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09-03-2007, 05:28 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Fayetteville,AR
Posts: 27
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the 12 does look promising. i will have to look into it a little more. if only the -3 and -4 had pre drilled holes. this may take quite a bit of thought. 
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09-03-2007, 07:47 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 211
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Jordan17
the 12 does look promising. i will have to look into it a little more. if only the -3 and -4 had pre drilled holes. this may take quite a bit of thought. 
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I do think there are people that would be interested in building the -4 if it had the match drilled holes, but not nearly enough people to justify the engineering expense. Van has said many times that it will probably never happen, just simply because the demand isn't there. But it's nice to know that we have the -7/8/9/10/and soon to be 12 that are all matched hole, and with the -12 being smallest with pulled rivets, probably the quickest to build.
But yeah, I'd be looking at a -4 pretty seriously too, if it came match-hole drilled. Perhaps a hobby for someday...
__________________
Wheeler Express Builder
Waiting on the -12
CFII/MEI
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09-04-2007, 12:52 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: MKE
Posts: 1,519
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Jordan17
if only the -3 and -4 had pre drilled holes. this may take quite a bit of thought. 
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Don't psych yourself out. Literally thousands of 3s, 4s and 6s were built in the stone ages before matched-hole construction. It is entirely doable. Heck it'll even win you bragging rights with your neighbor!
__________________
Jeff Point
RV-6, RLU-1 built & flying
Tech Counselor, Flight Advisor & President, EAA Chapter 18
Milwaukee
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09-04-2007, 02:05 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Fayetteville,AR
Posts: 27
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hahaha, you do have a point. an 18 year old showing up a 53 year old. i like the sound of that.  over a long nights thought, i think i will build the -3. I have not seen a ton of people flying them. correct me if i am wrong but i think there have been 238 built. i think i will try to keep the numbers growing. and for what i am using it for, it should serve me well. can the -3 be flown with the canopy locked in the open position?
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09-09-2007, 11:17 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Bartow, Florida
Posts: 204
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notes from a -3 driver
My dad and I built our -3 20 years ago, and there was nosuch thing as pre-drilled holes. I am now building a -4, and there still no pre-drilled holes, and I wouldn't have it any other way.  It is not hard to mark and drill all of the required holes, and it gives you a better feeling of a job well done. As for flying with the canopy open, I wouldn't. Van says that you can, but with the range of speed that a -3 has, you could risk losing your canopy.  We had a S**** playboy many years ago, and we did fly that with the canopy open, but you had to hold it open with a stick because the vacuum created from the airflow would try to close it. I have also seen on the Vans Airforce web site of a -3 that was made into an open cockpit. Somehow 200mph in an open cockpit seems alittle breezy.  As for flying, I totally love the way my -3 flys! I can loiter around at 80 mph, or zip along at 180mph. Both the -3 and the -4 handle the same, airspeeds are very close, so the real question comes down to what kind of $$$$ are you willing to spend?, and do you plan on taking friends along for the experience? Either way, both are excellent airplanes to both build and fly.
Mike Bauer
RV-3 flying N87LB
RV-4 building N742MC
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09-09-2007, 03:32 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Walnut Creek CA
Posts: 513
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I was having the same debate about a year ago before I started my 3. In the end it was a gut feeling and the looks that pushed me towards the 3. I wouldnt let the non pre-drilled holes scare you away. It will take longer and you will make mistakes, but it really isnt as hard as people make it sound. If you can build an RC then you can build one of these planes. Its really a toss up between the cool factor of the 3 and the practicality of the 4. The 3 is not really any cheaper than the 4 becuase the engine, instruments, and paint cost the same. You MIGHT save 5K building the 3, but you will lose 3 times that in the resale. Good luck with either plane.
__________________
Rob Holmes
www.myrv3.com
N59LG
The minimum number of planes one should own is one. The correct number is n+1, where n is the number of planes currently owned. This equation may also be re-written as s-1, where s is the number of planes owned that would result in separation from your partner.
- Veluminati
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09-09-2007, 08:19 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 163
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Price Difference
Jordan,
Considering the price difference between the two and the amount of time it will take to construct, it may be better to pick the aircraft you want, and cut back on something like cable TV, cell phone features, etc. Over time, these add up.
It took me a very long time to decide between a 7 and a 9, but I used that time to prepare my shop, buy tools, and save money for the kit. In addition, I took the Sport Air Workshop as Dan mentioned. It's worth it's weight in...well...aluminum.
Just yesterday I was thanking the maker (Van's), for pre-drilled holes in my RV-9A Vertical Stabilizer for the speed of assembly. But the Sport Air Workshop also showed me that making a line of holes is also a relatively easy process, it just takes more time and care.
But the most important thing I learned was the joy of building. I am really enjoying this process *much* more than than I thought I would.
So, take your time, pick the right aircraft for you, get your finances in order, then say what I said while ordering my empennage..."Why the heck did I wait so long."
John Edwards
RV-9A Empennage
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09-16-2007, 07:34 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Benton, Kansas
Posts: 259
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Jordan,
From a guy who went through a decision change about four times, on which RV to build, see if this helps. I now own preview plans, for a -3, -4, -7, and -8...  I have this many, because each sounded like it was what I wanted to buld, at some point. However, when figuring, cost vs build time, and ultimately, operational costs over time, i had narrowed it down to the same -3 vs. -4 decision that you have. DO NOT let the lack of match drilled holes affect your decision on an RV. It's not tough, and I am SURE your neighbor can help you. The 4 is NOT much more expensive, and that second seat will sure be nice to take a buddy along, to show off your handiwork. That being said, I am on my way out to the shop now to work on my -4 emp. kit. I hope to finish it soon. I am 26, but have been saving for an RV kit since I was 17. Best of luck to you!
Gregg
RV-4 emp.
drill, deburr, rivet... drill deburr, rivet.....
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10-15-2007, 09:49 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: monterey ,ca
Posts: 105
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rv-4 empenage
i agree i owned also preview plans for 4,7,8,9,but i heard from my friend and instructor go with what you like not what do you think is easy to build all planes takes a years from start to finish, than i did my decision im building rv-3 its plane i can afford without takeing a loan and i enjoy build it, its not hard measure and drill couple holes sometimes its better ,you have more space to play with ,even im married my plane is not done yet and if i want take my wife for ride i go and rent a plane for 2 or 3 hours rv-3 is just my plane i loved since i saw first time
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