Another Radial RV-8R

[VA Maule]

BK glad to see you chime in.

[DanH]

Morgan, to your original question...yes, it is possible to design new gear tower structure optimized for longer, one-piece gear legs with increased clamp width. It wouldn't look like the current gear tower.

No, a QB fuselage wouldn't work well. At the basic level, increased clamp width will require a new WD-822, and you'll need to move F-802K-1 forward. Those two things trigger a cascading series of additional mods. It is certainly nothing as simple as scabbing on some new fore and aft gear tower panels.

You do have preview plans?

I assume you're basing an 84" prop assumption on tip speed. Although a 74" prop at 2700 and a 84" prop at 2400 have near identical tip speeds, there is a large difference in disk area. Consider what that does to the pitch requirement given the same HP.

....after all the goal is to unique and have that radial KOOL factor.

No, the goal is a practical airplane which happens to be very cool.

[flyboykelly]

Originally Posted by DanH

Morgan, to your original question...yes, it is possible to design new gear tower structure optimized for longer, one-piece gear legs with increased clamp width. It wouldn't look like the current gear tower.

No, a QB fuselage wouldn't work well. At the basic level, increased clamp width will require a new WD-822, and you'll need to move F-802K-1 forward. Those two things trigger a cascading series of additional mods. It is certainly nothing as simple as scabbing on some new fore and aft gear tower panels.

You do have preview plans?

I assume you're basing an 84" prop assumption on tip speed. Although a 74" prop at 2700 and a 84" prop at 2400 have near identical tip speeds, there is a large difference in disk area. Consider what that does to the pitch requirement given the same HP.



No, the goal is a practical airplane which happens to be very cool.

I agree with Dan, you can start down a rabbit hole very easily when modifying a pre punched quick build. Changing a load bearing structure can require changing multiple parts of the original kit. Looking at alternatives to the propeller provides more solutions with minimal engineering changes. The good thing is I've already done the leg work on the propeller and adaptor. Both companies have the drawings and can reproduce the parts for you. The cost of the GT electric propeller is about half that of an MT prop. And the controller works better than anything I've ever seen.

BK

[VA Maule]

I do have preview plans and I need to get a full set.

[David Paule]

Originally Posted by VA Maule

....would it not make sense widen the loading area accordingly as the fore & aft forces of longer gear needs more support to compensate for the increased leverage at the attachment point....

Nothing intrinsically wrong with such a modification, if you don't mind some added weight, but it does require a considerable bit of engineering. Not back-of-the-envelope engineering, but real engineering, not only internet forum stuff. It'll include some analysis and some testing.

Even then you'll have a heavier, slower airplane. But at least it'll hold together.

Dave

[DaAV8R]

Check your PM's.................

[VA Maule]

Got the full plans set and looking them over closely,as we all know that the Devil is in the details.

[VA Maule]

Got my RV grin over the weekend from stinson46 in his RV-8 "Crazy Woman ". He let me have some stick time and I must say even from the back seat these little plans are great!!!!!!!

[VA Maule]

After a long and challenging journey the collection of parts and pieces was officially ordained an airplane January 9, 2023 DAR Darrel Watson. Who was introduced to me by Mel here on VAF , Thank you Mel.

Every comment made previously in this thread was taken into consideration. The several suggestions for real engineering and structural analysis to the proven Vans RV-8 were heeded, in fact I meet with the legend himself Mr.Jack Norris for him to review my proposed changes and check my math, sadly I won’t be able to show him the finished product. He was truly a gentleman.

Another fine fellow I’d like to publicly say thank you to is Brian Kelly (flyboykelly) for being the inspiration for the second Radial RV-8R , letting me get a really close look at his @ Sun-n-Fun and information he shared.

With first flight quickly approaching and phase 1 testing coming soon. I’ll post the results here

[digidocs]

Looks great, congratulations!!!