2/10/2008
Finally, after more than two months with nothing but a couple of minor projects to work on, I have the finish kit! I had Partain Trucking deliver the kit, and the driver, Seth, couldn't have been more helpful! Very nice, and the kits in the trailer are very well packed and thought out. I had nothing damaged.
I also had plenty of help! My dad came over, as well as several local builders. Dad, Larry, Jack, Keith, and John...THANK YOU!!!
It was so blasted cold here this morning (still is...temp is up to 5 degrees right now at 1:30pm!!). I checked the temp just before we started unloading, and it was 4 according to Weatherbug. Couple that with 25-30mph winds, and we had wind chills at -20 or colder. We were a cold bunch of dudes! Suffice it to say, I did not even think about getting my camera out to take pics of the truck and unloading process. I did, however, have a videogragher on hand! Keith had his little camera that he uses to make videos to show the chapter builder updates at our monthly meetings. I have the whole thing on video! I'll grab some screenshots from that video when I get it, and add them to this page.
So, I said my goodbye's to Seth and my buds, and I proceeded to the garage to open up the HUGE box to start unpacking and get it inventoried.
BIG BOX!!
This was $500 well spent!!
First glimpse of what lay ahead...
This kit is basically every thing needed to finish up the airframe from Van's. Builders will note that there is no cowl in the box. It usually occupies the space where all the packaging is. I plan to use a Sam James cowl, and will be ordering that later.
After I threw all the packaging aside, I was able to wrangle the canopy out of the box, but only far enough to lean it against the fuselage. I will need help to get this up to the storage room.
At the bottom of the box is the engine mount. Van's bolts it to the bottom of the box to secure it from moving at all. Also in there is the main gear legs, and the tip up latch.
What? It's not white?? Nope. I'm not sure how many people know this, but the engine mount can be ordered without powdercoating on it. Mine will be powdercoated...but in RED! I intend to take this to get some quotes this week!
Without the powdercoating already on it, it's neat to see the welds. Definitely a professional skill!
This mount is also two inches longer than the standard mount. I plan to use an O-320, and Van's makes the mount longer to compensate for the lighter weight of that engine.
Other than those two big pieces, and the lack of a cowl, the rest of the stuff in the box is minimal. This is definitely a small parts count sub-kit. Here we can see the box the wheels and brakes come in from Cleveland, the tip up weldment, the gear legs, and the tip up frame skin.
Looking the other way on my 4'x4' table are the wheel pants, hardware bags, wing root seals...
...and all the tip up structure parts, piano hinge for the cowl, and the Lynx tailwheel springs. The Lynx springs are not standard, and are an upgrade (for $130) to replace the clunky standard springs. I decided to go for these rather than the solid steering arms that are available because I want some give, and good steering. I talked to several that have the Lynx upgrade, and they all love them. The steering arms are great as well, but some have said that it's a little too stiff on landing, but great to taxi with. I think the Lynx will be a good compromise.
The only things not shown in the pictures are the gear leg fairings, and the empennage intersection fairings. They were sitting on the fuselage when I took the pictures. Oh, and the spinner, which I bought last month separately from a guy on VAF.
So, that's it! Small parts kit, big box! Inventory is done, and other than a couple of backordered hardware bags, it's all here! In three hours flat, the truck pulled up, we unloaded, I unpacked, and got it inventoried!
I have a couple things that I have to get done before I will be able to get going on the airplane again...taxes being one...but I'm really looking forward to taking the winter plastic cover off the fuselage to get moving!
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