04 Sep 2004 New tank attach brackets F-863
The original tank brackets didn't fit, as you may have seen in an earlier article. Not sure why, and neither was Van's. The solution was to make some new ones, and luckily for me, Van's...
Fuselage
19 Aug 2004 Electric Aileron Trim install
Here are a couple of pictures showing the electric aileron trim installation. This was very straightforward. The only goof up I did on this was to mix up the two templates, and drilled some unnecessary...
25 Jul 2004 Static ports
The Van's static air kit is pretty simple, but rather elegant. The external ports are pop rivets that you just push out the mandrel, and glue into the fuselage with RTV. Van's says to drill...
22 Jul 2004 Fuel Vent lines
Got the fuel vent lines installed. This was my first experience bending aluminum tubing, and it was pretty easy. I used one of those spring type sleeves that slide over the outside of the tube...
22 Jun 2004 Removing Canopy Scratches
Q: Greetings all, Installed the painted canopy and removed all the protective coatings today. Despite taking precautions I've got some pretty noticable scratches. Some are light , like chaff marks and others are scratches you can...
21 Jun 2004 Finish Kit Arrival
My finish kit arrived from Van's, along with Paolo's tail kit, Emmett's battery and tires, and my two Odyssey PC680 batteries. All unpacked, inventoried, and shelved, for now. There are many very nice parts in there....
17 Jun 2004 Roll Bar
Bolting on the roll bar, I find that one side has a bit of a gap, about 1/8 inch, as you can see from the photos below. I wonder if I can just continue to drill...
30 May 2004 Elevator Belcrank installed
Not too interesting, but I did get the elevator belcrank installed. It's nice to put things on that I don't plan on removing again! Notice the stylish green Akzo Nobel epoxy primer. Only the best,...
15 May 2004 deburring the canopy edges
--> RV-List message posted by: Doug Gray Here is a post from 5 years ago. It was a keeper then and I repost for the benefit of this discussion. Do not archive ...
03 May 2004 Rear Seat
Getting the rear seat/baggage area door done was not too difficult. I got sent two left sides instead of a left and right, and after that got straightened out, it was just a matter of...
07 Apr 2004 Firewall penetration
It's been recommended to use special "eyeballs" like these when penetrating the firewall. This is a page from the Avery Tools catalog. Click on the image for a larger version. Update: 20210918 - strongly recommend using...
06 Apr 2004 Canopy Skirt Sealing
From Scott B: For those of you who are building and want a perfect canopy skirt fit, don't forget, liquid shim, which is epoxy with flox to a thick paste. Mask off the fuse apply the...
04 Apr 2004 Grove Landing Gear
I ordered the landing gear for my RV8 from Grove Aircraft because they are lighter, they are aerodynamic, eliminating the need for fairings, and they include the brake "line" inside the gear. They cost a bit...
01 Apr 2004 RV8A Rear Seat Brakes and Pedals
A fellow named Ray Parker designed and built these rear seat brakes and pedal. Looks pretty interesting. Esten Spears was kind enough to share these photos with us. Click on the pictures to make them bigger. I...
27 Mar 2004 Instrument Panel Access Port via Baggage Area
I'm not sure I will need it, but I've seen several builders cut an instrument panel access port in the forward baggage area. There are many that have done this, but I have not yet...
29 Feb 2004 Drilling pushrods
The pushrod ends need drilling to attach the necessary hardware. Here are a couple of pictures that show the drilling of the big fat elevator pushrod that goes in the rear. Can't recall F-number right...
28 Feb 2004 Jon Johanson RV seats
I bought some of the famed Jon Johanson seats for my RV from a fellow in Florida that decided he didn't want to use them. Since much of the cost of these seats is shipping...
28 Feb 2004 Dimpling floors
Not much to this article, just one of those photos that prove that I was actually involved in the construction of the airplane! :-) The C-frame for dimpling is a pretty useful tool, but for people...
27 Feb 2004 Floors and flap actuator
Update 20210918: There is a SB for the flap actuator from Van's: SB 07-4-12 The way I did this worked out fine. Only additional suggestion is to ensure enough space around the edges of the floor...
17 Feb 2004 Side consoles
Preparing the side consoles was pretty fun. Lots of holes to drill, and a couple of parts to make. I finished the right side, but not the left. The right was a bit tricky, since...
15 Feb 2004 Strange part F-885
Subject: Re: RV8-List: Extra part, HELP --> RV8-List message posted by: Jim Daniels > I am building an RV-8, installing engine and canopy, finish stuff. > In a box I found the fuselage gusset bag with...
11 Feb 2004 Rudder Cables
I'm not finished with the wings, but I've done as much as I can until I can get some stuff primed. I've decided to start on the fuselage, and if I understand the rather cryptic...
09 Nov 2003 invisible hinge oil door
From Dan Checkoway, some part numbers for an invisible hinge oil door. Really slick, and I wanted to make sure I could remember the trick, and the part numbers from http://www.mcmaster.com/. Dan has nice photos...
01 Oct 2003 Windscreen fiberglassing tips
dkerns91 wrote: Fellows, I am getting ready to start my windscreen fiberglassing. I feel a little intimidated but I know I can do it. I am ordering my materials from Wicks. I went to a boat...
25 Sep 2003 Grove Aircraft Company Gear Legs
RV-8 Airfoiled Lightweight Gear Airfoil Shaped For Low Drag Same Specifications As Our Standard RV-8 Gear Save 11 lbs. Over Stock Gear Material: 7075-T651 Weight: 15.0 lbs Per Leg Axle Type: Cleveland 500x5 P/N 1219-1 Price:...