Jeff & Jackie's RV-8 Project

Okay, so there's not much here yet! Be patient, this is a long-term project.

My wife Jackie and I started building a Vans RV-8 at the beginning of October 2005. We expect it to take around 5-6 years and cost NZ $180k or so. It'll likely sport a 180hp engine and fixed pitch prop, be night VFR capable with a glass panel as much as possible. Who knows yet, right? Keep coming back occassionally to see how we're getting on.

The RV-8 is a two seat, all aluminium, 200mph, aerobatic sports aircraft. Vans kits are simply superb and there's around 5000 of them flying, 600 or so of which are the RV-8/8A model. So the design is well proven.

Our building efforts are recorded online in our online construction log so I won't go into additional detail here. I will, from time to time, add a few pictures of major parts of the project as we progress.

Click thumbnail to see full size image

	Thursday, 29-September-2005 We received the empennage kit in two large boxes. Shown in the picture is the contents of those boxes. It was exciting and overwhelming all at the same time. It had already taken us 166 hours and some $12,000 to create a fully equipped workshop ready for building!
	Monday, 26-December-2005 Three months and 155 hours later we have completed the empennage ... and here it is. Actually, it isn't completely finished since we still need to add the fibreglass tips. The wing kit has been ordered (another ten grand!) and is due to arrive late Jan-2006.
	Monday, 21-February-2006 Finally, the shipping company delivered the wing kit on the third day that they promised. Anyway, here are a couple of pictures of the wing kit and the fuel tanks that I had built by Evans Aviation. These are the two fuel tanks with capacitive senders, aerobatic flop tubes and delux lockable fuel caps. Niiice!!
	Here we have the contents of the spar box: took two of us two and a half hours to inventory that lot (including counting all the items in all the bags (except rivets). We were missing a few minor items but I have emailed Vans and they will most likely send them out to us.
	The contents of the second box which was the wing tips, wings skins, lights, tubing, ribs, etc.
	And finally, here are the two fibreglass wing tips and some of the wing skins. After we unpacked and checked everything we put it all back again! Next job is to decide which wing to build since we have limited space and can only do one at a time. Then we get stuck in. Now, where are those plans...
	Check this out; a model of how our RV-8 might look! How cool is that I say 'might' because obviously things might change during the build. Example: we have faired wing tip lights, not the ones stuck on the end, and the blue may be a deeper metallic. We might also be going fastback. Still - what a cool model! This model was made for me by CUSTOMAIRMODELS and should ship to me real soon. I'll maybe update with newer photos when it arrives. This model will sit on my desk at work to provide incentive during those longer days...
	Wednesday, 04-October-2006 Okay, I'm a little late in posting this pic, since it was a couple of weeks ago. And in actual fact, the wing kit is not complete, since I'm still working on the ailerons and flaps. Nonetheless, the wings themselves are completed, which is neat. You may also have noticed the change from RV-8A to RV-8 in our website: yep, we're going with the taildragger! I ordered my seats from Classic Aero on Friday (20th October 2006). Six weeks from now I intend to order the fuselage kit from Vans.
	Tuesday, 02-January-2007 Finally, we finished the wings, and here they are stored in our living room! I had to throw out one of the armchairs to make room, which means I've also had to promised Jackie a new 3pc suite once the plane is built! The workshop is now ready to be cleaned and prepped for the fuselage build. The fuselage kit, Classic Aero seats, Grove airfoil undercarriage, & Tom Clark fastback kit shipment is due to leave Vans Aircraft on 29th January. I'll post pics heer and in Kitlog when the shipment arrives. Exciting stuff
	Wednesday, 21-March-2007 After nearly three months of waiting the RV-8 pre-punched fuselage kit arrives. I had also ordered a load of other gear at the same time, so three boxes arrived with everything in; one small one and two big ones. Shown here is the contents of the smallest box.
	Thursday, 22-March-2007 This picture shows the hundreds of parts from the first of the two larger boxes. Yee Gads! What have I let myself in for?
	Friday, 23-March-2007 Here is a picture of the Grove aluminium airfoil landing gear legs. These were something of a last minute addition to the shipment. Lighter and sexier than the stock Vans gear, and no need to make fibreglass fairings for them. They're so cool I'm thinking of having them polished!
	Friday, 23-March-2007 Classic Aero RV-8 seat package. Not shown, but also included, are stick boots, arm rests, rear seat headrest & booster cushions. These are superbly made and I am very, very happy with them. They are going to look sooo good in the RV-8..!
	Saturday, 01-December-2007 I finally received my Todd RV-8 Canopy. Slightly tinted; just right! Very happy I am too
	Wednesday, 23-April-2008 Received the RV-8 finish kit today. This pic shows the contents. Sorry about the shadows. The kit did not include the canopy (I already have that) or gear leg fairings (don't need 'em with the Grove airfoil gear). The canopy frame will need to be modified for the Tom Clark fastback canopy mod.