Building the RV-8 fuselage is really fun and fast!!!!!!!!

AirbusPilot · #1 10-04-2008, 12:49 PM

Hi All,

Two week ago I stared building the fuselage. Empenage was like 4 month, wing 9 month. But look what I have in two week!!!!!. Building the fuselage have been the best parts of the project, maybe because now I am seeing that finish my RV-8 is not so far away. Next week Van's is sending me finish Kit, a Lycoming XIO-360 and my hartzell prop

OK my goal is to have the fuselage on the wheels on November, then two month for finish kit and two month for installing everything(avionics, engine, etc).

My wife is pregnant and the baby is coming on March so my plane should be ready, I will need time to change pampers

Wish me luck

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/1408/img0112qi6.jpg

http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/919/img0113ru2.jpg

lightning · #2 10-04-2008, 05:19 PM

wow that's pretty quick!! i hope mine will come together that quickly!!

lookin good

panhandler1956 · #3 10-04-2008, 06:59 PM

Good show! You're moving much quicker than me. The RV8 -1 fuselage kit is well done and fairly quick - I wouldn't even consider a QB at this stage in my life with kits like this. I am right at 2 yrs since I started my RV-8 and probably have 2-3 yrs left. Have fun!
Here's my fuselage upside down in preparation for final riveting.

Danny King · #4 10-05-2008, 09:39 PM

If I were you...... I'd remove the forward cargo compartment's aft bulkhead, and build a access door the opens into the forward cargo compartment. This door will give you access to the rear of the instrument panel. I don't know why Van did not design that into the RV-8, but many of us are glad we did it!

Rick6a · #5 10-06-2008, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danny King

If I were you...... I'd remove the forward cargo compartment's aft bulkhead, and build a access door the opens into the forward cargo compartment. This door will give you access to the rear of the instrument panel. I don't know why Van did not design that into the RV-8, but many of us are glad we did it!

Ditto to what Danny said!!! The mod is easy and you and your back will be very glad to have the access while standing outside the airplane! I left the bottom of the upper skin unprimed just to enhance reflectivity and even considered the utility of installing a simple "service light."

gpiney · #6 10-06-2008, 08:06 AM

If you don't have at least 500-3/32 and 300-1/8 Clecos, order them now. you are going to need them soon. Ask me how I know.

panhandler1956 · #7 10-06-2008, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danny King

If I were you...... I'd remove the forward cargo compartment's aft bulkhead, and build a access door the opens into the forward cargo compartment. This door will give you access to the rear of the instrument panel. I don't know why Van did not design that into the RV-8, but many of us are glad we did it!

Here's mine!

jarhead · #8 10-07-2008, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by panhandler1956

Is that a P-3 prop blade I see on the far left of the photo, behind the fuse?

panhandler1956 · #9 10-08-2008, 06:52 PM

Ken,
Actually it is from a DC-3. A good friend of mine who flew them for a living gave it to me. I plan to restore it some day - after the RV is done!

decathlon737 · #10 10-08-2008, 07:46 PM

Hey Brent, regarding your front baggage access door. You will have to add a tang to the bulkhead to rivet the baggage door support brace to and then notch the access door you made to clear it. It's not a bid deal and I would wait until it's time to mount the brace before I worried with it. Rick Galati has a photo on the home page to give you an idea of what I'm talking about. Looks like your doing a great job, keep pounding.