tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64934861322762252982011-12-20T13:24:19.008+08:00RV - 4 BuilderBuilder's Log of a Van's RV - 4 homebuilt Sport Aircraft.Mark Boltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04345647263994713620noreply@blogger.comBlogger311100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6493486132276225298.post-17637035825021526202011-11-25T14:09:00.002+08:002011-12-07T14:25:59.992+08:00Painting
UPDATE : Got it done !The last photo is the only one that depicts colour accurately. The rest look like beige. It is actually a fine metalic light grey with a low gloss. No clear coat and at the time of writing only one coat. Two fairly nasty runs that can be sanded out and redone. Upshot is it was pretty easy and, though not perfect, it is exactly what I wanted. I like the entirety of the Mark Boltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04345647263994713620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6493486132276225298.post-89413635052543721122011-10-22T11:27:00.005+08:002011-12-20T13:24:19.061+08:00Canopy
Wiki and Steve Sampson also here is some good step by step
I had a go at making the canopy work inspite of the abortive use of the rivnuts and it was a no go.
I will have to start from scratch with new material.
UPDATE : My SOS on VAF :
DIY Canopy for an RV - 4 I busted my RV - 4 canopy and found that, whilst the cost of a new one from Van's suppliers is reasonable, half a planetMark Boltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04345647263994713620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6493486132276225298.post-48027958389137189432011-09-17T17:11:00.000+08:002011-09-17T17:11:58.909+08:00Wings
Missing Spar Bolts
3 x NAS 1306 - 30
2 x NAS 1304 - 30
2 x NAS 1304 - 32
16 x AN 4 - 17A
12 x AN 4 - 16A
Nuts and washers for above.
W11-09171545
?? Stall Warning ??Mark Boltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04345647263994713620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6493486132276225298.post-41843572201287736312011-09-14T13:51:00.000+08:002011-09-14T13:51:58.219+08:00BrakesMaster Cylinder:
High Pressure 2 x 69 - F - 04 Elbows
Low Pressure 2 x 269 - N - 04 Elbows
Hose :
High Pressure 44 NSR 12'
Low Pressure 44 SN 4'
Guys seem to put a flexible metal sheathed brake line from the wheel to a point on the undercarriage and use aluminium lines from there - like a car. Is that over engineering I wonder ?
UPDATE :
RV-4 BRAKE CONVERSION PLASTIC TO ALUM CONV. Mark Boltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04345647263994713620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6493486132276225298.post-45641770434490213262011-09-13T19:50:00.001+08:002011-09-14T12:50:53.672+08:00Fuel SystemI have been trying to figure out how to mount the gascolator on the firewall and on the Van's Airforce forum I found this picture.
Courtesy of Tomas Johansson
Photographer and Journalist
www.laponiapictures.com
I have the added complication of the 4 way Vettermans system calls for a 1/8" angle between the port and starboard sets of stacks limiting space even further. This will mean the Mark Boltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04345647263994713620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6493486132276225298.post-23824485618175291002011-09-13T19:23:00.001+08:002011-09-13T19:32:03.555+08:00Cockpit and Instrument Panel I have removed the fold down section foward of the black mount holding the fuel tap and the fuel guages. I will be putting the fuel tap and the electrical isolator (Master Switch) forward of the bulkhead in the interests of easier reach for the pilot. The fuel guages will probably be much as they are now. The G Meter is where the Intercom was in these outdated pictures.
I have decided to moveMark Boltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04345647263994713620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6493486132276225298.post-7162262251806849302011-09-13T19:19:00.000+08:002011-09-13T19:19:55.490+08:00FuselagePitot Static
This is proving to be a nuisance. I got some pnuematic fittings from a company that builds busses but wierdly the hoses seemed to fail to lock in the fittings. I bought the kit from Vans to save stuffing around and the fittings that screw into the Altimeter and the ASI are so big they hit each other when you go to screw them in - hands in pockets.
Fuselage / Empenage AttachMark Boltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04345647263994713620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6493486132276225298.post-63732092788973136652011-09-13T14:44:00.001+08:002011-09-13T19:12:21.986+08:00Firewall ForwardOil Cooler
I mounted it horizontally with the bottom bolts on the 1/8" angle backside of firewall. 2' of SCAT tube just goes neatly to the pickup on the rear of the baffles.
Fuel Plumbing
Fuel / Oil Pressure Plumbing
The plumbing is expensive. I just ordered enought to do the firewall forward and the BOM set me back about 700 bucks.
General
?? Bolts on gear legs need nuts - torque ??
Mark Boltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04345647263994713620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6493486132276225298.post-75253963120768508432011-05-31T14:54:00.002+08:002011-05-31T17:06:11.944+08:00HarnessesThe Crow harnesses have arived and very smart they look too. The requirement for a 8 washers to go from the AN 4 Bolt diameter to the inside of the attach point is a nuisance - bushings with a 1/4" ID and 7/16" OD
NOTE The color of both the cockpit and the harness is fire engine or postbox red - they look a vile crimson here - not accurate.
Mark Boltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04345647263994713620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6493486132276225298.post-9514156150432334612011-03-18T20:18:00.007+08:002011-09-13T19:35:36.879+08:00Paint SchemeThese photos all have elements in them that appeal to me. From them I will decide on what I finally want to do. My amazingly talented Sister did the squid and I hope she will do something similar to suit the final color layout.
I love the simplicity of the red and white and particularly admire paint schemes that show an obvious economy of labour. He has used the natural rivet lines in places Mark Boltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04345647263994713620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6493486132276225298.post-78274851393215157852011-03-03T19:21:00.002+08:002011-03-04T14:51:06.013+08:00iPad AppsThis is a topic that proves the adage about "keeping up with technology is like changing the tyres on a moving car". The interest is huge and if it is possible to use an iPad to run a moving map GPS along with all the other stuff I do out in the bush then definitely put me down for one.
There are a heap of question however like - why not Android? What about LINUX ?
What Apps to get ?
Air Nav Mark Boltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04345647263994713620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6493486132276225298.post-83772206086432343672011-02-17T18:33:00.003+08:002011-03-06T13:43:42.863+08:00Cowls and Baffles.Airscoop :
This guy has good tips on most things as does the van's forum but is mentioned specifically for air scoops and
camlocks - supplier www.skybolt.com
On Tue, Sep 28, 2010 at 10:32 PM, April abraun@skybolt.com> wrote:
Mark,
I can send you a RV4J-C1P-S ( this is a side kit containing 20 pieces) I will sub out the side receptacles (fixed) and send you the firewall receptacles (Mark Boltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04345647263994713620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6493486132276225298.post-5577795342603935242011-02-17T18:27:00.002+08:002011-03-04T15:56:28.846+08:00Good KitMoney spent on top quality tools is never regreted. Dont waste your money on crap.
Mark Boltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04345647263994713620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6493486132276225298.post-13804995711545373242011-01-07T20:05:00.000+08:002011-01-25T08:20:30.870+08:00Vale CrusherIt is with deepest regret we mourn the disappearance and presumed death of Crusher.
We miss you buddy !!
Be Warned !Even the tamest of budgies will fly off given the chance.
Mark Boltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04345647263994713620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6493486132276225298.post-27205116191854750342010-12-06T22:44:00.000+08:002011-01-25T08:20:07.080+08:00Serpentine Airfield.My missus and I went to the Christmas bash and it was a terrific evening. It was the first time Kayt had really met anyone down there and I was very happy that the atmosphere was to her liking. She isn't interested in airplanes but that shouldn't precude anyone from enjoying the relaxed comaraderie and variety of personalities that frequent the place. Shouldn't but sometimes does - not in this Mark Boltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04345647263994713620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6493486132276225298.post-60905795644085181602010-12-06T22:29:00.000+08:002011-01-25T08:20:52.113+08:00Prop / SpinnerGot the prop and spinner mounted this week end quite a fiddly time consuming job. Lots of cut and try.
A big cheerio to Mick Muller over in Sheparton and Jodie for helping me out with this prop. Drinks on me guys !!
Invincible Airscrews Pty. Ltd., (David Green & Ken Adams) See note P.O.Box 62, Mortdale, N.S.W. 2223, Australia Tel/Fax : +61 2 9153 0764 Email: dagreen@optusnet.com.au Fax or Mark Boltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04345647263994713620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6493486132276225298.post-56906454273466580732010-11-27T20:03:00.000+08:002011-03-04T10:04:37.409+08:00Pilot's Licence and C of AI joined the SAAA - $170
Enrolled in the Maintenence Course - $220 (I had to pay the Newbies rate even though I was a member for about 10 years in the 80s / 90s.) Completed course and got the certificate. In spite of a bit of carping and nit picking from the guys I thought it was pretty good. Blokes who work in the mining industry seemed to "get it".
Will have to save up for the C of A Kit - Mark Boltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04345647263994713620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6493486132276225298.post-17923647523565958092010-11-26T20:06:00.000+08:002010-11-26T20:06:57.171+08:00PragmatismIn theory there is no difference between theory and practice, but in practice there is. Mark Boltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04345647263994713620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6493486132276225298.post-75584015367103933792010-11-16T15:51:00.000+08:002011-01-25T08:22:46.301+08:00Wing Incidence Drilling from Van's Aircraft Site WING INCIDENCE DRILLING SIMPLIFIED
1: Don’t put in all of the wing attach bolts right away! You may have to remove
each wing a couple of times in this process. Just put in four bolts in a square
pattern for each wing. Don’t use the good bolts! Put in hardware store variety
and grease them and the holes in the spar to protect the spar and facilitate
Mark Boltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04345647263994713620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6493486132276225298.post-10946088208270663662010-11-16T10:41:00.000+08:002010-11-16T10:41:46.657+08:00Murphy's LawYou all know about Murphy's Law right?
It is that atavistic force that causes inanimate object to fail for no reason at the worst possible moment.
If it can go wrong it will.
Well, not quite and, like many of these things if you drill a little deeper, the whole story is much more interesting as well as yielding some practical lessons.
It grew out of the experiences of a Colonel Stapp USAF, Mark Boltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04345647263994713620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6493486132276225298.post-28464769182782885922010-11-15T12:47:00.000+08:002011-03-04T10:09:47.519+08:00FairingsThe fairings that came with the kit are nasty. I bought a new one for the empenage - "RV -4 Fairing Subkit".
The fairing subkit comes with all the fairings except the gear legs. The glass work is miles better than the original kit.
Gear Leg Fairings :
I bought some epoxy from :
Fibreglass and resin supplies
Charlie Irwin
111 kew St
Welshpool
08 9361 8316
Charlie sat me down and told Mark Boltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04345647263994713620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6493486132276225298.post-88506522340892191062010-10-24T16:32:00.003+08:002011-03-04T15:49:40.049+08:00Old PicturesI just dug out my photo album and scanned some pictures I have taken over the years.
This is me flying Tiger 37 which I hired from the Royal Aero Club. John Bird checked me out in it after I had got my PPL flying Tomahawks and Cherokees.
It was the first real plane I flew. Later on after getting my Aerobatic endorsement in the Chipmonk I got it as part of my BFR in the Tiger with Werner Mark Boltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04345647263994713620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6493486132276225298.post-65833835948231414452010-10-17T09:34:00.000+08:002010-10-17T17:41:27.937+08:00Hasten SlowlyA company needed to hire a technician to get some urgent work done. The HR guy was strapped for time so he got the 4 most promising applicants into his office and told them " I will conduct a group interview where I will ask one question and who ever give the best answer can start right away". The applicants agreed.
"What is the fastest thing you can think of? "
Straight away the first Mark Boltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04345647263994713620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6493486132276225298.post-1089707831995034382010-10-12T15:12:00.000+08:002010-10-17T17:45:34.138+08:00Better is the enemy of good enoughor "Dont over egg the custard".
Work out what is a sound and tidy level of workmanship and dont try to make things perfect. It inevitably winds up making the finished job worse as well as being scandalously time consuming. Same applies to gimmicky accessories that serve no practical purpose.
I was soundly counseled by a RAAF test pilot and gifted natural on the topic of instrumentation to "getMark Boltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04345647263994713620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6493486132276225298.post-4834531333737900042010-10-11T13:13:00.000+08:002010-10-17T17:47:35.714+08:00Correct use of PocketsWhen I was a very young technician I was working with a very gifted Swiss tech who, one day out of the blue " Do you know what is the correct use of pockets ? " I looked baffled and he continued "When you aren't certain what to do you put your hands in them" Mark Boltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04345647263994713620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6493486132276225298.post-81203346963432182192010-10-11T12:19:00.001+08:002011-03-04T15:58:23.158+08:00Recent PicsThis is a picture of me, uncharacteristicly scruffy and unshaven (yeah right) and my insane Budgerigar "Crusher". He was hand reared and sadly very badly wing clipped so he cant fly at all (I know the feeling). I have never owned a pet bird before and hd no idea how goofy and clever they can be. When put near a pile of Brussels Sprout he will roll and cavort with them in such a way as you have Mark Boltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04345647263994713620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6493486132276225298.post-85363844482998769762010-09-09T19:41:00.000+08:002011-01-25T08:33:59.171+08:00Transition TrainingThis absolutely makes so much sense !!
From the RVs in Aus group;
Fellow Aviators/Builders,
Just noticed the recent discussion on the Yahoo site and wanted to share some more information. I am currently in Vernonia, Oregon USA, undertaking RV transition training with Mike Seager. He has been undertaking this training (legally over here) for over 20 years and has over 10,000hrs RV time alone.
Mark Boltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04345647263994713620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6493486132276225298.post-25331460167676672162010-08-06T13:10:00.000+08:002011-01-27T14:35:32.239+08:00Helping out on a 100 Hourly"When looking at another project details about construction will never register until you, yourself, are actually engaged in that particular phase."
I had the privilege of acting as a second opinion on a 100 hourly on an RV - 6 recently and took some time out to take some firewall forward pics.
They are mostly to aid me in figgering out how the plumbing firewall forward goes.
Shirley elected toMark Boltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04345647263994713620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6493486132276225298.post-24296523862679424922010-05-09T16:05:00.001+08:002011-03-04T15:57:01.547+08:00Tailwheel Powdercoating.Mark Boltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04345647263994713620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6493486132276225298.post-35868082310206378112010-04-18T11:06:00.001+08:002011-03-04T16:49:03.645+08:00Motor?? Bolts holding the FAB to the carby are nylocks should they be castellated and wired ??
?? diaphragm seat ring has an overflow fitting of some kind. Is this plugged?
?? Locate and remove oil in / out plugs from motor to cooler.??
?? What does the knurled screw above mixture bellcrank do??
?? Crankcase Breather ? Just a pipe overboard or a air oil separator?Mark Boltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04345647263994713620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6493486132276225298.post-91312066565943416402010-03-03T19:49:00.000+08:002011-03-20T02:13:55.762+08:00Electric FlapsI have considered electric flaps.
I must admit I like the idea a whole lot more than the manual one.
Complexity is a factor I am making every endevour to avoid but in this instance it may be worth the effort.
At this stage of the build it would be best to do such a mod rather than back track later on.
Here are some pics I got from another builder and pondering on them will hopefully answer theMark Boltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04345647263994713620noreply@blogger.com0