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01-19-2014, 05:25 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 10
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Buying an RV-4
Hi Everyone,
I am looking for some advice on the purchase of a RV-4. I am a low time tailwheel Pilot (10 hours) and was wondering if the 4 would be a handful. I have been in an 8 at seems pretty docile. Most if not all landings will be on pavement. Second, I am seeing some 4s with 1700-2000 hours on the airframe up for sale. Is there definitely one area to inspect if I consider a purchase.
Thanks for your time,
Tony
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01-19-2014, 05:41 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Louisville, Ga
Posts: 7,840
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Welcome to VAF, Tony. A -4 is very docile during landing/takeoff ops...no problem. You really should have an EAA'r or someone familiar with RV's, do a pre-buy inspection. Wrinkled lower firewall corners, for example, are as a result of very hard landing at some point.
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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01-19-2014, 05:55 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: George West, TX
Posts: 567
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Another welcome Tony. +1 what Pierre says, he's spot on.
__________________
Deal Fair
RV-4 (N34CB)
George West, TX (8T6)
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01-19-2014, 05:58 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: North Atlanta
Posts: 1,120
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The -4 almost shouldn't count as tailwheel time it's so easy. Saying that.... Do not put anyone in the back until you have many hours in the -4. When it is tail heavy it is touchy at best when landing.
Like Pierre said, the firewall gussets and firewall are common problems on the -4. I don't think my -4 has had a hard landing but the firewall can oilcan now from years of use.
One of the greatest airplanes every made. Enjoy it.
__________________
Sid Lambert
RV-7 Sold
RV-4 - Flying - O-320 Fixed Pitch - Red over Yellow
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01-19-2014, 09:20 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!
Tony,  to the good ship VAF.
Ditto what Pierre said.
__________________
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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01-19-2014, 10:03 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Washington, D.C.
Posts: 214
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RV-4 as initial Tailwheel Airplane
Tony,
I also previously bought an RV-4 as my first tailwheel airplane. At the time I had barely 25 hours in a 7KCAB Citabria. I then got 5 hours in an RV-7 as a way to transition to the RV-4. It took me about 10 hours until I finally started feeling comfortable, but I found the RV-4 to be a very forgiving and nice taildragger. To me, it was easier to land than the Citabria, and certainly easier than the RV-7 because you have great visibility on landing.
I now have an RV-6, which fits my current mission a little better (and is harder to land nicely consistently), but I must admit I miss my RV-4 a lot. Maybe I will get back into one sometime. [[ STAN, if you are reading this -- and if you ever decide to sell my old RV-4, you got to give me first dibs!!]]
Don't be afraid to get into one. Go get some more tailwheel time, and you will find the RV-4 to be a great taildragger.
Good luck.
Fernando
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01-19-2014, 12:55 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 51
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I had about 20/hrs total TW from ~5/years prior before I stepped in the -4 for some insurance required dual prior to purchase. By hour 3, I was more or less back in the saddle. By hour 4, the CFI let me solo and I felt at home. Truly an easy plane to fly, in my opinion. When I purchased in June (first plane) I had read a lot on these forums and found these to be the general things to look out for:
Elevator skins cracking. Early skins were .16, generally later builds use .20. Read all the speculation you wish but most agree that it was poor build/installation that lead to this as there are plenty of older -4's without any signs of cracking.
Weldments cracking. This was a weak area of the -4; the cause typically being hard landings.
Fuel Tanks Sloshed. This was the early procedure for sealing the tanks. Later it was found (again, read all the speculation you want on these boards) from improper surface prep that lead to flakes chipping off. From what I've seen, it's usually white in color and fairly obvious to see in the tanks. General procedure is to monitor closely unless you notice it's starting to flake off; a lot of builders/owners simply chose to remove the tanks & strip them.
Vans Service Letters: http://www.vansaircraft.com/public/service-rv4.htm
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01-19-2014, 01:15 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Salmon Arm, BC
Posts: 933
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Me too
My first tailwheel airplane was also an RV-4. Like others, I didn't find landings in it a problem, much like the Super Decathlon I now fly. Be aware that with the short gear legs on the older RV-4s (mine was a 1987) the stall AOA attitude sets the tailwheel down first, and then the mains come down with a clunk. Wonder how much this contributes to the lower firewall weldment problems and motor mount cracks. I found the best approach was to perform a tail low wheel landing, holding a bit of power through the flare (I had a CS prop - makes a difference).
If I were to buy another one I would definitely get the longer (newer) legged version. I would also spend a few more dollars and get as new as possible. New does not necessarily mean low hours. Mine had only 450 hours and I still ended up replacing the engine because of excessive oil consumption (1 qt/hr) and corroded camshaft, alternator failed in flight, exhaust broke in flight, added electric flaps, built new fuel tanks to eliminate the slosh, motor mount cracked, firewall cracks, CS prop needed overhaul........ sold it for about half of what I had into it!
__________________
Mark Olson
1987 RV-4 Sold
2003 Super Decathlon - Sold
F1 EVO Rocket, first flight May 31/14
First in line for the Sonex JSX-2T kit
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01-19-2014, 01:41 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: TX32
Posts: 1,891
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Maybe, maybe not...
Quote:
Originally Posted by RV4ME
Hi Everyone,
I am looking for some advice on the purchase of a RV-4. I am a low time tailwheel Pilot (10 hours) and was wondering if the 4 would be a handful. I have been in an 8 at seems pretty docile. Most if not all landings will be on pavement. Second, I am seeing some 4s with 1700-2000 hours on the airframe up for sale. Is there definitely one area to inspect if I consider a purchase.
Thanks for your time,
Tony
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Tony,
Welcome to Doug Reeves amazing "RV World" website. I still get a big grin when I remember a few of us signing up in his first Yahoo RV Group back in the 90's. Send me an email offline, I consult a bit on RV's and would be glad to help you. I don't recommend the RV4 to low time pilots, nor will your insurance company.
However comma, compared to others The 4 is a pussycat TD...
V/R
Smokey
PS:Talking is free, inspections....not so much 
Last edited by smokyray : 01-19-2014 at 01:48 PM.
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01-19-2014, 01:49 PM
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fugio ergo sum
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Carlsbad, NM
Posts: 1,912
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SMO
...Be aware that with the short gear legs on the older RV-4s (mine was a 1987) the stall AOA attitude sets the tailwheel down first, and then the mains come down with a clunk. Wonder how much this contributes to the lower firewall weldment problems and motor mount cracks. I found the best approach was to perform a tail low wheel landing, holding a bit of power through the flare (I had a CS prop - makes a difference).
If I were to buy another one I would definitely get the longer (newer) legged version...
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I agree that the long legged version of the RV-4 is desirable but in my experience all tailwheel RVs are easily landed tailwheel first at some loadings. If one does that the mains do tend to clunk down. This is the voice of experience talking.
__________________
Larry Pardue
Carlsbad, NM
RV-6 N441LP Flying
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