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My RV9A

Jslow2

Well Known Member
Recently started my RV9



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That primed VS spar looks beautiful. Did you use a squeezer or a rivet gun? Nice uniform riveting unlike mine. Time to order the wings :)
 
That primed VS spar looks beautiful. Did you use a squeezer or a rivet gun? Nice uniform riveting unlike mine. Time to order the wings :)

Thanks!

Squeezer for most of it, the ones near the hinge brackets I couldn't get the squeezer on.


I did have an oopsie figure 8 while dimpling the skin, really upset me lol, but drill two adjacent holes and move on, I'm building to fly not to show. I think getting into a rhythm is both good and bad, I was nervous on the skin rivets, had to mentally do each step on every rivet,
 
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First oopsie!

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Happens to lots of people. Be careful using a c-frame dimpling, as this and a slight amount of dimplingitis, caused me to make the same mistake. Take the extra 0.5s to ensure the male die is in the right place & save yourself the hassle of a repair.

Or, get yourself a DRDT-2.
 
Guilty of that too. Fixed it the same way as well. I also took a file and emory cloth to my dimple 8 and to make sure the edges were smooth again. My extra dimple literally tore the aluminum and needed some TLC after that beating.
 
Did you fix the oopsie? :)
 

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Rudder rough assembled, waiting on rudder and elevator horns that are back ordered, estimated arrival May 21, not much to do without them.

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OOOPs

I know the feeling well when you make your first mistake or make the first smilie, it really saps your confidence as you are determined to do everything right, been there!!
I have a matching one on my 9A rudder where the gun slipped and a few others on the way to where I am on my build, the dreaded tip-up canopy.
The expression 'move on' I never understood until now which is when your build is finished and painted you will have forgotten about the smilies and the numerous not 100% formed rivets you will have.
Learnt the hard way about not redoing a non perfect rivet, you do more damage replacing it normally and it sometimes isn't any better.
Keep on trucking!!
Duncan
 
progress so far.

Also considering dropping the "A" from my build.
 

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I have a few friends that have taildragger RV9s, they love 'em.
I've never seen an taildragger RV upside down, but I have seen 4 "A" model RV's inverted on the runway. That's reason enough to go tailwheel.
 
I have a few friends that have taildragger RV9s, they love 'em.
I've never seen an taildragger RV upside down, but I have seen 4 "A" model RV's inverted on the runway. That's reason enough to go tailwheel.

As opposed to ground loops.

pluses and minuses....
 
do it

Not done with my -9 yet, but everyone says it's the easiest taildragger to land they have flown. I'm betting they are right and am looking forward to some new challenges!
Good luck.
 
I have over 400 hours of tailwheel time on my 170 and have 180 and cub time as well. Now that the little wheel no longer scares me, I much prefer it because it's so much stronger and I can land the airplane without actually stalling it which gives me some flexibility.

The look is far better, but insurance much higher.
 
JSLOW,
Tail wheel RV-9's are the bomb.
If you go that way get me your tail # when you get it.
I am keeping a list of RV-9's.
Only about 30-35 in the world that I have found.

I wanted the 9 for IFR stability but the tailwheel for sport and looks.
 
JSLOW,
Tail wheel RV-9's are the bomb.
If you go that way get me your tail # when you get it.
I am keeping a list of RV-9's.
Only about 30-35 in the world that I have found.

I wanted the 9 for IFR stability but the tailwheel for sport and looks.

Pretty sure on the change to the TW. N7567S tentative number
 
Elevators

First tech counselor inspection passed. If you're in Michigan I'd recommend Carl Franz, super nice guy, very knowledgeable.

Elevator preliminary mounting done.
 

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Mounted the trim tab, empannage is done for now.

Cleaned up they paper from the wing crates.
 

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Inventory done starting the left wing main spar.
 

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Prepping ribs...time consuming.
 

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First rib in.
 

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More ribs done

Got a few more ribs riveted on today, but had to go to work before finishing. Dinged the spar with the bucking bar, made a cover out of cardboard to protect it.
 

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More wing work

Initial left wing assembly.
 

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Mistake

Maddie another boo boo, this one more serious...
 

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Since lead times are long, decided to play around with solidworks.
 

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