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Help. RV's used in any military setting in any country?

Kahuna

Kahuna

Moderatoring
Im trying to run down information on the use of any RV in any military/government setting for any purpose at all.

Im aware of the Nigerian AF use of the modified 6A, but in particular im looking for other examples. Where it be one RV-8 purchased to testing, used as a test bed, training, evaluation, or whatever.

Im simply in need of finding other examples of any kind.

If you know of an example, please respond here.
Thanks
 
Why.................?

Kahuna,

Why give the DHS, the TSA, and who knows what others any reason to go looking at RV's militarily?

Why would it not be in all our best interests if you deleted this thread?

Barney, in Memphis
RV-3 & -4 flying
 
Interesting question

I for one am very interested in the results.

I proposed to use my RV8 as a Low Slow Flyer target for my squadrons training. It would have been approved except I would have had to install a TACAN capable of Air-to-Air mode as a safety measure and that was cost prohibitive to me.


The DHS, TSA do not need VAF to think of this stuff - hence the permanent TFRs located throughout various parts or our country...
 
RV8R999 said:
I for one am very interested in the results.

I proposed to use my RV8 as a Low Slow Flyer target for my squadrons training. It would have been approved except I would have had to install a TACAN capable of Air-to-Air mode as a safety measure and that was cost prohibitive to me.


The DHS, TSA do not need VAF to think of this stuff - hence the permanent TFRs located throughout various parts or our country...
Click to expand...

Would that be in accordance with your Ops Limitations, or do you have to get some sort of waiver?
 
L'Avion said:
Kahuna,

Why give the DHS, the TSA, and who knows what others any reason to go looking at RV's militarily?

Why would it not be in all our best interests if you deleted this thread?

Barney, in Memphis
RV-3 & -4 flying
Click to expand...

Just imagine what could happen to Van's cost structure and economies of scale if some small countries military ordered a thousand RV-8s for training. We would all benefit.
 
az_gila said:
Would that be in accordance with your Ops Limitations, or do you have to get some sort of waiver?
Click to expand...

My Ops Lim do not mention flying as a Target for US Navy training so I'm not sure what waiver I would need? Consider it a day of formation and tail-chase between two or more aircraft over territorial waters off the coast. There was never going to be any compensation for the effort other than getting my squadron trained quicker and with less headaches.
At the time I was the CO of the squadron and we were within 1 year of our first combat deployment. Each of my 45 pilots needed to be trained and qualified for a certain mission set. Unfortunately I did not have direct control of the aircraft normally used as a target (T-34C) and it was very high in demand by other agencies. The idea was to use my RV8, pay for the gas myself, and get this huge training monkey off my back so we could concentrate on bigger fish. My boss felt the safety margins were too narrow without some way to positively ensure safe separation (even though the training was DAY VMC with pre-briefed intercepts), and wanted me to install TACAN AIR-2-AIR which was WAY too expensive for this purpose and a show stopper. My other option was to have an E-2 airborne during the training but this was as difficult as getting the original T-34C - show stopper #2. A totally random out of the blue encounter between an RV8 and squadron aircraft may or may not have occurred however.... forgiveness is far easier than permission :)

I suppose if a country had no military airpower what-so-ever a RV would be better than nothing but as soon as any mission equipment or ordnance capability were added the performance would drop off dramatically due to weight. A primary trainer would probably be the best role. my .02 only.
 
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Piranha

I think the 1966 American Electric Piranha was proof that an RV type aircraft was capable. Sure like to see more about that airplane.
 
We have an RV in a military setting here in Indiana (no comments on foreign, okay?) It is being used for training--training National Guard troops here at the Patriot Academy how to build an airplane. They are only a few weeks into the program, but it has been reviewed by the National Commander of the N.G. I hope favorably, but that report hasn't been issued. It is drawing some attention, and the soldiers are really doing a great job.

It may happen that this or another RV-12 that they will build may be used for promotional purposes. Not exactly combat or even training, but I would be proud, anyway. They will have a website up on this soon and I will post it here.

Bob
 
Rvs in the military

Great aircraft for primary training! I said it long time ago specially giving small and or budget limited countries a way to start both manufacturing, maintenance and affordable pilot training!
 
mv031161 said:
Great aircraft for primary training! I said it long time ago specially giving small and or budget limited countries a way to start both manufacturing, maintenance and affordable pilot training!
Click to expand...

Yep, if I were Secretary of The AirForce of some small country, I'd definitely look into having my mechanic's school build RV8's and use those as primary trainers/weed out airplanes. Seems wasteful that USAF/USN/USMC use turbine aircraft as primary trainers, though I understand why.
 
SportAvServ said:
Experientials have been used for military purposes. Here is one that didn't end well but he was flying an experimental for the military.

http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?do=main.textpost&id=227ec07f-1334-4c8d-8916-ec134dce587b#d
Click to expand...

I was thinking about this one operated by Raytheon that also did not end well.

http://dms.ntsb.gov/aviation/AccidentReports/3vx13e45ykwpuk55fpaarh551/Q05082012120000.pdf

We never did find out how Raytheon was operating an Amateur Built commercially and the company clamped down on any internal discussion...

I think it would be this bit - quoted of the FAA web site - that might be in question -

Special airworthiness certificates may be issued in the experimental category for: Operating amateur-built aircraft: to operate an amateur-built aircraft in which the major portion has been fabricated and assembled by persons for their own recreation or education.

Sounds like being a target is actually for someone else's 'recreation or education'...:)
 
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