New RV-4 Build; Ancient but Gotta Be Done.

[xti]

The boat is done and shipped to Alaska. But sold another for a June delivery and hopefully my crew will allow time for me to dig into this rv4.

Does anyone have rv4 parts laying around?
Not sure what all I need yet, but..
2ea A-403PP-L (Spar)
16ea A-710 skin stiffeners
basically all the aileron pieces, except the skins, I have those.

If not, is the best way to buy individual part #'rs from Vans?

[Sam Buchanan]

A little poking around produced the following link for Travis's company:

https://www.xtaeroboats.com/home.html

I suspect he is going to build one fine RV-4!

[xti]

Originally Posted by Michael Henning

Hi Travis,
I built my -4, and if I had to do it over again, I would use RV-6 fuel tanks. The cg, and extra weight won't be an issue, as you can adjust your fuel load based on your mission requirements. Get to building, it is an incredible machine.
My mods are-
Moved roll bar back two inches (6'2", 245 pounds, and I fit perfectly)
Removed an inch from bottom of instrument panel
Two RV-10 vents installed
Todds canopy
Wing tip lockers as shown in RVator

Thanks for the info Micheal, this is probably the scenario I'll try to do... is there a way to convert my -4 tanks to the -6 tanks? what is the difference between? Since my -4 kit is the slow build kind I have loose skins and haven't installed the caps or fastened anything permanently yet it seems like the only option of extra gallons is to extend the tank outboard? is this correct?

[Billvt]

I purchased my RV-4 project from an estate sale.
Builder deceased so can't ask questions.

What might the 2" hole in the firewall pictures below be used for???

http://i.imgur.com/wkPEwWi.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/4lmE8Nl.jpg?2

[az_gila]

Originally Posted by Billvt

I purchased my RV-4 project from an estate sale.
Builder deceased so can't ask questions.

What might the 2" hole in the firewall pictures below be used for???

http://i.imgur.com/wkPEwWi.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/4lmE8Nl.jpg?2

Only firewall item that really makes sense would be a heater selector/bypass box -

http://www.vansaircraft.com/cgi-bin/...t-selector-box

But would it be that low on a RV-4 firewall?

[Michael Henning]

Hi Travis,
Steve Arnold mentioned that with the Phlogiston Spar(which is what I have), you can't modify to the -6 tanks because of the mounting flange. Wouldn't worry about the extra gas. I make it from NH to NC on a tank of fuel, and am ready to stretch by then anyways.
I believe skin stiffeners for the ailerons are fabricated from 3/4"x3/4" x .032 aluminum strips. That's just going from memory, so I could be wrong. I wish I lived close by, I miss building (except for fiberglass).

[SJordan]

Originally Posted by Billvt

I purchased my RV-4 project from an estate sale.
Builder deceased so can't ask questions.

What might the 2" hole in the firewall pictures below be used for???

http://i.imgur.com/wkPEwWi.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/4lmE8Nl.jpg?2

I'm just working Firewall forward on my -4 and all I can think is the heater door like Gil said. Though yours appears to be to low to use as the lower engine mount tube is in the way. Maybe you can build a stainless patch and run your fuel line there.

[az_gila]

Originally Posted by Michael Henning

Hi Travis,
....
I believe skin stiffeners for the ailerons are fabricated from 3/4"x3/4" x .032 aluminum strips. That's just going from memory, so I could be wrong. I wish I lived close by, I miss building (except for fiberglass).

Yes, but not quite as hefty.

They are 5/8 x 5/8 x 0.025 angles simply bent from flat sheet.

Apparently changed (at least for the -6 models) in 1994 from 0.016 thickness

[Steve Barnes]

I forget exactly how I did it. I remember partially deconstructing the Phlogiston spar (drilling out the big rivets adding an additional flange and reriveting) Also added some little square blocks between upper and lower spar laminations. Got the info from John Harmon.

Steve