Workmanship. Being your own worst critic a few years after the fact.

[jpowell13]

If you ever land at BTR Paul, taxi to the south ramp and park next to 50JP. You'll instantantly feel like a Grand Champion builder. I love my old mutt dog and my very average 6A. Can't believe I'm lucky enough to have one. John

[WatkinsT1]

I feel your pain Paul, I am the same way. Although my wife always tells me that I am the only one that notices those things that I consider flaws in my construction, it is always the first thing my eye goes to when I push the hangar door open. I am sure other builders with the critical builders eye see them as well. And just like you I see the "Perfect" show plane quality that some have done, and admire them for that work, but I also see many planes at each event I go to that I would consider my RV as good or better than, so then I don't beat myself up so bad. I think that inward look and critical eye on our own work, is part of why we were driven to build in the first place, its in the makeup of who we are. Also I have found that I have been able to go back and correct some of the things I was not to pleased with slowly, over time, while not flying. So pat yourself on the back for getting it in the air, that is huge. Like they say these things are never really finished, so you still have time.

[humptybump]

Paul, just hang out with a bunch of Cherokee drivers and you'll always be flying the "Belle of the Ball" :-)

[N733JJ]

I built my 8 to be a "flyer" back '01, when there were not a lot of 8's around. Got lots of compliments on it at the time but as time wore on (the calendar and flight time), many better examples of the type started appearing and good ol' JJ started showing her age. But, she still soldiers on.

As Ken Scott once said to me "Do you want to build or do you want to fly?" I love flying my 8, but I also enjoyed building. In a couple years, when my financial obligations decrease, I will bring the panel up to contemporary standards and give her a fresh coat of paint (or wrap) and she will once again be the pretty girl. Then, during retirement, another project is in order.

Scott A Jordan
N733JJ

[flyenforfun]

I hear ya. I have an -8 that's been flying since 2012 and I look at other RVs and think I should have done this or I should have done that. Sometimes I think I should build another one just to right all of the wrongs....lol.

[YellowPeril]

Oh sure I get a little envious when I see those boogers I made in my airplane (even the ones nobody else can see), but I remember what my primary flight instructor told me once when we were recovering an old Aeronca Chief that we owned together.

Brian's a real Mainer, and when I boogered something up, he glance over and say, "Eh. That'll nevah show on a trottin' hoss."

[Tsabean]

Having had the privilege of flying Paul's RV8 multiple times, I can attest to its outstanding handling qualities. Any "less than Oshkosh Grand Champion" workmanship issues were mostly caused by the help! Not entirely me, but I do share some of the responsibility.

I was thinking of one rather oversized hole I drilled in the wrong spot on the main wing spar when I did the initial test flight on the plane.

I am just starting on an RV4 project of my own and while I will strive for perfection initially, I will be more than satisfied with a nice handling, safe aircraft.

And Paul, I expect you to take the 4 for a hop when it's finished.

[wjb]

Now, I really regret that one rivet that stood just a *little* too proud ....

Done is better than perfect; very true. Still working hard on the done part.

[Palamedes]

Originally Posted by YellowJacket RV9

...a quick glance at the Cessna I rent reminds me of the still above average quality of my build.
Chris

^ This.

Originally Posted by n981ms

Besides, yours looks great.

^ And this!

[Monkey]

At 160 knots nobody will notice! My old six was built by an almost blind 86 year old guy from an early kit. Not strait enough for paint and doesn't look very good up close but pretty good in pictures! I use it like an old pickup truck.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-H...moreOK8642.jpg