dr_gn

16,160 posts

184 months

Friday 30th January 2015
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Great! Good luck with it.

Moose.

5,339 posts

241 months

Monday 2nd February 2015
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Awesome! One day I will build one of these when I have somewhere to build it. Will follow with interest smile

RemaL

24,973 posts

234 months

Friday 6th February 2015
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Moose. said:
Awesome! One day I will build one of these when I have somewhere to build it. Will follow with interest smile
If your really interested Matt it might be worth a chat with me and Paul when your back over the UK and find out a place you could build one in. But you would also need the time as well as space.

great project and even though I'm no pilot it looks a great thing to spend your time on

maser_spyder

6,356 posts

182 months

Saturday 7th February 2015
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Great stuff. I do love a bonkers project like this!

mrloudly

2,815 posts

235 months

Saturday 7th February 2015
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maser_spyder said:
Great stuff. I do love a bonkers project like this!
It's not "bonkers" hundreds have been built wink

A lot less messy than my first effort G-BVUV ;-)