Here is a comparison I saw on the Grumman Gang:
Having flown both the 260 HP RV 10 and the 260 HP Saber Toothed Tiger I have some generalized comparisons for you.
The RV10 is perhaps around 20 mph faster in top speed 200 mph vs 180 mph but at gross weight lacks the elevator authority that the Tiger has during
landing. With 2 up front a little baggage many 10 pilots find the need for
ballast to get CG moved to a more comfortable location forward. Of course
this makes the plane heavier and the cost is speed. Many builders report
that they get around 184 mph and not the 200 mph the factory reports. Their 10's would be about the same speed as a Saber Toothed Tiger. The stall speed of the 10 is a few mph higher than the Tiger. The 10 flies very much like a Tiger but does not land quite as nicely, i.e. full stall landing are more difficult to maintain.. The climb rate is about the same and after more
flight time in the Sabertooth I may report that that the Sabertooth has a
better climb rate...
The 10 has a larger vert stab and rudder and this may have eliminated a need for the dorsal fin. The rudder size allows rudder authority during normal
taxi speeds so that on pavement you don't often need steer with the brakes.
The Sabertoothed TIger uses a lot of rudder with a full power takeoff while
the 10's bigger rudder takes much less rudder pedal travel. The Sabertooth
will wake up your legs soon as the throttle is pushed in...it's kind of fun
to actually need a rudder in a Tiger
Neither the 10 or Tiger need much rudder for making coordinated turns.
The 10 seems to have plenty of stability, even in the turbulance I flew it
thru, and doesn't "feel" like it needs a dorsal fin..... but then I never
flew a Tiger without a dorsal fin to have a comparison...Maybe we could get
Gary Vogt to try that while he has an experimental Tiger.......with that
really cool, go fast cowling....
The 10 is around 200lbs heavier empty than the Sabertooth, is noisier and
makes rattles that no grumman makes and the wings will never look as
smooth as a grumman with no rivets.
The 10 main gear will not likely be able to with stand being driven into the
wing and recover like the Tiger has sometimes demonstrated this ability....
The 10 wheel pants cover more of the wheel than the Certifieds do and
perhaps more than regs allow certs to cover..and the pressure recovery
affect is probably real....but that can be had on a Tiger now too thanks to
Gene Plazak STC'ing of the 10 pants for the grummans.
If the Sabertooth had the AA1 leading edge design it would likely be faster
than a 10. especially with the 10 wheelpants
I think the Sabertooth may be more fuel effeicent than the 10 at 75% power
settings.
Fred Kokoska has demonstrated that the Sabertoothed Tiger burns less fuel
than an O360 or IO360 Tiger/Cheetah. Flying the same speed along side those planes.
A 10 is easier to enter both front and back seats with a lower step over
than the Tiger and has much more cabin room but the grumman sliding canopy can't be beat for staying cool during taxi...and flight
I believe Maynard Crosby can speak much more technically about the dorsal
fin as he has a 180hp Yankee that I believe he has flown with and without
the dorsal fin.
In either case, with or without a dorsal fin. I expect you will never get
the Bonanza yaw sickness that a few grumman gangsters live with thinking
they have "upgraded" (what a myth!) by buying a V-tail Bonana
Having flown both the 260 HP RV 10 and the 260 HP Saber Toothed Tiger I have some generalized comparisons for you.
The RV10 is perhaps around 20 mph faster in top speed 200 mph vs 180 mph but at gross weight lacks the elevator authority that the Tiger has during
landing. With 2 up front a little baggage many 10 pilots find the need for
ballast to get CG moved to a more comfortable location forward. Of course
this makes the plane heavier and the cost is speed. Many builders report
that they get around 184 mph and not the 200 mph the factory reports. Their 10's would be about the same speed as a Saber Toothed Tiger. The stall speed of the 10 is a few mph higher than the Tiger. The 10 flies very much like a Tiger but does not land quite as nicely, i.e. full stall landing are more difficult to maintain.. The climb rate is about the same and after more
flight time in the Sabertooth I may report that that the Sabertooth has a
better climb rate...
The 10 has a larger vert stab and rudder and this may have eliminated a need for the dorsal fin. The rudder size allows rudder authority during normal
taxi speeds so that on pavement you don't often need steer with the brakes.
The Sabertoothed TIger uses a lot of rudder with a full power takeoff while
the 10's bigger rudder takes much less rudder pedal travel. The Sabertooth
will wake up your legs soon as the throttle is pushed in...it's kind of fun
to actually need a rudder in a Tiger
Neither the 10 or Tiger need much rudder for making coordinated turns.
The 10 seems to have plenty of stability, even in the turbulance I flew it
thru, and doesn't "feel" like it needs a dorsal fin..... but then I never
flew a Tiger without a dorsal fin to have a comparison...Maybe we could get
Gary Vogt to try that while he has an experimental Tiger.......with that
really cool, go fast cowling....
The 10 is around 200lbs heavier empty than the Sabertooth, is noisier and
makes rattles that no grumman makes
and the wings will never look as smooth as a grumman with no rivets.
The 10 main gear will not likely be able to with stand being driven into the
wing and recover like the Tiger has sometimes demonstrated this ability....
The 10 wheel pants cover more of the wheel than the Certifieds do and
perhaps more than regs allow certs to cover..and the pressure recovery
affect is probably real....but that can be had on a Tiger now too thanks to
Gene Plazak STC'ing of the 10 pants for the grummans.
If the Sabertooth had the AA1 leading edge design it would likely be faster
than a 10. especially with the 10 wheelpants
I think the Sabertooth may be more fuel effeicent than the 10 at 75% power
settings.
Fred Kokoska has demonstrated that the Sabertoothed Tiger burns less fuel
than an O360 or IO360 Tiger/Cheetah. Flying the same speed along side those planes.
A 10 is easier to enter both front and back seats with a lower step over
than the Tiger and has much more cabin room but the grumman sliding canopy can't be beat for staying cool during taxi...and flight
I believe Maynard Crosby can speak much more technically about the dorsal
fin as he has a 180hp Yankee that I believe he has flown with and without
the dorsal fin.
In either case, with or without a dorsal fin. I expect you will never get
the Bonanza yaw sickness that a few grumman gangsters live with thinking
they have "upgraded" (what a myth!) by buying a V-tail Bonana
