RV-7A construction begins

[BingWing]

SOLD BIll !! Tell you what, if you scale it on my full size I will even take you flying ! No 3D sorry ! and you will need to come down to dingo baby eating crok land....beer is super cold....girls are super hot !

[astrohog]

Is it done yet??

Astro

[Flyfalcons]

Here are a few pictures of what I have done so far. Although the vertical fin is a very simple structure, it's taking me a bit of time to get through, as all of the processes are brand new to me and I am taking my time to make sure I'm doing it right. I'm pretty lazy, so to avoid doing everything twice I'm putting in the effort to do it right once. Doesn't mean I won't make mistakes; I'm just hoping to minimize the mistakes I do make. As of now all of the parts have been match-drilled, deburred, and dimpled. When I get home from my trip I'll be cleaning the parts and priming the skeleton parts and internal rivet lines on the skin with some self-etching primer. It's cold outside so I'll be needing to build a small paint booth in my garage to hang the parts in and shoot the primer. After that the fin will be riveted together and set aside as I move on to the next part. Also shown is the organizing bins I'm using for the different hardware parts - should make them easy to find later when I need them.

I do have to say that this newer, prepunched kit has made putting the parts together nearly brainless. Much respect to those who build their RVs by jigging and measuring everything before drilling any holes.

[sweetpea]

If you are building this in your garage, where/how will you get it to the airport for the flying?

[JohnVH]

In assemblies. Seen a new RV10 up here in a hangar, wings in a cradle, kinda like an arf!

Hurry up Ryan, I want a ride.

[Flyfalcons]

The fuse will be transported with the wings detached, and final assembly can be accomplished at the airport.

[Flyfalcons]

Oh, this is the reason that I am really not excited about nosewheel gear on this plane. I may change to tailwheel gear; we'll see. I have plenty of time to think about it as the plane can be built in either configuration until I order the Fuselage kit. (the video is mislabeled; that is a -7A)

YouTube - RV6A flip at Croft Farm fly-in

[sweetpea]

Tail draggers are cooler anyways

[JohnVH]

cant tell what happened there.. It break off?

You ever flown a TG Sam?

[sweetpea]

Actually, now that I think about it......Nope, I have not. Only Trike gear.

[vwchad]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Flyfalcons
	Here are a few pictures of what I have done so far. Although the vertical fin is a very simple structure, it's taking me a bit of time to get through, as all of the processes are brand new to me and I am taking my time to make sure I'm doing it right. I'm pretty lazy, so to avoid doing everything twice I'm putting in the effort to do it right once. Doesn't mean I won't make mistakes; I'm just hoping to minimize the mistakes I do make. As of now all of the parts have been match-drilled, deburred, and dimpled. When I get home from my trip I'll be cleaning the parts and priming the skeleton parts and internal rivet lines on the skin with some self-etching primer. It's cold outside so I'll be needing to build a small paint booth in my garage to hang the parts in and shoot the primer. After that the fin will be riveted together and set aside as I move on to the next part. Also shown is the organizing bins I'm using for the different hardware parts - should make them easy to find later when I need them. I do have to say that this newer, prepunched kit has made putting the parts together nearly brainless. Much respect to those who build their RVs by jigging and measuring everything before drilling any holes.

Don't worry about speed on this build. Take your time. It took my dad 7 years to build his RV-4. He had an early kit without the predrilled spars, skins, and rib lightening holes. A lot more work than the new kits. Also, when it comes to priming those parts, in case you didn't already know, make sure you alodine them first then just use a rattle can zinc chromate primer (usually the green or yellow stuff). More than enough protection that way.

Also, in you later post you mention that you may go tail dragger.....DO IT ! Don't let it intimidate you. The RV's are way easy taildraggers. People get all freaked out over it but I have heard from more than a handfull of RV pilots that are amazed at the ground handling characteristics of these planes. They are absolutely top notch in that department, and many others .

[JohnVH]

I dont think a taildragger intimidates Ryan, he is the best pilot I have ever flown with. He wanted the trike for the better view while on the ground I believe..