gbitzer
Member
My RV-6 just had it?s 15th birthday and I was honored when Ken Scott chose it as Miss February for the Van?s 2016 calendar.
![](/community/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi58.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg273%2Fgbitzer%2FRV6%2520Improvements%2FAutopilot%2520pic1%2520sm_zpsag57iwyv.jpg&hash=c9d84d3152032a5237239e06bcf76c19)
Rosie?s post about the 30th Anniversary of the RV-6 event at OSH struck a nerve and I knew it was time to tuck my 6 back in the hangar for a few OSH improvements. I fly a fair amount of IFR and rain is like sand paper at 200 mph. A new coat of paint was in order. This also provided me a chance to make a few improvements. Although I liked my original paint scheme I wanted to spice it up a bit. Some type of checker board was the answer. Steve Melton?s posts on his paint project encouraged me to take on the painting project myself. Although I had repainted the wheel pants and cowling over the years this was my first attempt to paint the entire plane unassisted. Using a PPG base coat / clear coat system made the process longer but much easier in my mind. It also made more complicated designs possible with my skill level. Unfortunately I could not fit the entire plane in the booth.
![](/community/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi58.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg273%2Fgbitzer%2FRV6%2520Improvements%2Ftail%2520masking%2520small_zpsfercj9zu.jpg&hash=d78c04396d278b8e9502dd757773d5db)
Masking the tail?s new checker board pattern
![](/community/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi58.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg273%2Fgbitzer%2FRV6%2520Improvements%2Fchecker%2520board%2520sm_zpsixfdgveo.jpeg&hash=54ffb9ce4e4d89293f4cc76349452023)
After the clear coat was applied
![](/community/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi58.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg273%2Fgbitzer%2FRV6%2520Improvements%2FWing%25201%2520cleared%2520sm_zpsmf6zkvoj.jpg&hash=54988b864ed9ceb943aae48760224b03)
After clearing the first wing
Although I was an early member of the Team RV formation team I never added smoke to my -6. This was the perfect opportunity. There are several nice smoke kits listed in VAF but I didn?t want to risk getting smoke oil in the cockpit. I decided to work with Marvin Homsley (http://www.smoke-system-helper.com/) to modify his very clean ?hidden RV6 tank?. Marvin kindly removed the filler neck and provided 3 threaded ports (Flop tube exit, refill port, and vent). In an effort to keep the installation as clean as possible I designed a ?one button? refill solution that would allow me to use the diaphragm pump to generate smoke as well as refill the tank. The pump and 2 solenoid valves were installed under the passenger seat.
![](/community/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi58.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg273%2Fgbitzer%2FRV6%2520Improvements%2FSmoke%2520Plumbing%2520V2_zps9uxjfcwi.jpeg&hash=f0d69aace00bfaa43950ba9493bec496)
pump / solenoid plumbing and electronic controls
I also added a small recess in the belly to mount a spill proof disconnect (?oil stinger?) for easy refill. I simply connect the female disconnect hose and drop it in my smoke oil container. A hidden switch actives the pump and solenoid valves to pump oil from the smoke oil container into the on board tank. If I happen to pump too much oil it simply drains out the vent line near the refill ?stinger?.
![](/community/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi58.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg273%2Fgbitzer%2FRV6%2520Improvements%2FRemote%2520Fill%2520Nipple%2520sm_zpsudndlapx.jpg&hash=d775941d8b8d1e2a111d10508f75ea7b)
Photo of the recessed oil refill quick connect port (stinger)
Initial testing worked well. I hope to be flight testing this weekend.
![](/community/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi58.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg273%2Fgbitzer%2FRV6%2520Improvements%2FAutopilot%2520pic1%2520sm_zpsag57iwyv.jpg&hash=c9d84d3152032a5237239e06bcf76c19)
Rosie?s post about the 30th Anniversary of the RV-6 event at OSH struck a nerve and I knew it was time to tuck my 6 back in the hangar for a few OSH improvements. I fly a fair amount of IFR and rain is like sand paper at 200 mph. A new coat of paint was in order. This also provided me a chance to make a few improvements. Although I liked my original paint scheme I wanted to spice it up a bit. Some type of checker board was the answer. Steve Melton?s posts on his paint project encouraged me to take on the painting project myself. Although I had repainted the wheel pants and cowling over the years this was my first attempt to paint the entire plane unassisted. Using a PPG base coat / clear coat system made the process longer but much easier in my mind. It also made more complicated designs possible with my skill level. Unfortunately I could not fit the entire plane in the booth.
![](/community/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi58.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg273%2Fgbitzer%2FRV6%2520Improvements%2Ftail%2520masking%2520small_zpsfercj9zu.jpg&hash=d78c04396d278b8e9502dd757773d5db)
Masking the tail?s new checker board pattern
![](/community/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi58.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg273%2Fgbitzer%2FRV6%2520Improvements%2Fchecker%2520board%2520sm_zpsixfdgveo.jpeg&hash=54ffb9ce4e4d89293f4cc76349452023)
After the clear coat was applied
![](/community/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi58.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg273%2Fgbitzer%2FRV6%2520Improvements%2FWing%25201%2520cleared%2520sm_zpsmf6zkvoj.jpg&hash=54988b864ed9ceb943aae48760224b03)
After clearing the first wing
Although I was an early member of the Team RV formation team I never added smoke to my -6. This was the perfect opportunity. There are several nice smoke kits listed in VAF but I didn?t want to risk getting smoke oil in the cockpit. I decided to work with Marvin Homsley (http://www.smoke-system-helper.com/) to modify his very clean ?hidden RV6 tank?. Marvin kindly removed the filler neck and provided 3 threaded ports (Flop tube exit, refill port, and vent). In an effort to keep the installation as clean as possible I designed a ?one button? refill solution that would allow me to use the diaphragm pump to generate smoke as well as refill the tank. The pump and 2 solenoid valves were installed under the passenger seat.
![](/community/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi58.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg273%2Fgbitzer%2FRV6%2520Improvements%2FSmoke%2520Plumbing%2520V2_zps9uxjfcwi.jpeg&hash=f0d69aace00bfaa43950ba9493bec496)
pump / solenoid plumbing and electronic controls
I also added a small recess in the belly to mount a spill proof disconnect (?oil stinger?) for easy refill. I simply connect the female disconnect hose and drop it in my smoke oil container. A hidden switch actives the pump and solenoid valves to pump oil from the smoke oil container into the on board tank. If I happen to pump too much oil it simply drains out the vent line near the refill ?stinger?.
![](/community/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi58.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg273%2Fgbitzer%2FRV6%2520Improvements%2FRemote%2520Fill%2520Nipple%2520sm_zpsudndlapx.jpg&hash=d775941d8b8d1e2a111d10508f75ea7b)
Photo of the recessed oil refill quick connect port (stinger)
Initial testing worked well. I hope to be flight testing this weekend.