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  #1  
Old 02-14-2009, 10:00 PM
AX-O's Avatar
AX-O AX-O is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: SoCal
Posts: 2,520
Default AX-O's Fastback RV-4
EDIT: This documet contains additional information regarding RV-4 fastback. https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&p...yOWZh&hl=en_US

New picture links:
Firewall

Rudder pedals

Foot wells

Upholstery

Instrument panel

Interior

Landing gear

Canopy

Empennage

Fuselage

Engine

Cowl

Prop

Wiring

Big move

Final setup


A lot of people have asked me to post pictures of my fastback RV-4. So I decided to start a section for my RV.

DR, if this is not appropriate and you would rather have this status under the "RV-4 Status" section, please move accordingly.

I have been working on the fastback portion, canopy frame and canopy all at the same time for the past 3 months. The fastback sheet is not fully trimmed yet. The canopy frame was a standard RV-4 frame that I cut in multiple places, re-welded, modified and banged into shape. The canopy came from Todd and it fits a Rocket. So far it has worked out very well.

Last week I started gluing my canopy to the canopy frame. I used pieces of air hose for the spacers.


The canopy frame was modified to take maximum advantage of the bigger canopy and to improve the field of view. The side tubes were lowered approximately 4 inches. The front bow was cut off and welded to the frame about 6 inches lower. That improoves my forward/side field of view.
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Axel
RV-4 fastback thread and Pics
VAF 2020 paid VAF 704
The information that I post is just that; information and my own personal experiences. You need to weight out the pros and cons and make up your own mind/decisions. The pictures posted may not show the final stage or configuration. Build at your own risk.
Last edited by AX-O : 12-21-2016 at 07:58 AM. Reason: added new picture links due to Picasa going away.
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  #2  
Old 02-14-2009, 10:16 PM
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AX-O AX-O is offline
 
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Location: SoCal
Posts: 2,520
Default
The canopy was only cut on the back for shape. Nothing was cut off the sides. The front was cut in order to adjust the canopy height. Doing this allowed me to extend the forward portion of the canopy approximately 5 inches.


The canopy latching system was changed to Forward = locked and aft = open.
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Axel
RV-4 fastback thread and Pics
VAF 2020 paid VAF 704
The information that I post is just that; information and my own personal experiences. You need to weight out the pros and cons and make up your own mind/decisions. The pictures posted may not show the final stage or configuration. Build at your own risk.
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  #3  
Old 02-14-2009, 10:23 PM
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AX-O AX-O is offline
 
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Location: SoCal
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A 25 psi car hood shock was implemented to the canopy frame. It was purchased at a local auto shop. The shock is approximately 9 inches long when closed and 12 inches long opened.


The canopy opens and closes very easy. I may put a strap on the frame as well. The winds get crazy around the Mojave Desert.
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Axel
RV-4 fastback thread and Pics
VAF 2020 paid VAF 704
The information that I post is just that; information and my own personal experiences. You need to weight out the pros and cons and make up your own mind/decisions. The pictures posted may not show the final stage or configuration. Build at your own risk.
Last edited by AX-O : 02-14-2009 at 10:26 PM.
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  #4  
Old 02-14-2009, 10:32 PM
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AX-O AX-O is offline
 
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Location: SoCal
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This is what the canopy looks like. I will try to take pics tomorrow of the plane outside if it does not rain.

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Axel
RV-4 fastback thread and Pics
VAF 2020 paid VAF 704
The information that I post is just that; information and my own personal experiences. You need to weight out the pros and cons and make up your own mind/decisions. The pictures posted may not show the final stage or configuration. Build at your own risk.
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  #5  
Old 02-14-2009, 10:39 PM
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DanH DanH is offline
 
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Location: 08A
Posts: 10,006
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Very cool Axel! Nice to see some creative building going on too. I think it will be a better looking airplane than the fastback 8, nicer lines and the 4's swept gear always did look faster <g>
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RV-8 SS
Barrett IO-390
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  #6  
Old 02-14-2009, 10:44 PM
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jferraro17 jferraro17 is offline
Opulence, I has it...
  
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: TX
Posts: 830
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DanH View Post
....it will be a better looking airplane than the fastback 8

Blasphemy!!!!!
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Joe Ferraro
DFW, VAF #17


SOLD
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  #7  
Old 02-15-2009, 10:42 AM
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AX-O AX-O is offline
 
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Location: SoCal
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The weather was nice enough to take the RV out. Here are a few pics of it. No work has been done on the coweling nor plenum yet.
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Axel
RV-4 fastback thread and Pics
VAF 2020 paid VAF 704
The information that I post is just that; information and my own personal experiences. You need to weight out the pros and cons and make up your own mind/decisions. The pictures posted may not show the final stage or configuration. Build at your own risk.
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  #8  
Old 02-15-2009, 10:44 AM
AX-O's Avatar
AX-O AX-O is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: SoCal
Posts: 2,520
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DanH View Post
Very cool Axel! Nice to see some creative building going on too. I think it will be a better looking airplane than the fastback 8, nicer lines and the 4's swept gear always did look faster <g>
Dan, I hope it does not look much better. I am also building an RV-8 with the Show Planes fastback and coweling. It is on hold until the -4 is flying.
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Axel
RV-4 fastback thread and Pics
VAF 2020 paid VAF 704
The information that I post is just that; information and my own personal experiences. You need to weight out the pros and cons and make up your own mind/decisions. The pictures posted may not show the final stage or configuration. Build at your own risk.
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  #9  
Old 02-15-2009, 10:57 AM
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PlaneBuilderBill PlaneBuilderBill is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Euless, TX
Posts: 157
Default Very Nice
Ax,

Your canopy install is really coming along.... hope I've been of some help. I really like the way you lowered the sides (ala Pitts Model 12). Keep up the picture posts.

I have the Show Planes canopy and completed plane promo pictures hanging on my hangar wall...also my next project!!! That is if I can find another job, got laid off in December....bummer.

Anyway, keep up the good work.
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Bill Freckman
1504 Milla Ct.
Euless, TX 76039
817-705-6300
bfreckman(at)tx.rr.com
Hangar 343 T67 Hicks (D/FW Sec)
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  #10  
Old 02-18-2009, 10:53 PM
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AX-O AX-O is offline
 
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Bill you have been a big help. I am sorry to hear about your job.
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Axel
RV-4 fastback thread and Pics
VAF 2020 paid VAF 704
The information that I post is just that; information and my own personal experiences. You need to weight out the pros and cons and make up your own mind/decisions. The pictures posted may not show the final stage or configuration. Build at your own risk.
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