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-   -   Life after Tip-over / RV-7 rebuild (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=48453)

David-aviator 09-25-2009 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rene Bubberman (Post 361897)
Dear RVators,

Last august RV-7A PH-RVP fell victim to a tip-over accident in Hoganas, Sweden. Its builder decided not to fly anymore and did not reclaim the wreck. My fellow owners of the PH-VII and me made an offer to the insurance company and are no the new owners of the wreck, which we picked up in Sweden and brought it back to Holland last weekend. After thinking over some possible scenario's (stripping the wreck, selling the components, using the engine for a new RV-8 project) we decided to rebuild/restore the plane again. As far as we can see now the emp is 80% destroyed, the wing has one tip plus the last rib gone, the canopy (slider) is completely smashed but the fuselage has "only" damaged top skins AND the left upper longeron is damaged at the attachment point for the rollbar.
I think we will have loads of questions during the project, which I hope you want to help us with. Maybe people which have had this incident are willing to share their experiences with us?
For starters: we plan on selling the plane when it flies again. Is it wise, in this context, to convert it to a taildragger?

Please give us all your advise, tips etcetera!

All the best, kind regards,

Rene,

My machine was flipped in 2003 and rebuilt in about 6 months.

The wings are original, the rest was purchased new from VAn's. I wouldn't try to rebuild the fuselage or tail. Most of the internal stuff can be used again.

Airplane has been flying since 2004 now on 3rd engine.

MrNomad 09-25-2009 08:51 AM

Reuse old parts
 
Rene:

After I bent the nose gear on my 9A, I contracted a company who magnafluxed and used dye penetrant to inspect everything worth saving.

Barry

M Wreford 10-12-2009 01:23 AM

A mate of mine is in the process of rebuilding a 7a tipover and has replaced a huge amount of sheetmetal ,it may have been easier to get a QB fuse but it comes down to time and he's a very experienced builder. I'll be painting it in a few weeks so it'll be good to see how it came together. The biggest thing to come out it for me is my 6A will now be built as a Taildragger ,I don't want to start an whole new thread but the thought of putting years in to the plane only to have to do it again ,or worse,just walk away from all that work means for me I'll do the training and learn to fly it with out the training wheel, Hope to see some pics when it's done
cheers Mat

lufthans.nl 10-12-2009 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M Wreford (Post 366820)
A mate of mine is in the process of rebuilding a 7a tipover and has replaced a huge amount of sheetmetal ,it may have been easier to get a QB fuse but it comes down to time and he's a very experienced builder. [...]
cheers Mat

Either that, or buy a slow build fuse and tail kit and combine this with the wreck. It will most likely still be worth it. After all, 50% of the work and 80% of the cost is in the finishing anyway.

I didn't know the RVP had flipped. Sorry to hear that, from the photos that I have seen, it was a very good looking plane.

Enjoy the rebuild!!!

Hans

P.S. If all goes well, we'll have our container, containing the RV4 arrive at Lelystad next week, where it will stay a couple of weeks for re-assembly, some mods to the instrument panel and certification, before leaving to Germany. Drop me a PM if I can interest you (or one of your partners in crime) in a cup of coffee there!


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