Of course the -8 will be updated and my money says the RV-15 will be it. I've even sent an email to Vans with my prediction and suggestions for the update. I know the -8 has become an iconic plane and that will make the update tricky, but an update will surely come.
Consider that the RV-14 updated the entire construction process to make it easier and quicker to build, anyone interested in that? Anyone want 8 more gallons of gas? How about a slightly wider (1 or 2 inches would do it) fuselage to give you more panel acreage for all the fancy EFIS screens? How about enough room in the back seat for true rudder pedals with brakes so it could be flown from back there? Now that the angle valve 360 and it's variants is the "standard" power plant, the -8's forward CG issues must be dealt with, so the fuselage gets expanded a bit and presto: no CG issues!
Van is a smart guy, think he can resist having the same wing on both new acro capable 2 seaters as well as the 4 seater? Imagine being able to say on the website that it's 1000 hours to completion instead of 1500.
Now, HOW the -8 gets updated is very tricky. Whether the P-51D resemblance was intentional or accidental, it's part of the DNA for the RV-Tandem seater and has to be continued or they'll have lost the magic. The H Stab has to be tapered, not the hershey bar from the -10/-14. The V Stab has to be a touch higher and narrower than the -14 to keep the look. There MUST BE A SLIDER, no other option, but with the engineering that went into the built frame on the -14 tip-up, I bet Van can get up a built-up frame for the -15 that's easier to build and simpler to fit. Personally, I think the straight legs of the -8 look great, far better than the swept-back engine mount legs of the -7: swept back legs scream, "Look how fast I am!", straight legs say, "I don't have to advertise how fast I am, cause you already know." Now, if then can make the gear leg towers less intrusive, wouldn't that be nice?
Of course the -8 is fantastic and the hardcore will hold onto theirs just as fanatically as those lucky enough to have bought a split window Vette will hold onto that. Times change, however, and the new Corvettes sell pretty well; and they're more comfortable, and they ride better, and the AC works, and they start and run without endless maintenance.
I had an -8 kit, had to sell in progress and I'm only recently back to this forum just as the -14 was announced. After moments of admiring the -14, it hit me that the next update HAD to be an update to the -8 and it would be called the RV-15. P-51 backwards? F-15? Too many cosmic start aligning for the RV-15 to be anything but the next fabulous Acro Tandem model from Vans.
Already saving my pennies for builder #150015.
Clay "Cookiemonster" Cook
RV-8 sold in progress.
N515CM reserved
