KirkGrovesRV8
Well Known Member
Did anyone eles happen to see the RV-8 in the latest RVator? Pretty cool stuff. Would love to see more pics of it.
A few years back a German guy build an RV-4RG after completing a straight leg RV-4.I bet it looks great in the air. But I wonder if it is really worth the extra weight and work.
If I remember correctly the RG was 80 lbs heavier and only 4 knots faster.
That about covers it!All rational (and true) objections aside - it sure does LOOK cool!!
The reworking of the fuel system must have been a nightmare.
....... The only airframe change I've made was the famous 'John Ammeter fuel pickup mod', which exempts my plane from all the mandatory fuel pickup notices.
I have some inside knowledge I guess on the retract 8 pictured in the Rvator. My father, Paul Lefever in Farmington, Missouri built it. It is his third completed RV, all of which came after rebuilding a Comanche, a Beech Musketeer (sp?) and building a new Stein Skybolt.
He obviously is a serial builder and is enjoying retirement. He always wanted a retract airplane........and now loves Vans kits so he went this route. As usual he had the airframe done in a year or less and spent the next 3 years building multiple different gear systems until he got the rig he liked.
Yes there were weight and balance questions, yes the tanks were moved outboard to make room for gear boxes, but most importantly the gear had to move back and then up.....so that the wheels actually set out in front of the wing when extended and sitting on the ground.......thus not altering the CG too much. They are hydraulic lifting with the exception of the inboard side of the gear doors which are for the time being manual. (he insisted on inboard and outboard gear doors so the gear is completely enclosed when retracted)
Yes it was worth the time and effort (to him as a dream plane) but not likely to most of us that are in a hurry to get'em flying.
PS. He received his RV12 wing kit last week......expects to build it as designed but you never know.