What's new
Van's Air Force

The definitive Van's Aircraft support community! Buying, building or flying an RV? Join our exclusive family of mentors and enthusiasts!

3D Model of an RV-8

I also would be interested in an RV 3D model (although I'm looking for a 9A). I haven't found anything great that I'd use to make custom parts / planning. I've come across 3D printing STL's but they're barely suitable for making small models to paint let alone rely on for accurate dimensions.

I hope someone more knowledgeable on this forum can point us in the right direction =)

-Mike N
 
Perhaps an entity with one of the high dollar 3D scanners can show up at AirVenture or Sun' n Fun? Can probably scan an example of every RV model that way and by the time they scale it down to a model size, the point cloud would be awfully tight with minimal CAD clean-up required? If we're just printing models, the fidelity doesn't have to be any better than layer thickness on a 3D printer, right? I'd be willing to pay a few dollars if I can get an stl or STEP of what I'm building.
 
I just got the files. Let the printing begin. 🎯 Does anyone have any pictures to add and show off their prints complete. Anyone paint them?
 
Last edited:
I printed the RV-8 a year ago or so. In PLA the gear are weak and splayed after some time when the model is resting on them. If mounted on a stand/pylon it would be fine. Other than that good.
 
Got my model painted it to match most of my plan for my plane. Ordered SLA slik+ so when the materials get here I will print and post. Picture is one I modified with my paint scheme.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1994.jpeg
    IMG_1994.jpeg
    1.8 MB · Views: 166
  • IMG_0312.jpeg
    IMG_0312.jpeg
    709.8 KB · Views: 158
Nice model
Fly594 said:
Got my model painted it to match most of my plan for my plane. Ordered SLA slik+ so when the materials get here I will print and post. Picture is one I modified with my paint scheme.
Click to expand...
nice mod and model...here is a few pics of the real DB2 😀
 

Attachments

  • IMG_3192.jpeg
    IMG_3192.jpeg
    3.9 MB · Views: 69
  • IMG_2935.jpeg
    IMG_2935.jpeg
    2.2 MB · Views: 66
Absolutely Beautiful airplane Doug. I would love to call you and talk RV-8 language if you don’t mind.
 
Fly594 said:
Absolutely Beautiful airplane Doug. I would love to call you and talk RV-8 language if you don’t mind.
Click to expand...
Happy to help and chat in any way I can help.
This weekend better than this week from a work standpoint
Cell 231-239-3621
 
IMG_4292.jpeg
I've spent WAY too much time tinkering with this thing but I went down this road a while ago. Modified the Dimville model into a fastback so that I can tinker with paint schemes. It's nice to have a 3-D representation of a concept to look at for a while. It's tricky to print well and takes a fair bit of time to do.
 
Wow that looks awesome. Worth the time for sure. Nice work and thank you for sharing. 🎯👍🏻👍🏻 Love that pant scheme too very classy.
 
Finally got some material and learned how to do some multi color printing. Going well I would say. PLA silk+
 

Attachments

  • IMG_2252.jpeg
    IMG_2252.jpeg
    2.5 MB · Views: 65
storm_pilot said:
View attachment 106747
I've spent WAY too much time tinkering with this thing but I went down this road a while ago. Modified the Dimville model into a fastback so that I can tinker with paint schemes. It's nice to have a 3-D representation of a concept to look at for a while. It's tricky to print well and takes a fair bit of time to do.
Click to expand...
Hi Jeremy,
How did you do the fastback modifications? I am familiar with fusion 360, and previously purchased another 3D model, but it was in a mesh format, and proved to be difficult to modify.
 
AussieRV8 said:
Hi Jeremy,
How did you do the fastback modifications? I am familiar with fusion 360, and previously purchased another 3D model, but it was in a mesh format, and proved to be difficult to modify.
Click to expand...
The Dimville model is also in a mesh format. I used Onshape to basically cut the model apart where needed then create profile sketches at the edges of the cut sections and created new parts between by lofting. After that you can boolean the parts back together (if you're lucky). It's fiddly to get it all to work and not as easy to accomplish as stated above. I'm still tinkering with removing the bow from the canopy section in such a way that doesn't result in visible lines after printing.

Screenshot 2026-01-18 at 07.07.50.png
 
storm_pilot said:
The Dimville model is also in a mesh format. I used Onshape to basically cut the model apart where needed then create profile sketches at the edges of the cut sections and created new parts between by lofting. After that you can boolean the parts back together (if you're lucky). It's fiddly to get it all to work and not as easy to accomplish as stated above. I'm still tinkering with removing the bow from the canopy section in such a way that doesn't result in visible lines after printing.

View attachment 107496
Click to expand...
Thanks. Feels like that's in the too hard basket. Easier to sell the fastback and get a regular RV8!
 
storm_pilot said:
The Dimville model is also in a mesh format. I used Onshape to basically cut the model apart where needed then create profile sketches at the edges of the cut sections and created new parts between by lofting. After that you can boolean the parts back together (if you're lucky). It's fiddly to get it all to work and not as easy to accomplish as stated above. I'm still tinkering with removing the bow from the canopy section in such a way that doesn't result in visible lines after printing.

View attachment 107496
Click to expand...
Wow Nice work 👍🏻
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top