Hello,
By way of introduction, I am an RV-4 builder in Northern California. Like those on this particular list, I believe the -4 to be Van's best design. That is all except for the tilt up canopy. To that end, my building partner and I have set about doing a new kit (#4446) with a slider. We're working on the canopy now.
In my opinion the RV-4 is WAY too hard to build in it's current configuration (a bunch of aluminum and some drawings that are often contradictory).
I too have inquired as to why Van's won't consider reverse engineering those incredibly confusing 25+ year old RV-4 plans to 'accomodate the market that would opt to purchase a QB-4 over the -8'? Answer is the -8 is a replacement for the -4 (and a better airplane overall for the mission) so there are few actual customers. In short, Van's doesn't feel there would be much real demand for a QB -4, and the cost to turn it into a QB is, as I understand it, prohibitive.
His plane, not mine, so even if I had ton's of $$$ to try turning out QB-4's.... not my plane to start with. The whole design just can't be re-done.
But what about just a new, sleek, -8 style design for a Sliding RV-4 Canopy??? I wonder if there is any real interest, or is it just me?
So here's my question to the -4 community. If there were good (canopy only) plans, or if you could order as an option, a complete slider canopy to slap on your RV-4, how many potential builders / buyers of this particular complete(d) kit might there be???
Anyway.....Howdy! Glad to be a part of the group!
Ron
N8ZD (reserved)
[email protected]
By way of introduction, I am an RV-4 builder in Northern California. Like those on this particular list, I believe the -4 to be Van's best design. That is all except for the tilt up canopy. To that end, my building partner and I have set about doing a new kit (#4446) with a slider. We're working on the canopy now.
In my opinion the RV-4 is WAY too hard to build in it's current configuration (a bunch of aluminum and some drawings that are often contradictory).
I too have inquired as to why Van's won't consider reverse engineering those incredibly confusing 25+ year old RV-4 plans to 'accomodate the market that would opt to purchase a QB-4 over the -8'? Answer is the -8 is a replacement for the -4 (and a better airplane overall for the mission) so there are few actual customers. In short, Van's doesn't feel there would be much real demand for a QB -4, and the cost to turn it into a QB is, as I understand it, prohibitive.
His plane, not mine, so even if I had ton's of $$$ to try turning out QB-4's.... not my plane to start with. The whole design just can't be re-done.
But what about just a new, sleek, -8 style design for a Sliding RV-4 Canopy??? I wonder if there is any real interest, or is it just me?
So here's my question to the -4 community. If there were good (canopy only) plans, or if you could order as an option, a complete slider canopy to slap on your RV-4, how many potential builders / buyers of this particular complete(d) kit might there be???
Anyway.....Howdy! Glad to be a part of the group!
Ron
N8ZD (reserved)
[email protected]