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!
Avery Tools
- Thread starter Berchmans
- Start date
Aren't they just standard 1/4-28 threaded drill bits? Those are easy to find.
Yup, totally standard. You can get them from ACS, ATS, Brown, Cleaveland...
Not well publicized... type in Avery in Aircraft Spruce search box.
Not well known... Bob Avery fabricated an all new steel tube canopy frame for the RV-1 (original had so many holes drilled in it was impossible to attach a new canopy)
And we all agree... Bob Avery and his family represent the best of the best in every way.
Fond memories from days past.
I was just looking at Bob’s canopy frame again when I was at EAA HQ last week (when I am there during off hours, the powers-that-be let me touch it….). If I had 10% of Bob’s welding skills, I’d be happy…..
Bob Avery, grade A badass (2nd from end on the right). RV-1 getting loved up at Jay Pratt's 'RV Central' back in 2012.
Filling in a few gaps...
RV-1 Original Canopy Frame
Bob Avery with Gary Hunter, Crew Chief for Bruce Bohannon's Flyin' Tiger AKA "The Shell Answer Man" and "Glue Guru".
Layup of a fiberglass canopy skirt on Bob's new canopy frame (original was sheet metal) presented some unique challenges and Gary Hunter volunteered for the task.
Gary Hunter performing his magic...
Finished Product
Remember, To Van, weight was always at the forefront. Hence, all those "lightning holes" in the canopy frame!
As I recal Ernie, we also sometimes referred to Gary as “the U-Boat Commander” as well….
I s I understudy it, I am still benefitting from his work because I was told he did the glass for the F1’s!
I s I understudy it, I am still benefitting from his work because I was told he did the glass for the F1’s!
Jerry Fischer
Well Known Member
Gee, y'all looked so young back then...who took the picture?...Carol Beth?...
