Van's Air Force

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Ready for Wings!

Ironflight

VAF Moderator / Line Boy
Mentor
The past couple of days were spent on small FWF tasks on our F1 project - riveting baffle seals, securing the main wire bundle behind the engine mount, and cleaning up a secondary GPS antenna mount that lives under the cowling. That was all in preparation for the “big move” - we are creating space in the fabrication area of the hop for the arrival of Louise’s RV-15 wing kit, so the Rocket got to go to the “assembly bay”. That meant banishing (uhhh….never make a Valkyrie angry, so let’s saying “promoting”) the RV-8 from its normal spot in the shop to the main hangar (after sending the Tundra to winter quarters at Big Bear to make room). This not only gives the big workbenches over to the -15, it puts the Rocket in the spot to get her wings! We’ll get started on that after the road trip to Aurora to get Louise’s kit, then a couple of days helping her inventory that. I’m looking forward to seeing the Rocket with actual lifting surfaces attached, then getting into that final finishing list….

Of course, there is the usual angst regarding “will the wing spars fit into the fuselage”, but it’s a QB, and that generally works out. Note that the top cowl isn’t in position here - its just setting on top for the move.

IMG_7856.jpeg
 
If I wait patiently, the answer will likely present itself, but I have to ask: are these a newer tapered wing or are they what was at one point called the "sport" wing?
 
If I wait patiently, the answer will likely present itself, but I have to ask: are these a newer tapered wing or are they what was at one point called the "sport" wing?
Sport wings - the left one is there in front of the big shop door. The tapered wings from Vince are not yet available (that I know of), and the EVO wings are rare as hens teeth….
 
Peanut M&Ms are essential for quality aircraft building. Paul, I'm glad to see that you have the necessary sustenance on your table.
 
Peanut M&Ms are essential for quality aircraft building. Paul, I'm glad to see that you have the necessary sustenance on your table.
Peanut M&M’s and I have a long history of…. In Mission Control, a bag of M&M’s was how long my simulation debriefs lasted - and if the day had been full of challenging lessons, I coudl make that bag last a LONG time…..🤣
 
That M&M container cracks me up. My wife brought a container with M&M's out to the hangar when I first started my build that looks just like that one. Refilled frequently from the big jugs from Costco.

Oh, and the airplane looks great too Paul :-)
 
Of course, there is the usual angst regarding “will the wing spars fit into the fuselage”, but it’s a QB, and that generally works out.
I remembered that angst for about eight months, finishing up a partially built RV4 kit that I bought, wondering if it would all be for naught. They fit just fine, and the plain flies great. I enjoy following your build.
 
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