Overall Height

[Fearless]

I put the engine mount and nose gear leg on yesterday. I put the main gear legs on today. After I put the tires and wheels on I measured the height at the vertical stabilizer and I'm over the 7' 10" that Vans specs out. I don't have the engine and wings on so I'm guessing the plane will settling down some but mine will need to settle down about 6 inches.

Does this sound right?

 

[apkp777]

I was shocked how tall my -9 was when I put the gear on. When I installed the engine it really squatted down. I suspect yours will do the same.

 

[Greg Arehart]

Another thing to consider is that if you haven't moved the plane, then the legs don't get a chance to flex and allow the wheels to spread a bit. This (along with the extra weight of the engine) will cause everything to get a bit lower. Depending on the geometry, you could easily lose several inches from the top of the tail when the wheels spread a bit.

greg