RV-7. The ultimate in giant scale
#1
Thread Starter
RV-7. The ultimate in giant scale
Well I've gone and done it. My dad and I have decided that models are just not enough work and we need to build a real plane. We have just recieved out empanage kit for a Vans RV-7. We have already ordered a new shed to build our plane in. Its a lot of work but it's also a lot of airplane when its finished. We are expecting around 1500 to 2000 hours work to complete the plane, hoping to have it done inside three years. For those that have not flown an RV if you get a chance do it, they are an awesome plane to fly.
Here is some pics.
Here is some pics.
#2
Senior Member
RE: RV-7. The ultimate in giant scale
[sm=thumbup.gif] Good luck on the build. I had the chance to fly in a -4 and it was a great experience! I definitely had the RV grin after that flight. The 7 looks like a real winner.
#3
Thread Starter
RE: RV-7. The ultimate in giant scale
Cheers. Since I took the pics I have spread more bits around. My back room has alumium everywhere at the moment
I am impressed with the quality of the parts. Looking forward to the building.
I am impressed with the quality of the parts. Looking forward to the building.
#7
Thread Starter
RE: RV-7. The ultimate in giant scale
ORIGINAL: tailskid
WHAT? It's not an ARF?????[sm=lol.gif]
Jerry
WHAT? It's not an ARF?????[sm=lol.gif]
Jerry
#8
My Feedback: (21)
RE: RV-7. The ultimate in giant scale
GRANT ED....If you don't mind, I've taken the liberty to add some pics and specs.
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The RV-7/7A is designed for much the same mission as the RV-6/6A. However, it will accept Lycoming engines from 150-200 horsepower, giving the builder more options. It uses many parts in common with the RV-8/8A and RV-9A, which keeps production and inventory costs down. Legroom, headroom, and useful load are all greater than the RV-6/6A. The span and area of the wing has been increased. The Vne (never exceed speed) has been increased to 230 mph. Fuel capacity went from 38 gallons to 42.
But the biggest difference is the kit. The RV-7/7A kit is the most highly advanced kit Van’s has produced, and maybe the easiest to build. Computer aided design and computer controlled production tools mean that the parts fit exactly as they should. Traditionally, the task of locating, aligning, drilling and preparing the thousands of rivet holes has fallen to the airplane builder. It’s not particularly difficult, but it is repetitious and there are many opportunities for error. In the "matched hole" RV-7/7A kit, a computerized punch press locates and punches all the rivet holes during manufacture, so the builder can pull the parts out of the box, align the holes and begin assembly immediately.
Many improvements have been incorporated into the RV-7/7A kit: pre-fabricated wing spars are standard, canopy frames are stiffer and more accurate, internal structure has been simplified...the list goes on and on.
We estimate the construction time for the RV-7/7A kit at about 13-1400 hours, or about 30% less than an RV-6/6A.
RV-7 Specifications
Exterior Dimensions
Span 25 ft 0in.
Length 20 ft 4 in.
Height 5 ft 10 in
Wing Area 121 sq ft
Weights
Empty Weight 1061 - 1114 lbs
Gross Weight 1800 lbs
Loadings
Wing Loading 14.8 lb/sq ft
Power Loading 12.0 - 9.0 lb/hp
Powerplant/Systems
Engine 150-200 hp
Propeller Fixed or C/S
Fuel Capacity 42 US gal
Other
Baggage 100 lbs
RV-7A Specifications (TRIGEAR)
Exterior Dimensions
Span 25 ft 0 in
Length 20 ft 4 in
Height 7 ft 10 in
Wing Area 121 sq ft
Weights
Empty Weight 1077 - 1130 lbs
Gross Weight 1800 lbs
Loadings
Wing Loading 14.8 lb/sq ft
Power Loading 12.0 - 9.0 lb/hp
Powerplant/Systems
Engine 150-200 hp
Propeller Fixed or C/S
Fuel Capacity 42 US gal
Other
Baggage 100 lbs
RV-7 Performance
Solo Weight 1400 lbs
Gross Weight 1800 lbs 160 hp 180 hp 200 hp
Empty weight and performance measured with Hartzell 2 Blade C/S prop
Speed - Solo Weight
Top Speed 202 mph 210 mph 217 mph
Cruise [75% @ 8000 ft] 192 mph 200 mph 207 mph
Cruise [55% @ 8000 ft] 173 mph 180 mph 187 mph
Stall Speed 51 mph 51 mph 51 mph
Speed - Gross Weight
Top Speed 201 mph 209 mph 216 mph
Cruise [75% @ 8000 ft] 191 mph 199 mph 206 mph
Cruise [55% @ 8000 ft] 172 mph 179 mph 186 mph
Stall Speed 58 mph 58 mph 58 mph
Ground Performance - Solo Weight
Takeoff Distance 300 ft 275 ft 250 ft
Landing Distance 350 ft 350 ft 350 ft
Ground Performance - Gross Weight
Takeoff Distance 650 ft 575 ft 500 ft
Landing Distance 500 ft 500 ft 500 ft
Climb/Ceiling - Solo Weight
Rate of Climb 1,900 fpm 2,200 fpm 2,550 fpm
Ceiling 21,000 ft 23,000 ft 25,500 ft
Climb/Ceiling - Gross Weight
Rate of Climb 1,400 fpm 1,650 fpm 1,900 fpm
Ceiling 18,500 ft 20,500 ft 22,500 ft
Range
Range [75% @ 8000 ft] 835 sm 775 sm 765 sm
Range [55% @ 8000 ft] 1,025 sm 950 sm 935 sm
RV-7A Performance (TRIGEAR)
Solo Weight 1400 lbs
Gross Weight 1800 lbs 160 hp 180 hp 200 hp
Empty weight and performance measured with Hartzell 2 Blade C/S prop
Speed - Solo Weight
Top Speed 200 mph 208 mph 215 mph
Cruise [75% @ 8000 ft] 190 mph 198 mph 205 mph
Cruise [55% @ 8000 ft] 171 mph 178 mph 185 mph
Stall Speed 51 mph 51 mph 51 mph
Speed - Gross Weight
Top Speed 199 mph 207 mph 213 mph
Cruise [75% @ 8000 ft] 189 mph 197 mph 204 mph
Cruise [55% @ 8000 ft] 170 mph 177 mph 183 mph
Stall Speed 58 mph 58 mph 58 mph
Ground Performance - Solo Weight
Takeoff Distance 300 ft 275 ft 250 ft
Landing Distance 350 ft 350 ft 350 ft
Ground Performance - Gross Weight
Takeoff Distance 650 ft 575 ft 500 ft
Landing Distance 500 ft 500 ft 500 ft
Climb/Ceiling - Solo Weight
Rate of Climb 1,800 fpm 2,100 fpm 2,450 fpm
Ceiling 20,000 ft 22,000 ft 24,500 ft
Climb/Ceiling - Gross Weight
Rate of Climb 1,350 fpm 1,600 fpm 1,850 fpm
Ceiling 17,500 ft 19,500 ft 21,500 ft
Range
Range [75% @ 8000 ft] 825 sm 765 sm 755 sm
Range [55% @ 8000 ft] 1015 sm 940 sm 925 sm
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The RV-7/7A is designed for much the same mission as the RV-6/6A. However, it will accept Lycoming engines from 150-200 horsepower, giving the builder more options. It uses many parts in common with the RV-8/8A and RV-9A, which keeps production and inventory costs down. Legroom, headroom, and useful load are all greater than the RV-6/6A. The span and area of the wing has been increased. The Vne (never exceed speed) has been increased to 230 mph. Fuel capacity went from 38 gallons to 42.
But the biggest difference is the kit. The RV-7/7A kit is the most highly advanced kit Van’s has produced, and maybe the easiest to build. Computer aided design and computer controlled production tools mean that the parts fit exactly as they should. Traditionally, the task of locating, aligning, drilling and preparing the thousands of rivet holes has fallen to the airplane builder. It’s not particularly difficult, but it is repetitious and there are many opportunities for error. In the "matched hole" RV-7/7A kit, a computerized punch press locates and punches all the rivet holes during manufacture, so the builder can pull the parts out of the box, align the holes and begin assembly immediately.
Many improvements have been incorporated into the RV-7/7A kit: pre-fabricated wing spars are standard, canopy frames are stiffer and more accurate, internal structure has been simplified...the list goes on and on.
We estimate the construction time for the RV-7/7A kit at about 13-1400 hours, or about 30% less than an RV-6/6A.
RV-7 Specifications
Exterior Dimensions
Span 25 ft 0in.
Length 20 ft 4 in.
Height 5 ft 10 in
Wing Area 121 sq ft
Weights
Empty Weight 1061 - 1114 lbs
Gross Weight 1800 lbs
Loadings
Wing Loading 14.8 lb/sq ft
Power Loading 12.0 - 9.0 lb/hp
Powerplant/Systems
Engine 150-200 hp
Propeller Fixed or C/S
Fuel Capacity 42 US gal
Other
Baggage 100 lbs
RV-7A Specifications (TRIGEAR)
Exterior Dimensions
Span 25 ft 0 in
Length 20 ft 4 in
Height 7 ft 10 in
Wing Area 121 sq ft
Weights
Empty Weight 1077 - 1130 lbs
Gross Weight 1800 lbs
Loadings
Wing Loading 14.8 lb/sq ft
Power Loading 12.0 - 9.0 lb/hp
Powerplant/Systems
Engine 150-200 hp
Propeller Fixed or C/S
Fuel Capacity 42 US gal
Other
Baggage 100 lbs
RV-7 Performance
Solo Weight 1400 lbs
Gross Weight 1800 lbs 160 hp 180 hp 200 hp
Empty weight and performance measured with Hartzell 2 Blade C/S prop
Speed - Solo Weight
Top Speed 202 mph 210 mph 217 mph
Cruise [75% @ 8000 ft] 192 mph 200 mph 207 mph
Cruise [55% @ 8000 ft] 173 mph 180 mph 187 mph
Stall Speed 51 mph 51 mph 51 mph
Speed - Gross Weight
Top Speed 201 mph 209 mph 216 mph
Cruise [75% @ 8000 ft] 191 mph 199 mph 206 mph
Cruise [55% @ 8000 ft] 172 mph 179 mph 186 mph
Stall Speed 58 mph 58 mph 58 mph
Ground Performance - Solo Weight
Takeoff Distance 300 ft 275 ft 250 ft
Landing Distance 350 ft 350 ft 350 ft
Ground Performance - Gross Weight
Takeoff Distance 650 ft 575 ft 500 ft
Landing Distance 500 ft 500 ft 500 ft
Climb/Ceiling - Solo Weight
Rate of Climb 1,900 fpm 2,200 fpm 2,550 fpm
Ceiling 21,000 ft 23,000 ft 25,500 ft
Climb/Ceiling - Gross Weight
Rate of Climb 1,400 fpm 1,650 fpm 1,900 fpm
Ceiling 18,500 ft 20,500 ft 22,500 ft
Range
Range [75% @ 8000 ft] 835 sm 775 sm 765 sm
Range [55% @ 8000 ft] 1,025 sm 950 sm 935 sm
RV-7A Performance (TRIGEAR)
Solo Weight 1400 lbs
Gross Weight 1800 lbs 160 hp 180 hp 200 hp
Empty weight and performance measured with Hartzell 2 Blade C/S prop
Speed - Solo Weight
Top Speed 200 mph 208 mph 215 mph
Cruise [75% @ 8000 ft] 190 mph 198 mph 205 mph
Cruise [55% @ 8000 ft] 171 mph 178 mph 185 mph
Stall Speed 51 mph 51 mph 51 mph
Speed - Gross Weight
Top Speed 199 mph 207 mph 213 mph
Cruise [75% @ 8000 ft] 189 mph 197 mph 204 mph
Cruise [55% @ 8000 ft] 170 mph 177 mph 183 mph
Stall Speed 58 mph 58 mph 58 mph
Ground Performance - Solo Weight
Takeoff Distance 300 ft 275 ft 250 ft
Landing Distance 350 ft 350 ft 350 ft
Ground Performance - Gross Weight
Takeoff Distance 650 ft 575 ft 500 ft
Landing Distance 500 ft 500 ft 500 ft
Climb/Ceiling - Solo Weight
Rate of Climb 1,800 fpm 2,100 fpm 2,450 fpm
Ceiling 20,000 ft 22,000 ft 24,500 ft
Climb/Ceiling - Gross Weight
Rate of Climb 1,350 fpm 1,600 fpm 1,850 fpm
Ceiling 17,500 ft 19,500 ft 21,500 ft
Range
Range [75% @ 8000 ft] 825 sm 765 sm 755 sm
Range [55% @ 8000 ft] 1015 sm 940 sm 925 sm
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#13
My Feedback: (1)
RE: RV-7. The ultimate in giant scale
Here is a picture of my friends RV-6. It was a quickbuild with a rebuilt O-320 FP prop and day night vfr. He did the paint himself and copied the sceme from an RC P-51 pylon racer. RV's are a lot of airplane for the money and they are good flying.
#14
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Davis,
OK
Posts: 896
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RE: RV-7. The ultimate in giant scale
I've flown a 6, and I've got a friend who's building a 4. Been toying with the idea of looking for a 6 that's already built, as I just dont have the facilities for a build. Awesome planes, though, and made of REAL metal!!
#15
Thread Starter
RE: RV-7. The ultimate in giant scale
Wow I cant believe its been over a year since we started building the RV. After the first year we have completed about 720 hours of work and spend an obscene amount. We have paid for and recieved the empenage kit, the wing kit and just the other week the fuse kit. We have also recieved our engine. Its a brand new IO-360 FADEC engine from Mattatuck.
We have finished bar the fiberglass tips the vertical stab, the horizontal stab, the rudder, both elevators, both flaps and both ailerons. The LH wing is basically finished except for the bottom skin and a few details but it is off the jig and sitting in the cradle. The RH wing is now in the jig.
Its been a good journey so far but it has been a LOT of work. Many nights and weekends of working in the shed. I must admit since starting this build I have had to put model flying on hold. I have only been out a couple of times this year. I have started racing RC cars once a month to satisfy my need for RC stuff.
I'll keep you updated as the fuse comes along.
We have finished bar the fiberglass tips the vertical stab, the horizontal stab, the rudder, both elevators, both flaps and both ailerons. The LH wing is basically finished except for the bottom skin and a few details but it is off the jig and sitting in the cradle. The RH wing is now in the jig.
Its been a good journey so far but it has been a LOT of work. Many nights and weekends of working in the shed. I must admit since starting this build I have had to put model flying on hold. I have only been out a couple of times this year. I have started racing RC cars once a month to satisfy my need for RC stuff.
I'll keep you updated as the fuse comes along.
#24
Thread Starter
RE: RV-7. The ultimate in giant scale
ORIGINAL: flycfii
Oh man, I'm drooling over that engine...Beautiful! Looks like you're making very good progress. Tell us, have there been any "trouble spots" in the build? Anything worth mentioning?
Oh man, I'm drooling over that engine...Beautiful! Looks like you're making very good progress. Tell us, have there been any "trouble spots" in the build? Anything worth mentioning?
We are not finished with the engine either. Among other things we are going to pull the alternator apart and chrome the case, we will probably polish the flywheel as well as the stainless firewall.
The instrument panel should look good to. At this stage we are having no standard instruments at all. The panel will be based around a 4 screen EFIS glass cockpit setup.