Kit build sequence and relative build times
 

Would I be correct in assuming the fuselage kit takes longer to build than the wings and that it can be ordered and built before the wings?

It took me about twice as long to build my fuselage as it did my wings (Empennage+wings were about 25% of my build, fuselage about 25%, Finish Kit about 25% and Engine+Avionics+Options+Finishing about 25%).

I built my RV-12 in my two car garage. I built my wings first because they were easier to store off to the side on the wing rack than it would have been to get the fuselage out of the way to build the wings.

A recent discussion on this subject......

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...d.php?t=177439

Great info, thanks Tom.

Thanks Scott, I hadn't seen that thread.

Sounds like I'll have no issue doing the fuse before wings as long as I get the appropriate wing bits early to check fit.

I'm also building in a 2 car garage, 22' x 24'. I may regret the space issue later, but I have my reasons for wanting to do the fuse first, so I'll cross that bridge when I get there. Shouldn't be too bad I don't think.

More sequence
 

Just to extend the "flow chart" a bit:

It's get a little tricky near the end of the finish kit and that's where I'm stuck at the moment. I'm pretty sure I have no choice but to order an engine (which I'll have to postpone until spring anyway because the hangar door is iced shut).

After you mount the wings temporarily to drill the two holes in the flaperon control arms, it doesn't seem like there's much else you can do.

For ex:

* You can't do the canopy because the rear window isn't in and the rear window shouldn't be done until you've got the emp installed to provided rigidity for the baggage bulkhead.

* You can't install the emp to the fuse because you'll lose easy access for installing the fuel pump etc on the aft side of the baggage bulkhead.

* You can't install avionics for somewhat the same reason.

* You can't do the cowling (part of the finishing kit)

I'm probably missing something here but I'm pretty much dead in the water, I think, until the engine is hung.

It will be interesting to hear others' feedback on this one. For example, could you get just the few bits and pieces that are holding you back, like the fuel pump?

Long lead-times on engines... order it now and have it held for shipment; if it gets ready.

I clecoed my tail cone and turtle deck onto the fuselage so I could complete my rear window and canopy so I didn?t need to wait for the avionics kit. It was extra work removing and installing twice, but for me, it deferred buying the engine and avionics kits before doing the tedious canopy and rear window tasks. I had no issues reinstalling the tail cone for the final installation. At least that was how I did my build. Others can share their process.

And when I ordered my Powerplant kit back in April, it was essentially in stock at Van?s and think I got it more quickly than any of the other kits.

Yeah, the website is showing 2-3 weeks for the RV-12 engine kit. Avionics are 3 months.

I did my canopy way before the rear window was in. I put off attaching the tailcone until after the engine was installed. Installed the avionics before the engine or tailcone attachment so I could work with the fuselage on it's side.

fyi, this is my photo log - the sequence worked well for me. YMMV ...https://photos.app.goo.gl/T5HmiGdvPPpxMFSf1 . Fuselage stuff starts late 2014.