B

Brice 8EZ

I'm New Here
Just bought a RV 4 kit and would like to make it a fast back.Were or is there a place to get the parts ? Or do you just have to make your own thanks for any help.
 
The person to talk to is Axel, user name AX-O. He is very helpful and has an excellent post of his project. Read everything you can.
Here are some pages with useful info...

http://rv-4-svingenb.blogspot.com/s...-max=2011-01-01T00:00:00+01:00&max-results=50

http://gikonindex.blogspot.com/2010/10/work-in-progress-index-to-blog.html

http://www.rv8r.de/welcome.htm

I also have a kit that I would like to build into a fast back. From what I have gathered it would be best to bang out our own bulkheads. Apparently the Rocket parts need some modification to fit. The skin can easily be purchased throuch an aircraft aluminum supplier. The canopy can be purchased from Todd's Canopys in Florida for around $500.

I have yet to begin my project. Too much traveling. Hopefully in a few months I will start banging rivets. As far as the order goes, and please check this with AX-O.....
-build the canoe
-install the roll bar
-determine the hight above the roll bar the top of the canopy needs to be to provide yourself with comfortable clearence.
-connect that point with a lazer the top of the rear bulkhead. That is the line to where the top of all the bulkheads will extend. This process will assure a flat transition between the canopy to the fast back.

For the bulkheads I am looking into making them with O aluminum and heat treating them as required. I have plenty of O at home, a heat treating schedule, and have found this link for a DIY Kiln. http://www.knifeforums.com/forums/showtopic.php?tid/752668/post/775813/hl// It is probably a lot of extra work for little gain, but I am still looking into it. Commercial heat treating is expensive. The simpler solution is every aluminum construction manual may be the best bet.

To build the aircraft Jigs I think I will use 80-20 aluminum extrusion. There are probably suppliers in your area where it can be had for less if you are willing to pick it up. There are a few advantages of using the extrusion. Unlike wood it will not warp. There are plenty of heart breaking posts about this issue. It is easy to bolt together to form the jig you need. It is re-useable. The one main disadvantage is the cost over a wood jig. I would rather spend a few extra $s to make sure there are no problems down the road.

Good luck
 
I am working on a document with some useful info. once it is done I will post it. For now if you want info, you can use the links in my signature (below).

Yes, the fastback reduces drag when compared to the standard configuration. When airflow changes more than 5 to 7 deg in expansion (like the transition between the canopy and the turtledeck), the flow detaches and creates turbulent flow (drag). 5 to 7 deg are the standard numbers per school. There are other ways to improve airflow if the angle is larger than that.
 
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