Van's Air Force
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RV-4 Rudder parts
- Thread starter Aden Rich
- Start date
Sam Buchanan
been here awhile
The rudder parts are still available from Vans, at least they were last year...same rudder as the original small version of the RV-6 rudder.
climbak
Member
If you're not in a hurry, I'll have some combination of tail parts, including rudder sometime in the future. I'm rebuilding my 4 into a fastback so I need to make some changes to the tail. I have an unbuilt tail, but I haven't yet decided what exactly I want to do so it'll be a little bit before I can tell you what exactly I'll have available.
Throw a RV8 tail on it. That is what some of the Rocket guys have put on the original Rocket instead of the RV4 tail.
Sam Buchanan
been here awhile
But the Rockets have a six-cylinder engine hanging on the other end of the airframe. The RV-4 doesn't need to have the CG moved aft if carrying a passenger is planned.
This is some thread drift, but if you hang a 180hp engine and a constant speed prop, you added 70+ pounds on the nose. A 160hp and wood prop would be an issue for an RV-8 tail.
Things to consider that make the moment arm swing alot is getting a lighter weight tail wheel, ditching the sash chains and heavy springs. That can free up a few pounds which can easily be 10-15lbs in the moment arm.
Heavier skins (.020) and some extra counter balance weight on the rudder part can be offset.
A Fast back RV-4 with an RV-8 tail would be cool.
Things to consider that make the moment arm swing alot is getting a lighter weight tail wheel, ditching the sash chains and heavy springs. That can free up a few pounds which can easily be 10-15lbs in the moment arm.
Heavier skins (.020) and some extra counter balance weight on the rudder part can be offset.
A Fast back RV-4 with an RV-8 tail would be cool.
