Retractable gear RV

dicel87 · Post by **dicel87** » Sun Jan 02, 2005 11:38 am

There was an article last summer in one of the kit plane type magazines that featured a builder in Germany who modified his RV4 to have retractable gear.

Anyone else see that? Which magazine was it and what are your thoughts on attempting such a radical modification?

Scott

Dan A · Post by **Dan A** » Sun Jan 02, 2005 12:23 pm

No I didn't see that one, but, I know of a RV4 with retractable gear in Arlington Washington. I don't know if it is still there but it was about 5 years ago. It seemed to work out good as I recall.
Dan

jim_geo · Post by **jim_geo** » Sun Jan 02, 2005 2:58 pm

I was going through my collection of Kit Plane the other night and read that article. Can’t remember which month it was. I’ll be home in a few hours and look. If no one else posts the info you want I will. What I got from the read was that it was a lot of extra work and hassle for a very small net gain.

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Sun Jan 02, 2005 8:05 pm

Seems to me that I recall it. It was done by a Brit...

I seem to think the net gain wasn't worth the effort.

A slick set of wheel pants and fairings pretty much evened up the score.

Just as well. I don't want no stinking retractable NUTTIN!

Down and WELDED!

CJ

nightflyer · Post by **nightflyer** » Sun Jan 02, 2005 9:03 pm

Follow this link to see the RV in question:

http://www.rvuk.flyer.co.uk/rvdetails/deskr.htm

Pretty impressive accomplishment, but I agree that the decrease in drag is probably not worth the effort and expense. But as as exercise, it must have been pretty entertaining!

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Sun Jan 02, 2005 9:10 pm

...does look cool tough!

Not a photoshop!

CJ

Dan A · Post by **Dan A** » Sun Jan 02, 2005 9:28 pm

Yeah, looks good but I have to agree with the above that down and welded means you won't join the group that has, and the group that will ----LAND GEAR UP!!!

Dan

Post by **Spike** » Sun Jan 02, 2005 9:34 pm

Damn, now that is a good looking RV!!

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Sun Jan 02, 2005 9:37 pm

Dan A wrote:...the group that has, and the group that will ----LAND GEAR UP!!!
Dan

Thank GOD I am still one of the LATTER!

CJ

Snap · Post by **Snap** » Sun Jan 02, 2005 10:27 pm

You know, that is a simple paint scheme but I tell ya, it looks damn nice. I think that one is going in the 'RV paint' folder.

How simple. White with a blue stripe and a flag. I think that might be the one for me. I mean, how easy is white?

dicel87 · Post by **dicel87** » Mon Jan 03, 2005 4:10 pm

Yep thats the one I remember...thanks for the link

Terry B. · Post by **Terry B.** » Mon Jan 03, 2005 10:30 pm

The issue in question is Kitplanes, July 2004 (page 14). At the end of the article, the builder admitted that the performance gains were modest and only partially offset by increased weight and complication, but he does have one unique airplane and the satisfaction of having accomplished such a task.

BTW, I am a frequent veiwer and hopefully soon to be a registered user (leaning towards RV 9). I will make a formal introduction when I register.

Terry B.
Austin TX

Post by **Spike** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 7:32 am

Welcome Terry. Feel free to register now. You dont have to be building to register. Hang around and participate.

-- John

Terry B · Post by **Terry B** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 6:25 pm

Done !

I'll introduce myself in the appropriate place.

Terry

Leighton · Post by **Leighton** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 5:23 pm

with the gear up that thing looks SEXUAL.

rather a nice looking paint job too, id be proud to own either of those planes.

mustang · Post by **mustang** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 11:50 pm

Yes, the Arlington RV-4 with retracts was built by Brian Carr of Langley B.C. who is now painting an RV-9, his eighth. Brian is a small human dynamo who never stops. A couple of days ago, he took time out from his painting to help me bend my elevator leading edges.

His comments about the retractable RV-4 were, that it was more trouble than it was worth and the gain in top speed was not as much as he expected. Which I suppose is a compliment to Van's attention to drag reduction as much as anything.

In addition to the retracts, Brian has also devised a sliding canopy for the RV-4 which I have seen on another new RV-4.

Brian currently flys a Harmon Rocket with the IO-540 and his wife has an RV-6A. I believe the "9" is a replacement for the "6A'. The "9" he is painting has a purely glass cockpit with Grand Rapids MFD's. Brian retired off the DC-10 some years ago so I guess he wants his "glass" fix now.
Cheers, Pete