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  #1  
Old 10-03-2012, 09:25 PM
Nihon_Ni's Avatar
Nihon_Ni Nihon_Ni is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Fredericksburg, VA
Posts: 312
Default RV-8 #82950

In Feb, a few months after moving back to the States, a couple members of my local EAA chapter took my wife and me for a formation intro ride in their RV-8As. About two minutes into the flight, my wife keyed the mic and informed me that we were going to build an -8. Within a month of that flight I found a tail kit in the VAF classifieds and set a plan to build a workshop, buy tools, acquire skills and start building by Sept.

On Sunday my wife, a friend and I completed the first step in the plans (on the last day of Sept!) and last night we achieved a landmark I've been dreaming about for a long, long time...



It's already more fun than I ever imagined!
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Rob K

RV-8 N884RA under construction

Last edited by Nihon_Ni : 10-09-2012 at 04:29 AM.
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  #2  
Old 10-03-2012, 09:42 PM
jongurley jongurley is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 94
Default

Very nice, let the fun begin.
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  #3  
Old 10-04-2012, 05:16 AM
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pierre smith pierre smith is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Louisville, Ga
Posts: 7,840
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nihon_Ni View Post
...... About two minutes into the flight, my wife keyed the mic and informed me that we were going to build an -8.


It's already more fun than I ever imagined!
You know you have a keeper!

Congrats,
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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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  #4  
Old 10-04-2012, 07:02 AM
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izzybear izzybear is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 330
Default Let the journey begin!

Hey Rob,
Congratulations on your first step. I remember you were travelling a lot earlier this year (as well as the cross-country move) so I am glad to see that you have sorted all of that out and now you have jumped in!

I am about 2 weeks away from ordering/starting the tail too...YIPPPEEEE!
Jim
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Jim
RV-8 N223GT (reserved)
Finish - arrived 10/7/15
Fuselage - arrived 3/14/14
Wings - arrived 3/7/13
Builder # 83331
www.mykitlog.com/izzybear
VAF Dues gladly paid up till December 2020

"The ultimate responsibility of the pilot is to fulfill the dreams of the countless millions of earthbound ancestors who could only stare skyward and wish." - Unknown
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  #5  
Old 10-04-2012, 10:18 AM
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Nihon_Ni Nihon_Ni is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Fredericksburg, VA
Posts: 312
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by pierre smith View Post
You know you have a keeper!

Congrats,
I certainly do!!!!!



My Main Squeeze using the Main Squeeze.
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Rob K

RV-8 N884RA under construction
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  #6  
Old 10-04-2012, 10:20 AM
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Nihon_Ni Nihon_Ni is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Fredericksburg, VA
Posts: 312
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Quote:
Originally Posted by izzybear View Post
Hey Rob,
Congratulations on your first step. I remember you were travelling a lot earlier this year (as well as the cross-country move) so I am glad to see that you have sorted all of that out and now you have jumped in!

I am about 2 weeks away from ordering/starting the tail too...YIPPPEEEE!
Jim
Thanks Jim! Things have settled down a bit since summer and I'm finally able to start making progress on the kit.
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Rob K

RV-8 N884RA under construction
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  #7  
Old 10-27-2012, 04:59 AM
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Nihon_Ni Nihon_Ni is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Fredericksburg, VA
Posts: 312
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I'm nearing the 50 hr point and things are really starting to take shape. A few big decisions are looming in the near future...TW vs NW, QB vs SB...I thought I had a grip on these decisions, but the closer I get to the the more doubt I have.

Really enjoying the build!

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Rob K

RV-8 N884RA under construction
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  #8  
Old 11-08-2012, 09:32 PM
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Nihon_Ni Nihon_Ni is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Fredericksburg, VA
Posts: 312
Default Progress check!

I've logged 76 hours in the past 48 days since I started building, and it's arealdy looking like an airplane! I called Van's this morning and ordered the wing kit.

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Rob K

RV-8 N884RA under construction
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  #9  
Old 11-09-2012, 05:40 AM
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tkatc tkatc is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: NJ
Posts: 1,747
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Very nice work! You seem to be moving pretty quickly. At that rate I would advise saving the money and go SB.

You ordered the wing kit, great, I assume you went SB?

Moving on to the control surfaces now....I thought that would be the easier portion of the tail. Turns out it is much more complex than the pieces you have already built. Take your time with the elevator, your wings will take time to arrive, and enjoy the build!
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Track my RV7A!!

Bought my flying -7A
Building an -8! (Fuse)
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  #10  
Old 11-09-2012, 06:55 AM
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izzybear izzybear is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 330
Default Looks Great!

Way to go Rob! You are knocking it right out - keep up the good work and speedy progress!
Jim
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Jim
RV-8 N223GT (reserved)
Finish - arrived 10/7/15
Fuselage - arrived 3/14/14
Wings - arrived 3/7/13
Builder # 83331
www.mykitlog.com/izzybear
VAF Dues gladly paid up till December 2020

"The ultimate responsibility of the pilot is to fulfill the dreams of the countless millions of earthbound ancestors who could only stare skyward and wish." - Unknown
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