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  #41  
Old 09-18-2012, 03:31 PM
jrs14855 jrs14855 is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Lake Havasu City AZ
Posts: 2,393
Default Tailwind

The white Tailwind in the picture is a W8/W10 hybrid, powered by a Continental 0 300. This is a very nice airplane that hasn't flown much, I don't know the times. The tapered tip is used on the W8 and W10, with most W8 wingtips being retrofits.
Wittman designed and built the Tailwind in 1953 as a one off personal traveling airplane. He wanted to see the country so he chose the high wing for unobtructed downward visibility. With the windshield extended back around 18" from the front spar the visibility in a turn is quite good AFTER some bank is established. The cutout in the inboard wing leading edge also helps visibility a bit.
The Phoenix airplane is also a nice airplane but does have some major damage history.
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  #42  
Old 09-18-2012, 03:34 PM
jrs14855 jrs14855 is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Lake Havasu City AZ
Posts: 2,393
Default Wingtip

Paul Lipps liked to take credit for the tapered wingtip but it was actually designed by Steve Wittman in the 70's. Steve did a lot of experimenting with wingtip configuration and the tapered tip was the best.
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  #43  
Old 09-18-2012, 03:38 PM
jrs14855 jrs14855 is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Lake Havasu City AZ
Posts: 2,393
Default Tailwind

The white Tailwind with the 0 300 will cruise around 180-190 statute. If you want more info on this airplane or the yellow Phoenix airplane email me at jrs14855@hotmail.com
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  #44  
Old 12-14-2014, 11:44 AM
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dypen dypen is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 40
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Van's RV- vs Tailwind

https://beta.groups.yahoo.com/neo/gr...messages/22590
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RV enthusiast Helge Dypdalen -"dypen". EAA Chapter 573 Norway -member. Cessna 182S LN-EDB -flying. Van's RV-7 -planning to build. "Ready to Build?"
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  #45  
Old 12-16-2014, 07:12 AM
eisnerrv4 eisnerrv4 is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Halifax, NS
Posts: 179
Thumbs up RV-4 Purchase

I waited 13 years before I puchased my RV-4. The first and last plane I'll ever own. Definitely worth the wait.
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RV-4 C-GRJT
Bedford Nova Scotia
Canada
Dues paid for 2019
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  #46  
Old 12-16-2014, 11:16 AM
Dean Pichon Dean Pichon is offline
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 532
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I was about your age when I started building my -4. I started building the tail in the living room of my apartment. I built much of the fuselage in a rented single bay garage. It took 10 years to complete, but it was a great trip. I lived in 3 apartments and one house before I finished. The plane was built in 7 different addresses during that time. My dad helped a lot, though he lived 200 miles away.

When I started, I had no idea how I could afford it, or where I could keep it. Start building, work out the details as you go. Rent in the meantime. I have yet to meet an aircraft owner who can honestly say "it is cheaper to own than rent." Being the builder will forever keep the maintenance cost lower, too.

Good luck
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  #47  
Old 12-16-2014, 11:44 AM
Jstov Jstov is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Melbourne beach, fl
Posts: 190
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Have you looked at a Sonex. I fly a jabiru powered one awesome plane but about as much as a -4. The VW ones are a lot more affordable.
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  #48  
Old 12-16-2014, 12:23 PM
Dmadd Dmadd is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Camas, WA
Posts: 481
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This is VERY good advice.


Quote:
Originally Posted by AX-O View Post
I bought a Cessna 140 for $20K. Got my tailwheel endorsement in it. Flew it for 150 hrs. Learned a lot about planning ahead due to limited power and high DA. Learned to deal with the spring gear skyrocketing me into orbit if my wheel landings were bad. Sold it for $20K. Did transition training with Alex D. and flying the -4 after all that was a piece of cake. Good luck!
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  #49  
Old 12-16-2014, 03:45 PM
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smokyray smokyray is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: TX32
Posts: 1,891
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Quote:
Originally Posted by the4ork View Post
I cant quite afford an RV-4 yet, but I would really like to pick something up in the mean time thats two place, similar (although this seems like a stretch) performance, and I prefer a tailwheel. (never flown a tricycle)

I was thinking I could pick up a Sonerai 2 for about half-price of the RV.

the performance is about half but i think it would be a good stepping stone to get me up in the air.

any thoughts?
Richard,
You being a member of the Viper family, I can share my RV4 odyssey from picking up a Kitplanes in our Intel vault at Misawa to the first flight 9 years later. Built it on a tight budget while flying the F-16 full time, numerous desert deployments and with the help of alot of friends.

Advice? Don't stop dreaming, the RV4 is a great airplane, period. I put 1500 hours on mine in 8 years and a laundry list of pre-internet, pre-VAF, pre-cellphone, pre-FAST card, pre-pre punch adventures and destinations Vlad's travels will be challenged to approach in a lifetime!

Buying a Sonerai, Cessna 120, T-Craft, Luscombe or even a FlyBaby, Smith miniplane or Pober Pixie, all will help you build time and fly while you build. The Tailwind is a great airplane as well, as is the Thorp T-18 http://t18.net/index.php?option=com_...d=1&Itemid=118 and all could be found for under $25K. Having been blessed to fly all of the above mentioned airplanes, the RV4 wins, hands down, even above all the other RV's. The Rocket is another subject...

Build you say? Yes, build. Buy an RV4 project and finish it. You'll be much happier with yourself and the airplane and be able to answer the age old first gas pump question. Did you build it? You betcha...
You already have the background, put it to use!

My Dos Centavos...
V/R
Smokey

PS: You might even be able to find an RV4 partner in the meantime, maybe even on this site!

Last edited by smokyray : 12-16-2014 at 05:52 PM.
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  #50  
Old 12-16-2014, 04:20 PM
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maniago maniago is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Bowie MD
Posts: 886
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This thread is kinda old....2012?
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Busby MustangII (FoldingWing) Pending DAR.
Don't be a hater; I'm a cousin with thin wings!
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