Greetings! I thought I'd share some pics of my standard-build (non-quickbuild) RV-8 project from start to flying status. It took me thirty months of dedicated building effort to get it ready for inspection and first flight. I hope that new or prospective RV builders can learn something from this site, and see the process of taking many crates of parts and converting them into a flying airplane. No, it is NOT for the faint of heart. It WILL take at least two years of your free time, a small (OK, not very small, but manageable) pile of money, and the support of your family. Yes, it is absolutely the most wonderful flying airplane I have ever experienced. I am truly proud of my accomplishment and still can't quite comprehend that it flies so well and gives me such joy. Nothing in life that is truly worthwhile is easy. Building an airplane is not easy. It IS a learning experience and an evolution in patience and maturity for most folks. If you can follow directions, think in a logical, clear and reasonable manner, and not cause great injury to yourself, the dog, the house or the neighborhood with hand and power tools, you can do it! Read on...

Some questions that new builders may have that I can answer right here are:
* Tools: AVERY...none better! Highest quality sheet metal tools and RV gadgets. Customer service is beyond compare.
* How much room will I need?: You can't GET enough room. You can start in a bedroom, and this has been done! But, once the wing kit arrives, the project get's rather large. My shop is 25 feet square, with gas heating and a/c. I would not recommend anything less than a two-car garage sized area for wing and fuselage construction.
* Accessories: A metal cutting bandsaw is not needed for the tail kit. It is mighty nice to have for the wing kit. For the fuselage kit...a MUST. A drill press is used mostly for fly cutter operations, and tubing drilling in a centering fixture. You can get by without it, but a benchtop unit doesn't cost much, and will improve your accuracy. Wood working tools such as a circular saw, hammer, carpenter's square and spirit level, etc. are used often for jig fabrication. You will be working with a lot of wood, so at least borrow these tools if you don't want to buy them.
*Comfort and ergonomic ammenities: LOTS of lighting will reduce eye fatigue. Environment control with at least a fan to move air, and heating/cooling of some sort will greatly improve your comfort level. You will be in there for perhaps two thousand hours of your life. Why not be comfortable? A stereo is great if, like me, you find good music to be motivating. The bottom line here, make this place EXACTLY as you want it to be. Take the time to personalize it, hang pictures of completed RV's, your children, or your sweetie....people and things that make you smile! There are times during the construction of an RV that you'll wonder WHY you're going through this. It can, at times be very trying, and some days are better than others. It's those days when you stand back, and admire a finished part and get a great feeling in your soul...this is MY airplane coming to life...that makes it all so very worthwhile.
* Primer: Du Pont Variprime. Not cheap, but excellent stuff. (It has an olive drab color, like early military zinc chromate.) Marhyde is also excellent in both spray can and premixed quarts and gallons. (I'm using Marhyde exclusively on the fuselage interior. It's has a light grey semi-gloss finish that is durable and very attractive. In fact, I'm not going to apply any finish paint over it. Why add extra weight?)
* How long will it take me?: Two years by yourself, with lot's of discipline and helping hands from family or a building buddy. One year if you have no life. *laughing*.

OK, enough for now. Here are some pics to give you an idea of what goes into building an RV. Why did I choose the RV8? I like the way it looks, and the centerline seating. ALL of Van's Designs are excellent! Just pick the model that best suits your needs.

The Tail Kit

For pics of the wing kit...
The Wing Kit
For pics of the fuselage kit...
The Fuselage Kit
For second page of fuselage pics...
The Fuselage Kit, page two

For third page of fuselage pics...
The Fuselage Kit, page three

For fourth page of fuselage/finish kit pics...
The Fuselage Kit, page four

For fifth page of fuselage/finish kit pics...
The Fuselage Kit, page five

For sixth page of fuselage/finish kit pics...
The Fuselage Kit, page six

For pics of the inspection and first flight!...
Inspection and first flight

In-flight pics from the back seat!...
Flying pics

The paint job!...
RV8 paint

For pics of the leather interior installation...
The interior installation

The creator of it all...
Van's Aircraft, Inc.

© 1997 akroguy@hotmail.com