VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

- POSTING RULES
- Donate yearly (please).
- Advertise in here!

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics


Go Back   VAF Forums > Model Specific > RV-8/8A
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #21  
Old 10-25-2011, 08:28 PM
Louise Hose's Avatar
Louise Hose Louise Hose is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton, Nevada --- A34
Posts: 1,464
Default I see what DanH means, but....

Quote:
Originally Posted by DanH View Post
The height of the fastback mod is indeed near identical to the height of the stock fastback on the 6 and 7. Of course the 8 is far more narrow. Here's the eyeline view over my shoulder....



....which unlike a 6/7 is the same to either side.
I see that you're right in the -8. I had been thinking about what it would do in the -3, where the pilot's head is immediately against the opaque back (as the passenger's head is in the -8). I, personally, wouldn't like that situation as either the pilot of a -3 or passenger in the -8 nearly as well.
__________________
Louise Hose, Editor of The Homebuilder's Portal by KITPLANES
RV3B, NX13PL "Tsamsiyu" co-builder, TMXIO-320, test platform Legacy G3X/TruTrak avionics suite
RV-6 ?Mikey? (purchased flying) ? Garmin test platform (G3X Touch, GS28 autopilot servos, GTN650 GPS/Nav/Comm,
GNC255 Nav/Com, GA240 audio panel)
RV8, N188PD "Valkyrie" (by marriage)
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 10-26-2011, 07:57 AM
F1Boss's Avatar
F1Boss F1Boss is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Taylor Texas
Posts: 811
Default Option 2

Quote:
Originally Posted by Louise Hose View Post
I see that you're right in the -8. I had been thinking about what it would do in the -3, where the pilot's head is immediately against the opaque back (as the passenger's head is in the -8). I, personally, wouldn't like that situation as either the pilot of a -3 or passenger in the -8 nearly as well.
Geez Louise

How 'bout a lil' maneuvering to see what's behind/below etc? Kick the tail over a bit if nothing else. These are kinda maneuverable ships, ya know...

Carry on!
Mark
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 10-26-2011, 09:30 AM
mkjprice's Avatar
mkjprice mkjprice is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Nephi, UT
Posts: 79
Default Count Me In!

I plan on doing the showplanes conversion when I start my 8 in the spring. It will make it so the plane can be flown more often in the winter, as there will be less draft. I also like the fact that there is not a front crossbar about forehead height (for me) in front of the pilot. I have used the tilt up like this in the Pitts and it works nicely. Also emergency egress has been proved with this design already, as it tends to come off when opened for emergency in flight. If you are jumping out of the plane, you are not going to be too worried about messing up your empennage.

Is the rear visibility hampered. Absolutely, but it is still way better than a Mooney, Piper, Beechcraft, and Many Cessnas. Not to mention Cirrus, Lancair, and many other planes. As already mentioned, listen to position reports, and move yourself a little to clear and check you area. That is one of the first things I learned when I started to fly.

There is my 2 cents!
__________________
Mike Price

CFII/Multi Commercial
I'm gonna build me an RV one day soon

"The older I get -- the more I realize that sense is not common."
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 10-26-2011, 03:02 PM
Tom Martin Tom Martin is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,544
Default

I think that the rear visibility issue is a total non issue. I very much doubt that if your shoulder harnesses are done up correctly that you could actually swivel your head 180 degrees; at least my head does not do that. As Mark Fredrick stated you can kick the tail a bit if you need to see directly aft. I have to admit that I have not been passed that often...
In looking at the show planes pictures it just does not seem that the line of the canopy and aft fuselage deck is correct. Either the bubble is too high or the turtle deck needs to be a bit higher. This is just personal preference but I never cared for the lines of the standard RV8 bubble and this modification just did not go far enough. Check out pictures of F1s and HRIIs to see what I mean, it really does make a difference.
__________________
Tom Martin RV1 pilot 4.6hours!
CPL & IFR rated
EVO F1 Rocket 1000 hours,
2010 SARL Rocket 100 race, average speed of 238.6 knots/274.6mph
RV4, RV7, RV10, two HRIIs and five F1 Rockets
RV14 Tail dragger

Fairlea Field
St.Thomas, Ontario Canada, CYQS
fairleafield@gmail.com
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 10-29-2011, 05:25 PM
Roo747's Avatar
Roo747 Roo747 is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Flesherton, ON
Posts: 33
Default

I think if you use a todd's canopy for the f1 or harmon rocket in conjunction with the showplanes kit you'll get the appropriate rake on the canopy blending in with the fastback.
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 10-29-2011, 05:53 PM
Mark12A's Avatar
Mark12A Mark12A is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 89
Default Rearview Visibility

As far as rearward visibility goes, I've seen mirrors, shaped a little like parentheses, on the canopy bows of tactical aircraft. I seem to recall seeing a picture of an RV-8 that had at least one of them. I mean, when I fly a C-172 I use a little handheld mirror to see the aft control surfaces move during my runup. Anyone have any thought, or maybe sources, for mirrors like this?
__________________
Jay Staub
Lt. Col., USAF, Ret.
N6565S Reserved
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 10-29-2011, 07:25 PM
Ironflight's Avatar
Ironflight Ironflight is offline
VAF Moderator / Line Boy
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dayton, NV
Posts: 12,256
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark12A View Post
As far as rearward visibility goes, I've seen mirrors, shaped a little like parentheses, on the canopy bows of tactical aircraft. I seem to recall seeing a picture of an RV-8 that had at least one of them. I mean, when I fly a C-172 I use a little handheld mirror to see the aft control surfaces move during my runup. Anyone have any thought, or maybe sources, for mirrors like this?
Do a forum search for "mirrors", and I bet you'll get lots of information - these are discussed fairly frequently....
__________________
Paul F. Dye
Editor at Large - KITPLANES Magazine
RV-8 - N188PD - "Valkyrie"
RV-6 (By Marriage) - N164MS - "Mikey"
RV-3B - N13PL - "Tsamsiyu"
A&P, EAA Tech Counselor/Flight Advisor
Dayton Valley Airpark (A34)
http://Ironflight.com
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 10-30-2011, 03:22 AM
Mark12A's Avatar
Mark12A Mark12A is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 89
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ironflight View Post
Do a forum search for "mirrors", and I bet you'll get lots of information - these are discussed fairly frequently....
Thanks; the mirrors I remember seeing are on Don's RV-8 "Smoky". We couldn't put them on F-16s, but it wasn't a big deal. Simple solutions like Auto Zone or the local motorcycle shop are often the best...
__________________
Jay Staub
Lt. Col., USAF, Ret.
N6565S Reserved
Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 11-18-2011, 04:37 AM
Doug Lewis's Avatar
Doug Lewis Doug Lewis is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: MN
Posts: 184
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Martin View Post
...In looking at the show planes pictures it just does not seem that the line of the canopy and aft fuselage deck is correct. Either the bubble is too high or the turtle deck needs to be a bit higher. This is just personal preference but I never cared for the lines of the standard RV8 bubble and this modification just did not go far enough. Check out pictures of F1s and HRIIs to see what I mean, it really does make a difference.
I agree. It would be nice if the turtle deck was just a bit higher to smooth out the top line. If you could get the smooth lines of the Tom Clark fastback in a showplanes tip over I'd be all over it. (I hope Deene doesn't mind me linking his picture) http://i48.tinypic.com/5d89u.jpg
__________________
Loves to fly
Reply With Quote
  #30  
Old 11-18-2011, 08:24 AM
Toobuilder's Avatar
Toobuilder Toobuilder is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Mojave
Posts: 4,652
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Martin View Post
I think that the rear visibility issue is a total non issue...
...In looking at the show planes pictures it just does not seem that the line of the canopy and aft fuselage deck is correct. Either the bubble is too high or the turtle deck needs to be a bit higher. This is just personal preference but I never cared for the lines of the standard RV8 bubble and this modification just did not go far enough. Check out pictures of F1s and HRIIs to see what I mean, it really does make a difference.
Agree on all counts.

A friend of mine has this drop dead sexy F1:



This configuration has to be the most ?limited? in visibility of any fastback configuration (windscreen bow, high turtledeck) and it is still vastly superior to most any other airplane out there. Certainly better than a Cherokee, Mooney, Bo, etc. Anybody want to see what limited visibility is like, try a Hiperbipe... It's like flying while looking through a cardboard tube.

To the OP?s question, though I don?t have a fastback, I don?t find the ?slider? canopy all that appealing in actual practice. I did get the ?opportunity? to add the flat wrap windscreen to the -8, and if (God forbid) I need to replace the canopy some day, I will seriously think about doing a fastback conversion. It will almost certainly feature a throw over canopy as well.
__________________
WARNING! Incorrect design and/or fabrication of aircraft and/or components may result in injury or death. Information presented in this post is based on my own experience - Reader has sole responsibility for determining accuracy or suitability for use.

Michael Robinson
______________
Harmon Rocket II -SDS EFI
RV-8 - SDS CPI
1940 Taylorcraft BL-65
1984 L39C

Last edited by Toobuilder : 11-18-2011 at 08:26 AM.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:13 AM.


The VAFForums come to you courtesy Delta Romeo, LLC. By viewing and participating in them you agree to build your plane using standardized methods and practices and to fly it safely and in accordance with the laws governing the country you are located in.