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I also replaced the empenage on my RV4, with an 8 emp. due to the tornado at Sun&Fun. I used the 8 because I just didn't want to build another tail jig. I am very pleased with the 8 emp.
No loss in top speed. Seems more stable in cruise flight (195 to 200) and remains effective throughout the landing sequence. I also went to an electric trim, cutting a pound from the mechanical system. My tail wheel weight changed 2.3 pounds. I also like the looks of the larger tail. Great "WOW" factor. Loyd Remus and I did the mod at about the same time. We are bith very pleased. I will be at Sun&Fun, parked at the far West GA camping area. Come on by and take a look at N85007. Joel Sidell |
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Don't know what to tell you :confused: I will pass. Had to put an 18 lb weight in front of my prop on my flying rv because weight and balance issues. |
Thanks A lot guys for all the great responses!! I was looking specifically for information on the total installed weight change, and had expected it to be in the 3-6# range. After reading a bit, I think I'm going to go with the 8 tail, in spite of the somewhat heavier tail. I know that building light is usually the best thing to do, But for me, I feel like if I can keep the total weight increase on the tw to less than 8lbs, I'll be fine. She is going to be swinging a big heavy engine and prop way out front after all. I'm going to weigh my existing tail surfaces, and compare them to the 8 tail. I will give everyone here a breakdown of my findings, as well as exactly how it impacts my tw weight when I get to weighing.
Thanks again everyone for the great input and info!! |
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Has your crosswind capability improved? Are most guys buying a quick build RV-8 tail section for the job and are the RV-8 skins .020 like the newer 4's? |
Also, I've noticed the tail wag phenomenon mentioned earlier in my RV-4 and wonder if you ever experienced that in turbulent air and if that improved as well.
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I am repairing a damaged -4. I bought a -8 tail that was already built and primed.
Here are the weights of the un-installed parts. rudder - 8.2 lbs V-stab 8.8 R-elev 7.6 L-elev 7.3 (no trim tab) H-stab 18.0 (different scaled rounded to .5) I studied the differences of the two before I bought the -8 tail. The -8 V-stab is about 5.5 inches taller than the -4. The main difference in weight comes from the counter-weights -8 rudder has one, -4 does not -8 elevator tips do not extend as far forward as the -4 from the hinge line so the -8 elevator weights are a little bigger. Another interesting note. if you look at the whole series of RVs. The 3,4 and 6 do not have a rudder counter weight, the rest do. I did some research and never found a good explanation why Van went to a counter-weighted rudder after the -6. I have not heard of any flutter problems with the 4 or the 6, so I have considered removing the counter weight on -8 rudder when I install it, then it would be like a -4 and 6 tail. PS: I seem to remember a post where Smokey said he had a friend that had an -8 tail installed on a -4. Maybe he can chime in about how it flew. compared to all the stock -4s he has flown. |
Counter Weight Culture...
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I helped a friend install an 8 tail on a 4 and it worked fine. However comma, as an RV4 builder/enthusiast it wasn't aesthetically pleasing IMHO, simply too big. I feel the same way about all the post RV6 RV's. My HR2 has a stock RV4 tail installed and I believe very pleasing lines and the rudder isn't counter-weighted. Even at the highest indicated airspeed I ever encountered (250 KIAS at Sea Level) It was never an issue. My current RVX is a stock RV6 fuselage with an RV4 tail modified to fit the aft fuselage. It is the best control balance of any RV I have flown yet. My own opinions don't matter but I believe Van counter-weighted the later model RV's rudders as a liability issue. Since their VNE is posted higher than previous RV's it only makes sense that all tail surfaces being counter balanced gives them greater margins on paper. With the original RV8 prototype shedding a wing inflight with 2 fatalities, I'm sure flutter of any type is a concern, whether realistic or not. My good friend Hollywood built a counter-balanced rudder for his RV4 retaining the same size vertical fin. It required a bit of cutting and engineering but looks great and works well. Personally, I like the stock tail... V/R Smokey |
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I have an -8 tail on my Rocket and am considering going back to a -4 vertical or cutting down the existing unit. I will retain the counterbalance however. Some people have claimed no speed loss with the -8 tail, but I suspect that's at RV speeds, not Rocket speeds. I know of a Rocket that lost a good chunk of speed with the move to a -8 tail. ...and yes, the short tail looks much better. |
I guess what you guys are saying,
When it comes to tails....bigger is not better :-) |
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