Show us the status of your 8/8A project!

[Foghorn]

Dan,

I didn?t think to mount it up and check it out first. I haven?t trimmed it yet so I?ll do that before I do trim it. The first step in the instructions is to trim the vertical but I skipped it. Now I can mount it and see hon much I need to remove.

Thanks for the tip.

 

[xblueh2o]

I have a recollection the desired angle ended up trimming about .75" from the nose. Some people have re-used the original Vans nose rib. I chose to make a new one from scratch for two reasons.
1. The fun and challenge of it.
2. It fit better than re-using the original one.

 

[DanH]

A Vans rib didn't fit right when tilted up, but it's very easy to hammerform a new one which does. Trim the VS skin, hold an MDF block against the edge, trace the shape, cut the block inside the line, sand till it fits loosely in the skin. Round the edge, cut a clamp block, and have at it.

 

[Foghorn]

The big cut fastback style.
upload my photo
Instrument panel - Carbon fiber looking vinyl. Still need to purchase 2 x GTR-200s and install the Stratus ESG.


Moving the ball down the field.

 

[Berchmans]

Location

I would also highly recommend moving the ELT Mounting forward into the baggage compartment as reaching is where it is currently shown will be very difficult once it's all closed up and the controls/battery is installed.

 

[Roo747]

officially and airplane

After 8 years and 8 months, it's officially an airplane!!

 

[Don Patrick]

Nice!

Great work Andrew! That?s how long it took me to build. I have over 90 hours now in my 8....just an awesome machine!

Are you doing the first flight?


Don

 

[Jpm757]

Congratulations! You will love the Zip Tips.

 

[Roo747]

Great work Andrew! That?s how long it took me to build. I have over 90 hours now in my 8....just an awesome machine!

Are you doing the first flight?


Don

Thanks Don, Yes, I'll be doing the first flight. I've flown with Mike Seager for about 12 hours and flew a friends RV6 recently for a bunch of circuits.

Pretty excited, just waiting on weather.

 

[Roo747]

Congratulations! You will love the Zip Tips.

They look amazing on the ground. will probably need to redo part of the brackets to get the landing light at a better angle for night work. That's down the road though.

 

[MDeCraene13]

My RV-8 Build

Started this summer on an RV-8. Sort of had QB empenage since I bought a partial kit. Working on the wing rear spars now.

https://mattdecraene.wixsite.com/website

 

[N546RV]

Temporarily rigged the elevator control system tonight. Still need to go back and put in the proper spacer washers, I'd thought maybe I could get away with just putting bolts through, but that makes for a ton of slop, which isn't going to work for getting the pushrods adjusted for proper stick position.

Of course, then I had to put in the front seatback, throw in a lawn chair cushion, and sit in there making airplane noises.

 

[goatflieg]

Been awhile since I contributed to this thread. I'm between blogspot updates, but thought I'd share a recent panoramic photo I took with my iPhone during initial cowling fitment.

 

[kentlik]

Been awhile since I contributed to this thread. I'm between blogspot updates, but thought I'd share a recent panoramic photo I took with my iPhone during initial cowling fitment.

Looking beautiful and well done. I find myself slogging forward in anticipation of a time when my -7A is as far along as this!

 

[Foghorn]

Still working on the FB canopy frame. Applying dry micro for sanding. Should I do the micro all the way up the insides or just smooth it out and skim the sides with epoxy?


I?ve got my little fiberglassing tent to stay around 70 degrees.


FB rear seat is getting closer to being ready for paint.


Look what showed up today! WW 200RV


Slowly coming together...OSH 2021 debut.

 

[N804RV]

I got the fuselage cleco'd together for the first time. Now adjusting/fitting upper longerons. Proving not to be as difficult as I'd feared.

 

[YvesCH]

I got the fuselage cleco'd together for the first time. Now adjusting/fitting upper longerons. Proving not to be as difficult as I'd feared.

Most of the "scary" items are not as difficult if you already know that they can be difficult. Take your time think/measure twice cut/drill once!

I am currently finishing my canopy and most of the "scary" Things were not that hard Back to work!

 

[N546RV]

I got the fuselage cleco'd together for the first time. Now adjusting/fitting upper longerons. Proving not to be as difficult as I'd feared.

You're fast approaching what was, for me, about the most demoralizing part of the build (so far). You go from "that's a big pile of parts" to "wow this looks like an AIRPLANE" and next thing you know, it's gone back to being a pile of parts again.

 

[DanH]

Still working on the FB canopy frame. Applying dry micro for sanding. Should I do the micro all the way up the insides or just smooth it out and skim the sides with epoxy?

Just skim with epoxy or whatever surface sealing method you choose. Mine was skimmed once to seal then sprayed with a few costs of K36.

Were I to build another, I'd add a few plies of carbon to the center crossbar web. The gas strut pushes hard toward the left side when closed, and the glass is low modulus. Although the left side may fit tight at this stage, it will gain a small gap later with the strut.

 

[Foghorn]

Just skim with epoxy or whatever surface sealing method you choose. Mine was skimmed once to seal then sprayed with a few costs of K36.

Were I to build another, I'd add a few plies of carbon to the center crossbar web. The gas strut pushes hard toward the left side when closed, and the glass is low modulus. Although the left side may fit tight at this stage, it will gain a small gap later with the strut.

To late, I did micro on the inside walls but once past the fiberglass it's pretty thin. At least it's easy to sand.....right?

I did use carbon on the center bulkhead. When I was test fitting the strut I noticed how the left side seems to fit better. I'll be glad when the canopy is done. It's very true that changes to the plans add time, lots of time for me.

Thanks for the advice!

Jeff

 

[Scott Hersha]

Jeff,
I think what Dan was recommending is what you did. Adding a couple layers of carbon to the cross brace web will pay benefits later. Adding layers of dry micro to the inside of the canopy skirts does nothing for you - just adds weight unnecessarily. Fill weave and pinholes with clear epoxy, then a couple shots of K36 and sand. Ready for primer and paint. You will love that Fastback canopy. There isn’t a more finished and custom look in the RV8 world. Plus the visibility (from the front seat) is unparalleled.

 

[Foghorn]

Big canopy cut complete. Covered it up to protect it better.


Still need to trim the sides a bit.

 

[MDeCraene13]

I have parts that look like a wing now

I did run into some challenges with my wing fixture, mainly where the skins overhang the outboard most rib. I was able to work around them though.

https://mattdecraene.wixsite.com/website

 

[walter]

Finally!

I built my RV-7A in approximately 2 years. This 8A build is a little long in the tooth in comparison. I ordered my ill-fated XP-400 in March 2015. The engine was returned to Superior and the case was sent to Barrett for a 390 conversion. 5 years since the original XP-400 was ordered Rhonda at Barrett delivered this beauty. Thank you Rhonda and team!

 

[walter]

Getting Closer - Prop Arrives

Prop has arrived. 74HRT from Whirlwind.

 

[laserman]

Time for her to vis the airport

STATUS : "Trailer time!!!"


After 18 winters.. She is ready to go to the EAA hanger at KFZY (OK maybe one more quick polish'ing")

Holy Watermelon Batman !

 

[DanH]

That's a fine lookin' airplane!

What is purpose of the small intake on the left side of the cowl?

 

[Foghorn]

That is a good looking panel. I?m having my panel cut right now by Bill at Up North Aviation. I really like those FlyLeds. I might have to sell my AeroLeds and sunspot landing/taxi lights.

 

[N546RV]

I really like the folding wingtips.

 

[Northernliving]

Wow, just wow. Nice looking plane(and panel!). What is the side cowl vent for?

 

[LifeofReiley]

Absolutely Beautiful Bird!

 

[laserman]

Side Intake

So the side air intake? . Installed SO LONG ago.. and maybe not needed...a tiny mistake.? I made so many... RV8?s have been known to be a bit chilly.. and drafty.. So I wanted to have the option for lots and lots of cold/warm/hot air.. So I have dual heater muffles with mixers ..on the exhaust pipes.. That side intakes feed the port side air system .

 

[Foghorn]

Still moving the ball down the field. I'm ready to have the Fastback canopy finished!!!

Ready for epoxy skim then primer. It's cold and rainy today but tomorrow looks good.


Started putting the gear together.


These lines were made for Matco brakes so they'll need to be shortened about 1 inch.


Instrument panel is getting cut this week by Up North Aviation.

 

[MIKE JG]

Finally off and running, first picture to share, rudder under construction.

 

[YvesCH]

I am currently paintinig but its just sooo much work.. after weeks of sanding days of wrapping.. spraying.. wrapping.. spraying.. sanding.. But it will look great and I am happy like crazy!

 

[Jetmart]

I am currently paintinig but its just sooo much work.. after weeks of sanding days of wrapping.. spraying.. wrapping.. spraying.. sanding.. But it will look great and I am happy like crazy!

Very Very nice! What colour blue is that?

 

[YvesCH]

Thank you. On the Pictures the clear coat is still missing so it will look even more intensive afterwards. The Blue is called San Marino Blue from BMW (code B51) a really beautiful intensive blue! In the sun it shines crazy and in the dark/ shadow its quite dark. The black is also slightly metallic..
I am so happy to see it now in colours

 

[EdH]

Beautiful work Yves - love that blue.

 

[Champ]

Yves, Great looking paint job! Multi colour with lots of curves - the taping and masking alone has got to be a labour of love. Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

 

[Karlo]

Yves, congrats. It is really amazing and a wonderful plane.
Hope to see it in next time und we can fly together.

 

[laserman]

First Engine run !! No Fires !!

She came out of the shop for the first time in 18 years..

Strapped to the ground...

NO oil or fuel leaks..

No fire on first start & while running..

Best is all the EIS display on the G3X all working and correct.. C/S prop even cycles...

And yes.. I should have moved the white bucket for the photo :>

Now if I can only get a reasonable insurance quote..

Video of first engine start...


https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c9wdDSUckxgZErlD16bVaQQ6Higv-ntj/view?usp=sharing




Al

 

[RV6_flyer]

RV-8 wings complete

Here is time lapse photography taken 1 image every 5-minutes and played back at 30 frames per second. 357-man hours of work in a 2-1/2 minute video.

Why did it take so long you ask? I moved over three or four states away from the location that I started. Did not touch the kit other than to move it around till I got settled.

 

[RV7ForMe]

Here is time lapse photography taken 1 image every 5-minutes and played back at 30 frames per second. 357-man hours of work in a 2-1/2 minute video.

Why did it take so long you ask? I moved over three or four states away from the location that I started. Did not touch the kit other than to move it around till I got settled.

cool video. thanks for sharing! about to start drilling away with the spars.... thanks for the motivation. Do you suggest doing both at the same time?

 

[Foghorn]

Finished the canopy back in March but didn't take any pics. Here it is back on to measure the rollbar.




Turned on all the avionics today. This is Tom the original kit owner. I pick him up every few weeks to come help with the build. He had to sell because of health reasons.


I started the cowling today. This is before doing any trimming or sanding.


This is where I stopped.


Moving right along....

 

[Foghorn]

More progress. Baffles next.



Still need to clean up the front around the spinner and more sanding.


Dang rivet gun slipped.

 

[Foghorn]

Working on the tail feathers. More progress...

 

[D Weisgerber]

 

[pilot_tender]

Almost done with the empennage!

(duplicate post from My RV Build Project page) New Video up assembling the Right Elevator, pretty straight forward, just lots of rivets! (200 in this video) Left Elevator videos should be out soon-ish, just falling behind on the editing hope you enjoy!


https://youtu.be/Du7VUvXJS1I

 

[pilot_tender]

Left Elevator work

almost done with the empennage!

https://youtu.be/7ooFFlWjWv8

 

[Mikeyb]

Skybolt progress

Fun picture