Van's Air Force
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N189DK RV-8 Fastback
- Thread starter Falcon
- Start date
Well done, sir!
Doug,
Nice looking pane, congratulation on completely your project! I'm at the beginning stages of considering an RV8 FB for myself. Do you have any photos of the FB conversion in the build stage? What was in solved in adapting the canopy frame to the FB? Did you simply modify Van's stock kit frame?
Jeff
Nice looking pane, congratulation on completely your project! I'm at the beginning stages of considering an RV8 FB for myself. Do you have any photos of the FB conversion in the build stage? What was in solved in adapting the canopy frame to the FB? Did you simply modify Van's stock kit frame?
Jeff
canopy frame RV-8 fastback
I built the canopy frame and windscreen rollbar from scratch. It was quite a project but I didn't like the way Tom Clark had done it. The canopy has dual latches and dual rear hold down pins, which makes it very secure. It's a lot more work than the showplane version but I like it.
Doug
I built the canopy frame and windscreen rollbar from scratch. It was quite a project but I didn't like the way Tom Clark had done it. The canopy has dual latches and dual rear hold down pins, which makes it very secure. It's a lot more work than the showplane version but I like it.
Doug
Doug Lewis
Well Known Member
Great Job! I like how well the canopy flows with the turtle deck. Did you make the fuselage formers as well? I'd also like to see build pics.
Doug,
Photos would be great. If you wish, you can also email me directly at [email protected].
Seems like Tom is no longer making FB kits, but I was able to secure one from another VAF member -- tuttle deck formers, skins, directions and a CD.
From what I understand, one can simply modify a stock Van's canopy frame or come up with something else. Sounds/looks like your solution worked out well. I like the idea of having locks on both sides rather than one. Did you also incorporate some type of quick/emergency release mechanism?
Looking forward to seeing what/how you did yours...
Jeff
Photos would be great. If you wish, you can also email me directly at [email protected].
Seems like Tom is no longer making FB kits, but I was able to secure one from another VAF member -- tuttle deck formers, skins, directions and a CD.
From what I understand, one can simply modify a stock Van's canopy frame or come up with something else. Sounds/looks like your solution worked out well. I like the idea of having locks on both sides rather than one. Did you also incorporate some type of quick/emergency release mechanism?
Looking forward to seeing what/how you did yours...
Jeff
gvgoff99
Well Known Member
Canopy
I watched the progress as Doug built the canopy. Then, being the perfectionist that he is I watched as he rebuilt the windscreen, roll bar, did a lot of engineering to get the rear hold down pins to fit perfectly and engineered the overall fit of the canopy to the frame as well as the dual forward latches. When closed it fits to the plane perfectly.
An excellent plane.
A super builder is Doug Knab.
He built this plane http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=54286&highlight=Houston and sold it when this 8 was well on it's way to completion. The current owner is selling it because he has been transfered to an oil job in remote Russia (really!). No experimental flying there.
Doug is a builder of extreme talent, outstanding ability and careful procedure.
I watched the progress as Doug built the canopy. Then, being the perfectionist that he is I watched as he rebuilt the windscreen, roll bar, did a lot of engineering to get the rear hold down pins to fit perfectly and engineered the overall fit of the canopy to the frame as well as the dual forward latches. When closed it fits to the plane perfectly.
An excellent plane.
A super builder is Doug Knab.
He built this plane http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=54286&highlight=Houston and sold it when this 8 was well on it's way to completion. The current owner is selling it because he has been transfered to an oil job in remote Russia (really!). No experimental flying there.
Doug is a builder of extreme talent, outstanding ability and careful procedure.
IAH layover
George/Doug,
I'll be laying over IAH next week 22-24 Mar. Any chance to meet up and meet with hopes of viewing Doug's 8?
If so, please send an email ([email protected]) or reply to this post...
Thanks
Jeff
George/Doug,
I'll be laying over IAH next week 22-24 Mar. Any chance to meet up and meet with hopes of viewing Doug's 8?
If so, please send an email ([email protected]) or reply to this post...
Thanks
Jeff
Neal@F14
Well Known Member
Well very done! 
Obviously a slider. The slide track rail down the back is quite visible in the second photo.
(edit: plus the photos show exterior latch handles at the front on both sides... a side-tip would not have such)
I once got to ride in a Showplanes Super-8 Fastback, but it was built as a side-tip-over canopy like a -4.
Obviously a slider. The slide track rail down the back is quite visible in the second photo.
(edit: plus the photos show exterior latch handles at the front on both sides... a side-tip would not have such)
I once got to ride in a Showplanes Super-8 Fastback, but it was built as a side-tip-over canopy like a -4.
Last edited:
Jerry Cochran
Well Known Member
Does the Fastback outperform a standard -8 in any way? Like less drag? Sure is purdy tho...
Neal@F14
Well Known Member
Some discussion about that here: http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=74115
I think the general consensus is that fastback mod on a -4 is more beneficial for speed increase than it does for a -8.
Can't deny the performance increase in "ramp appeal" however
