Assistance needed on wing/emp pre-buy.

I'm trying to arrange a look at a completed empenage and 90% completed wings for a -8 soon. I'm an A&P and know what good sheetmetal work looks like. I have the RV-8 prebuild book. The wing and empenage kits are probably 5+ years old. They are in east Texas.

Please chime in on specifics of details to check for such as dimensional checks, appropriate corrosion protection or anything.

Should I get Jay Pratt or another experienced builder to go with me?

TIA
Jack
214-683-5428

Pre Buy?

Jack,

At some point in time? Vans did a mach hole re-do on the wing on the 8.
The newer ones are a no brainer to build, the older ones can be messed up.
Unless you are sure the ones you are getting are straight, give them a pass. Saving 2K? or $2 or what ever? is not much in the scheme of things.

Order a new kit.
Order A QB, and get on with it. You will be flying sooner.
A Radio is optional but the 180 hp & Hartzel is the best thing you can do to make your RV the most fun airplane.