Newbie question:ADDED PHOTOS
 

I just finished inventory on my RV-9A empennage kit. I have to say that I am disappointed. All of the ribs were not covered in the blue plastic and ALL of the ribs appear as if someone was already working on them. Pressure concavities where holes were drilled and all ribs have deep scratches on them and heavy tooling marks on them. The spars have long scratches on them as well (something tore right through the blue plastic. I can't imagine this is normal. Is this really the starting quality of these kits? Also, my elevator skins have a sizable crease in them where one of the hinge bracket goes. Its about a 4 inch long crease that creates a large depression in the sheet aluminum. What would you recommend doing? Thanks in advance.

not right
 

That does not sound right. I receieved my empennage for the 7 about a month ago, and it was flawless. Not a scratch, ding or dent anywhere. The blue plastic was clean and fully attached.

I would call up Van's and talk to them. Take some pictures right away.

A picture is worth 1K words...
 

...post some photos.

Emp
 

Same as Fresno, I received my Emp about a month ago and all was fine. call Van's asap

I'm definitely interested in following this story. Can you post a few pics so we can see what you're talking about?

My Kit
 

I received my emp kit for an 8 last week. None of the ribs had blue vinyl on them--I don't think Van's ships the ribs with vinyl on them. However, they were all carefully wrapped in paper. Everything was near perfect--I was missing one rib and received an extra of another. I emailed Van's and received the replacement rib in 5 days. I could not be happier with their service or the quality of my kit. :D

Sky
8/8A?
Emp. started

My empennage and wing kits arrived from Van's with no damage. The ribs are all press formed at the factory, so there shouldn't be any blue plastic on them. All of the ribs were tightly stacked and wrapped together as a bundle in clear plastic.
The parts that were in blue plastic did have a couple of minor scratches where the plastic was torn. When you take off the blue plastic and start working on the parts, they will inevitably get their share of scratches. Unless it is a deep gouge, I would just build on. Aluminum is pretty forgiving. You can scuff out the scratch with scotchbrite and prime. Minor bends can be rectified by hand. A sharp crease, probably not. Trust me, the elevator skins will get a lot of bending when you go to rivet on the stiffeners and spars!

Aaron -

I would have to agree that this doesn't seem right. We could have a look this week and see what we're dealing with. Most of the parts with my -7 were in good shape but not flawless. ...certainly no scratches on the spars or though! Yikes!

Give me a call. I'd love to take a look and help plan a call to Van's. They will want to know about this for sure! They have been great with everything I've ever called them about!

- Peter

PS - Take a few pics while you're at it. Van's might want to see some pics as well to try and figure out what took place.

Aaron
 

Maybe you received a 'returned emp kit' that was repackaged? Not the missing blue vinyl; because my ribs didn't have the vinyl. But the apparent wear and tear on the 'new' ribs you found.

Here are a couple of pictures of the the elevator skin...

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The above pic is a tip rib...I don't know, if this is normal stuff please let me know, otherwise I will call them tomorrow. The tip rib is typical of all the ribs I have in terms of "scratches." Thanks for the advice guys.