Third time is the Charm. My 4 Will get done!

[PropMan]

Third time is the charm!

I've started this project too many times not to finish, with the first two kits being sold for various reasons, and I keep getting sellers remorse. This one is gonna fly.

My mission has been refined to a point that make this 4 very old school with bits of Rocket.

Two main goals are:
Extremely light weight 850-875lbs Empty Weight!
Finish and fly in time for the 50th anniversary of the 4!

So far parts are being acquired and start date is April this year.

Basic RV4 airframe with minor deviations.
O320 built up nicely
42 gallon fuel
Fastback
Reduced wingspan
Titanium Tailspring
.016 control skins
No rear seat controls
F1 Rocket Sliding canopy
James aircraft Cowl, Plenum, wheel pants/farings
Performance Propeller
380/150/5 tires
No Alternator/
AV30E an Trig radio with iPad mini
Basic engine instruments
Minimalist paint and interior
Short gear

My driving force for this third attempt comes from the proposed MOSAIC rules, I've been flying LSA and have no desire to jump thru medical hoops anymore. Here we go!

 

[PropMan]

Here's the kit, some Harmon and F1 parts, and an assortment of unfinished props.

 

[PropMan]

Wings are near complete, just need to fab new ,larger fuel tanks

 

[slip rv]

Sounds like a good build. Looking forward to your progress.

 

[DeltaRomeo]

Outstanding news! Thanks for the update, sir.

 

[PropMan]

Drove down to James Aircraft and picked up my Cowl/cheeks and Plenum.
Collection of parts is getting larger!

 

[PropMan]

Titanium Tailspring arrived today. Dang this thing is light.

 

[PropMan]

I'm still here!
Acquiring parts, no building yet, but that'll start soon. My Bearhawk LSA should be ready for airworthiness inspection in a few weeks. That means I'll be on the 4 by December/January. Pics of a few more parts added to the rafters until needed!

 

[PropMan]

Pics!

 

[Tracer 10]

I just replaced the .016” elevator skins on my RV6 and recently worked on an RV4 with .016” skins that had multiple cracks. The difference in weight is negligible.

 

[PropMan]

I just replaced the .016” elevator skins on my RV6 and recently worked on an RV4 with .016” skins that had multiple cracks. The difference in weight is negligible.

I've had good experience with the. 016 control skins in the past. If needed I'll go to the .020. But that adds right at 1.5lbs to the tail alone. My target weight for the 4 is 850lbs
Every gram is counted on this one

 

[JoeSeibert]

My Bearhawk LSA should be ready for airworthiness inspection in a few weeks.

Love to see some pics of that too. Congrats not many of them out there flying yet.

 

[PropMan]

Love to see some pics of that too. Congrats not many of them out there flying yet.

Here's a couple shots, basic panel, which I plan on an exact one for the 4

 

[JoeSeibert]

Thank you - very nice. My future complete build will likely be a Bearhawk LSA. However currently resurrecting an RV-3 which should keep me busy for a year or two...

Paintjob and panel both looking good! What motor did you go with ?

 

[Jjackh10]

Titanium Tailspring arrived today. Dang this thing is light.

Where did you order the tailspring from? I want one lol.

 

[FlyingDutchman257]

Titanium Tailspring arrived today. Dang this thing is light.

Where did that come from?

 

[PropMan]

Where did you order the tailspring from? I want one lol.

Where did that come from?

Richard at
Langaire Aircraft Parts LLC

 

[FlyingDutchman257]

Richard at
Langaire Aircraft Parts LLC

How much does it weigh?

 

[Jjackh10]

Richard at
Langaire Aircraft Parts LLC

Thanks, I contacted him yesterday.

 

[PropMan]

How much does it weigh?

1.52lbs, it saves a pound. That means I can take 6-8 pounds off the front end according to cg calculations.

Thank you - very nice. My future complete build will likely be a Bearhawk LSA. However currently resurrecting an RV-3 which should keep me busy for a year or two...

Paintjob and panel both looking good! What motor did you go with ?

O200

 

[PropMan]

Making room for wing jig! Going to trim back some leading edge skin for the larger (21 gallon per side) fuel tanks.

 

[PropMan]

Well, it took a few more weeks than I expected. Finally got the AW certificate for my Bearhawk LSA, pic attached. While I will be flying phase 1 on it, I have officially started working on the 4! Goal, as stated before, somewhere lol, flight in 3 years. My hope is there will be a 50th anniversary of the 4 at Osh and I'll fly this one there for it!

 

[Norman CYYJ]

Third time is the charm, I hope!

I've started this project too many times not to finish, with the first two kits being sold for various reasons, and I keep getting sellers remorse. This one is gonna fly.

My mission has been refined to a point that make this 4 very old school with bits of Rocket.

Two main goals are:
Extremely light weight 850-875lbs Empty Weight!
Finish and fly in time for the 50th anniversary of the 4!

So far parts are being acquired and start date is April this year.

Basic RV4 airframe with minor deviations.
O320 built up nicely
42 gallon fuel
Fastback
Reduced wingspan
Titanium Tailspring
.016 control skins
No rear seat controls
F1 Rocket Sliding canopy
James aircraft Cowl, Plenum, wheel pants/farings
Performance Propeller
380/150/5 tires
No Alternator/
AV30E an Trig radio with iPad mini
Basic engine instruments
Minimalist paint and interior
Short gear

My driving force for this third attempt comes from the proposed MOSAIC rules, I've been flying LSA and have no desire to jump thru medical hoops anymore. Here we go!

Why no Alternator?

 

[PropMan]

Why no Alternator?

No ADS-B required, weight of the equipment and associated wiring, complexity. Empty Weight target is 850lbs, every gram counts. This is going to be a day vfr fun plane

 

[Norman CYYJ]

Third time is the charm, I hope!

I've started this project too many times not to finish, with the first two kits being sold for various reasons, and I keep getting sellers remorse. This one is gonna fly.

My mission has been refined to a point that make this 4 very old school with bits of Rocket.

Two main goals are:
Extremely light weight 850-875lbs Empty Weight!
Finish and fly in time for the 50th anniversary of the 4!

So far parts are being acquired and start date is April this year.

Basic RV4 airframe with minor deviations.
O320 built up nicely
42 gallon fuel
Fastback
Reduced wingspan
Titanium Tailspring
.016 control skins
No rear seat controls
F1 Rocket Sliding canopy
James aircraft Cowl, Plenum, wheel pants/farings
Performance Propeller
380/150/5 tires
No Alternator/
AV30E an Trig radio with iPad mini
Basic engine instruments
Minimalist paint and interior
Short gear

My driving force for this third attempt comes from the proposed MOSAIC rules, I've been flying LSA and have no desire to jump thru medical hoops anymore. Here we go!

Save some more weight and don't use a James Plenum. I have never needed one and if you do the baffling properly it will work just fine.

 

[PropMan]

Save some more weight and don't use a James Plenum. I have never needed one and if you do the baffling properly it will work just fine.

I have the plenum, and was wondering about that. Definitely a potential for shaving weight if I don't need it. Plus I can't find any data that gives performance gain numbers if using it

 

[PropMan]

Cleaning up the F404 parts, and getting wings set up to finish. The leading edge skin will be cut to allow for larger fuel tanks, waiting on a few parts from Van's for that. Also will put reinforcement in for inboard aileron hinge per SB.

 

[PropMan]

Should have the F404 done in a day or two

 

[Taltruda]

I have seen and worked on several RVs with a plenum.. every one with a plenum has cooling issues. Plus it’s a PITA to work on the engine and service those upper plugs.. I won’t ever consider a plenum to be an upgrade. Save your self time, and weight, use the standard baffling!

 

[Daddyman58]

Third time is the charm, I hope!

I've started this project too many times not to finish, with the first two kits being sold for various reasons, and I keep getting sellers remorse. This one is gonna fly.

My mission has been refined to a point that make this 4 very old school with bits of Rocket.

Two main goals are:
Extremely light weight 850-875lbs Empty Weight!
Finish and fly in time for the 50th anniversary of the 4!

So far parts are being acquired and start date is April this year.

Basic RV4 airframe with minor deviations.
O320 built up nicely
42 gallon fuel
Fastback
Reduced wingspan
Titanium Tailspring
.016 control skins
No rear seat controls
F1 Rocket Sliding canopy
James aircraft Cowl, Plenum, wheel pants/farings
Performance Propeller
380/150/5 tires
No Alternator/
AV30E an Trig radio with iPad mini
Basic engine instruments
Minimalist paint and interior
Short gear

My driving force for this third attempt comes from the proposed MOSAIC rules, I've been flying LSA and have no desire to jump thru medical hoops anymore. Here we go!

Propman,
You will have one quick -4(Fantomsomething) if you build and hold to your design.
Go for it with gusto.
Daddyman58

 

[PropMan]

F404 just needs riveting!
Btw, it took 5oz mixed of akzo Nobel epoxy primer. That added approx 1.15oz weight once dried. Probably less due to spray loss. So, let's call it .75oz for primer weight.

 

[PropMan]

Lots happening today! Opening SA an see David Anders article on cooling, finished riveting F404 together and maiden flight for my Bearhawk LSA.
The article is very informative, made my head spin, hope to use some of the info on my 4 even tho I have a different mission. Waiting on some parts from Vans to finish up the wings. May build the fuse jig while I wait.