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09-20-2012, 12:26 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Rancho Palos Verdes,CA
Posts: 27
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Quality of Quick build kit
Hi everyone, I'm new to Vans Air force but I've been a member or the EAA since 1989. I use to be interested in Fiberglass kit planes but over the years I've seen how Vans planes have become the "Plane to build". When I opened my newest Sport Aviation I was impressed with the RV-14. Now I've been to the web site and Met Ken K. in his video presentation of the plane. I was impress with the plane and him (Sad to see him leave the company). The RV-14 got my desire to build going again now that my life should be able to handle the extra work load. I was impress with how far Documentation has come and manufacturing completeness of the kit. Those are big in my view. Not just the type of plane. Plug and play works for me. I own a small machine shop that has CNC machining capability and also sheet-metal as well as Structural fabrication (2 man shop). I wouldn't mind being steered the correct way. Making mistakes is a part of the business and I can do without them.
My question to the members is Getting the Quick build kit the way to go if you forget about the extra cost?
I've look at a lot of builders logs by members and their seems to be a lot of other stuff that needs to get done other than assembly of the sheetmetal. I'm worried about the time involved. I don't have a lot of spare time but I'm willing to try to do it.
My other question would be, by past account how long does it take before the QB kits become available after the Standard kits start shipping? I emailed Vans and they just said they ship standard kits first.
My last question would be the Quality of manufacturing by Bonanza in the Philippines. Is there quality top notch and consistent kit by kit. Or is doing the job myself going to give better results. I try to make a point of doing the job correct and clean. I betting they do a great job but without seeing there work I need others in verifying my opinion.
Thanks, Erik
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09-20-2012, 02:58 AM
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: Bealeton Virginia
Posts: 557
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RV-8
Erik,
I bought a QB from someone else. The QB is from 2005. I have found the work to be very good! I am pleased with it and even though its from 2005 its in great shape! I don't have the time either so I went with the QB. Oh...I also have had my own machine shop in the past and as a toolmaker in my days before I only like top notch quality
YOL BOLSON!!!
__________________
Bob "Skyking" Corriveau
"PRINCE TRAPPED IN A PILOT'S BODY"
Yes I paid my =VAF= membership dues!
RV-8 QB Reserved N212KB
ATP
CFI/CFII/MEI
Build Site: http://www.mykitlog.com/skykingbob/
"Nothing worthwhile has ever been accomplished without inspiration, determination, and perspiration!"
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09-20-2012, 04:27 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Louisville, Ga
Posts: 7,840
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Welcome to VAF, Erik.
I bought a -6A QB in 2005 and was very, very impressed with the workmanship and never regretted the decision.
I wanted to fly soon and that was the reason for going QB.
Best,
__________________
Pierre Smith
RV-10, 510 TT
RV6A (Sojourner) 180 HP, Catto 3 Bl (502Hrs), gone...and already missed
Air Tractor AT 502B PT 6-15 Sold
Air Tractor 402 PT-6-20 Sold
EAA Flight Advisor/CFI/Tech Counselor
Louisville, Ga
It's never skill or craftsmanship that completes airplanes, it's the will to do so,
Patrick Kenny, EAA 275132
Dues gladly paid!
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09-20-2012, 05:15 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 1,505
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I am a tool and die maker also and run my own small shop in Arkansas. It took me over 7 years to build my slow build RV-9A while trying to put food on the table. Would absolutely buy a quick build if I had it to do over. I missed way too much flying. There is plenty of work left even with a quick build. Good luck with your decision.
__________________
Jim Wright
RV-9A N9JW 90919 SoldArkansas
http://www.jimsairplanes.com
_______________________
"It's a brutal struggle for the biscuit."
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09-20-2012, 06:09 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: MERRITT ISLAND, FL
Posts: 360
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A data base of one
I imagine there are equally strong opinions on both sides of the ?slow? vice ?quick? build decision. I went the QB route based entirely on my desire to finish in the shortest amount of time. I surfed the various sources for build times (forum, builders logs) and concluded that ?slow? build is appropriately named. But you have to consider all the variables among which are: your skill level, your anal-ness (or how fussy are you), build vs fly motivation, age (how much runway do you have left), and funding. As for funding I think I was motivated to go the QB route in part because of its reasonable cost.
As for delivery time. I ordered my RV8 kit in mid-January 2008 and got the initial kit in mid-February. First flight was 18 Feb 2012 which included a lot (4 months) downtime for painting. I painted the aircraft in pieces (actually the paint shop did it) times two. That is I shipped everything to the paint shop in the most disassembled state possible to get it primed (live across the river from Cape Canaveral the earths most corrosive environment) and again for final paint. I was never at a work stoppage due to Vans. I worked on the kit weekends-only in 2008, retired and went full time 2009-2012.
I am satisfied with the QB quality. My mentor was a quality inspector at the Cape, a multi-time builder and retired USAF mechanic. He pronounced the quality as superior. I am confident that Vans did a better job than could I.
Again, this is a data base of one. Do yourself a favor and read this most valuable forum. Literally everything you need is there; you just have to dig for it.
__________________
Don Stiver
RV8 "Little Pill" N6371S, Merritt Island, Fl.
BPE IO-390, Dual P-mag, MT 3-blade, AFP system
Steen Skybolt: Sold
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09-20-2012, 07:11 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Hicks Airfield, Fort Worth,Texas
Posts: 1,728
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QB Quality
The QB Quality is excelent. I have been involved with over 40 RVs, most were QB kits. The only problems were in a few kits that Vans had assembled in Europe.
Bonanza builders are good.
My personal RV8 QB is better built than I could do. I am totaly happy with it, after 450 hours flying.
__________________
Jay Pratt VAF #2
RV Central - Builder Assistance
Paul Revere, Borrowed Horse, & Shooter
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09-20-2012, 07:38 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Gardnerville Nv.
Posts: 2,828
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I bought unstarted QB wings second hand on here for about the price of a slow build wing kit. Quality was very good, I figured that saved me a year or two building, (I'm still working full time), but I do plan on a slow build fuse kit in Jan.
__________________
7A Slider, EFII Angle 360, CS, SJ.
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09-20-2012, 08:59 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 1,868
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Being an aircraft judge for quite a few years now and having closely inspected literally hundreds of RVs I think I can fairly state the following.
The factory riveting of a QB RV kit is generally of higher quality than the builder riveting of the average SB kit.
However, the very best of the SB projects (the show planes) invariably exhibit riveting that is noticeably superior to a QB.
When RVs come up for judging I can usually pick the QB kits immediately by the drop in quality of the riveting in the limited number of areas performed by the builder. Typically the QB builder just doesn't get to instal enough rivets to become truly proficient.
To exceed QB quality of riveting on a SB you will need to rivet significant sections of the aircraft "two up" (ie. have a competent riveting partner). The worst riveting I see on both QB and SB kits invariably comes from builders attempting to rivet solo in areas with difficult access.
I hope that all makes sense.
__________________
You’re only as good as your last landing 
Bob Barrow
RV7A
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09-20-2012, 09:18 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Oakland CA
Posts: 771
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I went the quickbuild route and, according to the local airport bums, gave the term "quickbuild" a bad name...7 years to build it  I used the quality of the quickbuild riveting as my benchmark. The quickbuilders have WAY more practice and knowledge than I did. I wouldn't worry about their quality unless you know for a fact you can do better and want to spend the time doing better. All that said, I would be interested to know how the visual quality of the showplanes rivets are better than the quick build. I'm having a hard time imagining how it could be better, but that could be my lack of imagination! I saw the replica Hughs Racer before it crashed and that was the highest quality aircraft construction I ever saw. I looked though, like they used completely different techniques and perhaps very different dimples and rivets. Without that knowledge, materials, tools and experience, I can't see where it would be better than the QB. Oh, and it took 30,000 man hours to build 
__________________
All Best
Jeremy Constant
RV7A "Stella Luna" ECI IO-360 WW200RV Pmags 360hrs
VAF 2019 paid plus some for those who can't
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09-20-2012, 10:03 AM
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Senior Curmudgeon
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton Airpark, NV A34
Posts: 15,420
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Welcome to VAF!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Erik.37m
Hi everyone, I'm new to Vans Air force
Thanks, Erik
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Erik, welcome aboard the good ship VAF 
__________________
Mike Starkey
VAF 909
Rv-10, N210LM.
Flying as of 12/4/2010
Phase 1 done, 2/4/2011 
Sold after 240+ wonderful hours of flight.
"Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your plight to a person on the ground incapable of understanding or doing anything about it."
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