Finish Kit Ordered!

BSwayze · Post by **BSwayze** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 5:07 am

I'm very pleased to announce to all my friends that I placed my order for the finish kit on Friday! I can't wait to dig into it!

I ordered the Dynafocal I mount, and the standard Vans cowl with vertical induction planned for, at least at this point. I'm still drooling over the looks of the Sam James cowl and I may yet ask Vans to delete it so I can go with the James cowl. I can still get away with that if I do it before too long. So I reserve the right to change my mind. But heck, they both look good.

Not sure what I'm going to end up with for an engine. It's out of the question anyway, at this point. If money were no object, I'd look at the new IO-375 from Bart LaLonde at Aero Sport Power. Believe it or not, it's priced almost identically with the IO-360. The lower compression model produces 195 HP and will run on MOGAS. Pretty attractive! The higher compression model produces 205 HP and runs on 100 LL. Decisions, decisions!!

I've also been playing around with ideas for my dream panel. When you're just dreaming, money is no object and it's fun! The panel will be the last place I spend money because everything is changing so fast.

Anyway, it really feels good to get it in before the price increase.

hydroguy2 · Post by **hydroguy2** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 8:25 am

FINISH KIT!!!Hooray.

I really wanted a new IO-375(aerosport) or a IO-360(eagle) but the cost was going up faster than I could save it. Careful with the price structure. Once I spec'd out my engine the price was $2500-4000 more than price list show. I ended going with a rebuild and saved about $8000 over new,with no compromise on power or TBO.

Post by **Spike** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 9:33 am

Congrats!!

Spike

dons · Post by **dons** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 11:59 am

Great milestone Bruce, I really like the idea of the 195HP IO-375, leaves
lots of options on the fuel front.

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 8:19 pm

Bruce, I am kinda likin' the IO-375 lately.

From a dollars per hp perspective it wins... hands down!

I may be talking turkey with Bart this summer!

CJ

Joe Parish · Post by **Joe Parish** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:30 pm

Very cool Bruce

Congrats!

bruceh · Post by **bruceh** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 12:44 am

Good to hear that you have gotten your order in also. It will be interesting to see who's kit shows up first!

I'm at the same point with my engine and panel decisions, so for now anything goes. Later when I have to cut the check and pay, I'm sure I'll settle for less

I'm sure we will be comparing notes on canopy construction in 2011.

704CH · Post by **704CH** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 2:11 pm

I ordered my finish kit on Feb 2nd with a note of "no rush". Got the letter indicating it should be ready to ship April 15th.. No note yet of any further delays like the ones that existed when I ordered my fuse.

Any of you guys getting yours faster? Or aware of any delays going on at Van's ?

Thx

itisgood · Post by **itisgood** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 3:59 pm

My finish kit is supposed to be shipped the week of the 28th of March. But who really knows.
I am not ready for the finish kit yet, but made the purchase before the price increase. Though the price increase was not very much.
Dave O

Glad Bruce you are ready. I wish I were, the fuselage is about half done.

Wicked Stick · Post by **Wicked Stick** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 7:34 am

Speaking of price increases, when I first bought my tail kit I think it was around $1,200. I see they are now $1,600+. $400 increase in 6 years.. I guess that's not too bad.

BSwayze · Post by **BSwayze** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 2:48 pm

I GOT MY FINISH KIT!

Since I'm fortunate to live close to Vans, it's a Will Call pick up for me. So I scheduled it for the afternoon of April 15th, and I got some help from my brother and my Dad.

Here's my Dad, checking out the remaining contents of the crate after we got the big stuff loaded up. We left the crate there at Vans when we were finished.

My brothers' van was the perfect choice for this mission. There was plenty of room inside for the big cowling parts and a nice fold-down bed for the precious canopy.

As I had suspected, there was no way I could have taken all this stuff home in my little Mercury Mariner.

With the big pieces out of the way, there's not much left to worry about! It's surprising how little there seems to be in this kit.

I'm very fortunate not to have to pay shipping, a crate charge, and deal with massive amounts of paper and packing materials. Just load the stuff up and go home.

We were finished so fast, we had time for a quick tour of the factory and a little fun at the end! A few obligatory "hat" pictures, as many who have gone before me have demonstrated.

Steve couldn't decide which model he liked the best. The one above gives him that ancient "Viking" look, but the conehead model below provides a little better visibility.

My Dad even got in on the act! He still has a great sense of humor at age 83, although he doesn't look nearly as enthusiastic about it as Steve.

Quite fashionable, don't you think?

All seriousness aside, a while later I was home and with a little help with the big pieces, got everything safely tucked into my shop. If you haven't been to Vans, it's a MUST SEE experience.

dons · Post by **dons** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 3:07 pm

Very nice Bruce! Glad to see you Dad still has a sense of humor, even if his expression doesn't show it. Bet he's thinking, get this built so I can have a ride.

You are missing out on checking the freight company website 5 times a day to see where your crate is as it makes it's way towards your shop, but somehow I think your way is better.

hydroguy2 · Post by **hydroguy2** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 3:34 pm

Congrats to you Bruce. NOw get back in that shop, you've got plexi to cut.

bruceh · Post by **bruceh** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 3:45 pm

Awesome! I should get mine in a week or 2, then the race to finish is on.

Joe Parish · Post by **Joe Parish** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 4:08 pm

Very cool Bruce, Congrats on the finish kit. Who will be next in the air?

Post by **bullojm1** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 6:09 pm

Congrats Bruce on receiving your finish kit. It was great to see you yesterday and chat RV for a few hours.

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Thu Apr 21, 2011 6:43 am

That's awesome Bruce! Always neat to see pics from Van's, and picking up a finish kit is even better!!

BSwayze · Post by **BSwayze** » Fri Apr 22, 2011 11:29 am

Thanks, guys!!

Don, I think you gauged my Dad's thoughts pretty accurately. He keeps telling me "You better hurry up and get this thing finished... I'm gonna get old some day"

Bruce, I can't wait to see some pictures when yours arrives.

Bob Barrett · Post by **Bob Barrett** » Fri Apr 22, 2011 3:30 pm

Bruce hurry and finish but don't forget the flying lessons! Your Dad is getting any younger and he may enjoy a ride in C-172 or Cherokee with you as the pilot in the meantime.

BSwayze · Post by **BSwayze** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 7:31 pm

Thanks, Bob. You're right. I'm looking into that right now as well.

RivetBangers.com

Finish Kit Ordered!

Finish Kit Ordered!

Picked up my finish kit!