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  #1  
Old 06-21-2014, 04:55 PM
RandallBrown10 RandallBrown10 is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Fort Stewart, Georgia
Posts: 5
Default What should I build? RV-4 or RV-8

First let me introduce myself as this is my first post. My name is Randy and I'm currently living in southeast Georgia serving in the United States Army for the past 8 years as a Fire Support Forward Observer. Since I was a kid I've wanted to fly and originally planned to join the Air Force to be a pilot but life had other plans and priorities for me.

Now I'm looking into the world of kit planes and I've been the most impressed by what I have seen in the RV-4 and RV-8. I want something that is two seated tandem. That is a good general flyer but has teeth for when the wife isn't riding shotgun. Something that I can build myself but also isn't super complex that I would be in over my head.

So to all you Veteran flyers out there perhaps one of you can school me on the differences between the two as far as building or flight differences. All help, ideas and opinions are welcome. Thanks in advance.

Respectfully, Randall Brown
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  #2  
Old 06-21-2014, 05:03 PM
Mike S's Avatar
Mike S Mike S is offline
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton Airpark, NV A34
Posts: 15,420
Default Welcome to VAF!

Quote:
Originally Posted by RandallBrown10 View Post
First let me introduce myself as this is my first post. My name is Randy and I'm currently living in southeast Georgia serving in the United States Army ---------------

Respectfully, Randall Brown
Randy, aboard the good ship VAF.

Thanks for your service.

The 8 will take you a lot less time to build, maybe half or better. Also, the 8 is a bit more roomy inside.

But, I think the 4 is the better looking of the two..................

I would suggest you find a ride in each one, and then build what you want.
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Phase 1 done, 2/4/2011

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Last edited by Mike S : 06-21-2014 at 05:06 PM.
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  #3  
Old 06-21-2014, 05:12 PM
RYOUNG RYOUNG is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: NC
Posts: 42
Default

RV-8 would be my choice. Currently building an RV-3.
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  #4  
Old 06-21-2014, 05:19 PM
RandallBrown10 RandallBrown10 is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Fort Stewart, Georgia
Posts: 5
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike S View Post
Randy, aboard the good ship VAF.

Thanks for your service.

The 8 will take you a lot less time to build, maybe half or better. Also, the 8 is a bit more roomy inside.

But, I think the 4 is the better looking of the two..................

I would suggest you find a ride in each one, and then build what you want.
See that's what I thought when looking at it the RV-4 looks a little snugger like a fighter. Which I'm only 5'7 so I'm not a big guy anyways. But I do like the sliding canopy of the RV-8, don't know if you can do that to the -4.
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  #5  
Old 06-21-2014, 05:20 PM
RandallBrown10 RandallBrown10 is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Fort Stewart, Georgia
Posts: 5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RYOUNG View Post
RV-8 would be my choice. Currently building an RV-3.
Thought about the RV-3 but the wife wouldn't be happy not being able to share in the fun lol
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  #6  
Old 06-21-2014, 05:36 PM
Michael Henning Michael Henning is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Nashua, NH
Posts: 536
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Get a ride in each. You build a -4 and assemble an -8, you get into an -8 and strap on a -4.
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  #7  
Old 06-21-2014, 06:28 PM
rgarrett7 rgarrett7 is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Clifton, VA
Posts: 21
Default

As already mentioned, an RV-8 is going to be a LOT less work. The RV-8 kit is decades newer. There are many more active RV-8 builders online. Resale value of an RV-8 is much higher than an RV-4 -- so if you wanted to buy something already built, an RV-4 could be a good deal.
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  #8  
Old 06-21-2014, 06:38 PM
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ColoRv ColoRv is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Tampa (BKV)
Posts: 926
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You don't build a -4 these days, you buy a completed one. You can't build one for what a finished one would cost you. If traveling two up is your goal though, the -8 is the way to go.
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  #9  
Old 06-21-2014, 06:59 PM
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flywithme623 flywithme623 is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Somerset VA
Posts: 77
Default RV-4 Slider

If you search the forum you'll find some -4 sliders. There is no kit for that but with some skill it sure is doable.

This is a FS post I found
http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ht=Slider+RV-4
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Last edited by flywithme623 : 06-21-2014 at 07:02 PM.
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  #10  
Old 06-21-2014, 07:40 PM
60av8tor 60av8tor is offline
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Harrisburg, Pa
Posts: 759
Default

Welcome Randall,

I have my 7A at Wright and I currently have a -10 under way in the garage. Let me know if you'd like to go flying, visit the build, etc.
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RV-7A purchased flying - Sold 6/16
RV-10 empennage delivered 1/22/14 (325JT)

Build: http://hhav8or.blogspot.com/
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