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View Poll Results: Got or building a fastback? Which one?
Showplanes 16 47.06%
Tom Clark 2 5.88%
Other (specify) 4 11.76%
I would if Vans made one 12 35.29%
Voters: 34. You may not vote on this poll

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  #1  
Old 08-16-2008, 10:31 PM
AntiGravity's Avatar
AntiGravity AntiGravity is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Hamilton, New Zealand
Posts: 632
Question RV-8 fastback

As I work slowly but surely on re-modelling the stock Vans canopy frame for the Tom Clark fastback, I wondering how many -8(A)'s were out there that have been fastbacked and what sort; or how many people wanted or want a fastback if there was a stock Vans offering...?

So what's the deal..?

1. Showplanes fastback?
2. Tom Clark fastback
3. Other (specify in your post)
4. I would if Vans made one as a stock option.
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  #2  
Old 08-16-2008, 10:34 PM
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I'm probably gonna do my -4 project with a Harmon Rocket type fastback... but keeping the 4-cylinder.... we'll see. I have to build the wings first.
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  #3  
Old 08-17-2008, 02:08 AM
RBR RBR is offline
 
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Location: Brisbane, Australia
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Default

Showplanes; unless Van's produced an option over the course of my build.
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  #4  
Old 08-17-2008, 03:06 AM
Andy_RR Andy_RR is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 427
Default

Pardon my thread drift, but what's the attraction of a fastback? Is it purely aesthetic? Are you getting a few more knots, or is it something else? (passenger headroom perhaps?)

Just curious

A

RV-8 (extremely slow-back)
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  #5  
Old 08-17-2008, 05:10 AM
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pierre smith pierre smith is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Louisville, Ga
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Default Speed.....

......and looks, Andy. There's some turbulence behind the rear of the stock canopy. If you'll observe, all the -6's, -7's and -9's are in reality, fastbacks, with the reflex, or pressure recovery, built in, just like the newer wheel farings.

Regards,
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  #6  
Old 08-17-2008, 05:24 PM
leonc leonc is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: grand prairie tx
Posts: 31
Default i like fastback looks

while i am thinking of building the 3 the question is relevant, when you make your fastback do you make new bulkheads or just attach to what van's give you. just dreaming but the first choice would be van's. then i guess if i do it it will be roll my own.
leon
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  #7  
Old 08-17-2008, 08:13 PM
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osxuser osxuser is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by leonc View Post
while i am thinking of building the 3 the question is relevant, when you make your fastback do you make new bulkheads or just attach to what van's give you. just dreaming but the first choice would be van's. then i guess if i do it it will be roll my own.
leon
If I was doing it on an initial build, I'd make my own former rings and bulkheads, and stretch the skin over both. If I was retrofitting it, I'd make it out of foam/s-glass and ... nah I'd just leave it like it was....
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  #8  
Old 08-17-2008, 10:52 PM
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AntiGravity AntiGravity is offline
 
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Location: Hamilton, New Zealand
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Thumbs up Wow!

There's actually someone else building a Tom Clark fastback!! The TC fastback consists of just reeplacement bulkhead uppers; everything else, including cutting and drilling the replacement skin, making or modifying a canopy frame, and bending the canopy track are all done by the builder 'as needed'; no easy task compared to the now expected fully matched hole pre-punched era of airplane building. Kinda gives you a taster of how the -3, -4 and -6 guys did things!

I did the fb mod partly for looks, nothing to do with speed at all, but also because I wanted something a little different. The main reason though was that the NZ regs want the ELT aerial vertically mounted and since I don't want it on the bottom and the standard -8 canopy extends all the way to the vert stab, I was left with a small problem. The TC fb solves that since it stops several inches short of the vert stab and still retains the sliding canopy I wanted (I'm not overly keen on the tip-over).

Would I do it again. Er, honestly, no! I'd probably go showplanes next time around (yep, with the tip-over), if anything at all. That is, if I don't build the helicopter I have my eyes on next
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  #9  
Old 08-18-2008, 06:45 AM
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Bob Ellis Bob Ellis is offline
 
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Location: Pembrokeshire, UK
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Tell me one thing guys who have, or are thinking of, a fastback canopy - how do you get out if she flips?

Bob Ellis
www.rv-8.co.uk
Wings nearly complete
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  #10  
Old 08-18-2008, 07:37 AM
CE196 CE196 is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Lakeland, Fl.
Posts: 44
Default Fast Back mod

Bob,

You bring up a question I have pondered since I started building! How to get out if upside down. I am building a Show Planes Fast Back, which includes the optional roll bar welded to the front seat WD 808. No windshield roll bar with this mod.

I have seen posts here, where people think they can hammer there way out of the canopy, but I don't think that will work well in a short period of time. Kick it out, mabey, again not sure how well that would work, especially if injured. On the plus side, if upside down, the canopy will be resting on the roll bar, which would have already broken the plexi. Now if you could remove enough plexiglass, could you sleather under and out???

Of the 6 (one was a Cessna Caravan, several others tailwheels) times I landed with an engine out or in the state of destroying itself, I have always been able to eather put it on an airport, or highway, thus keeping the aircraft upright.

I have thought about making an emergency release for the right side of the canopy like the Extra 300 has. This MIGHT help in pushing the canopy back, not sure though.

Wees takes our chances!
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