Finish Kit Ordered!

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BSwayze
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Finish Kit Ordered!

Post by BSwayze »

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.
Bruce Swayze
Portland, Oregon
http://www.BrucesRV7A.com
RV-7A Working on Firewall Forward

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hydroguy2
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Post by hydroguy2 »

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.
Brian
Townsend, MT

Spike
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Post by Spike »

Congrats!!

Spike
http://www.rivetbangers.com - Now integrating web and mail!
Current Build: 2 years into a beautiful little girl

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dons
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Post by dons »

Great milestone Bruce, I really like the idea of the 195HP IO-375, leaves
lots of options on the fuel front.
Don Sinclair
CYKF
RV-7A (Fuselage)

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captain_john
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Post by captain_john »

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
RV-7
Garmin G3X with VP-X & a TMX-IO-360 with G3i
It's all over but the flying! 800+ hours in only 3 years!

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Joe Parish
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Post by Joe Parish »

Very cool Bruce 8) Congrats!
Joe
N525XC reserved
Empennage done
wings done
Fuse in progress
RV-9A

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bruceh
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Post by bruceh »

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.
Bruce Hill
RV-9A N5771H flying over 1100 hours!
Build Log at http://www.overthehills.com/RV-9A-Project
Blog at https://flyingoverthehills.wordpress.com/
EAA Tech Counselor, A&P

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704CH
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Post by 704CH »

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
Chad
Sammamish, WA
RV-7 Standard Build - Tip Up - Fuselage

http://www.704ch.com/

itisgood
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Post by itisgood »

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.

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Wicked Stick
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Post by Wicked Stick »

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.
Dave "WS" Rogers
RV-8 (125 hrs & counting)
N173DR

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BSwayze
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Picked up my finish kit!

Post by BSwayze »

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.

Image

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.

Image

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

Image

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.

Image

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.

Image

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.

Image

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.

Image

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.

Image

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.
Bruce Swayze
Portland, Oregon
http://www.BrucesRV7A.com
RV-7A Working on Firewall Forward

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dons
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Post by dons »

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.
Don Sinclair
CYKF
RV-7A (Fuselage)

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hydroguy2
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Post by hydroguy2 »

Congrats to you Bruce. NOw get back in that shop, you've got plexi to cut. :mrgreen:
Brian
Townsend, MT

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bruceh
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Post by bruceh »

Awesome! I should get mine in a week or 2, then the race to finish is on.
Bruce Hill
RV-9A N5771H flying over 1100 hours!
Build Log at http://www.overthehills.com/RV-9A-Project
Blog at https://flyingoverthehills.wordpress.com/
EAA Tech Counselor, A&P

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Joe Parish
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Post by Joe Parish »

Very cool Bruce, Congrats on the finish kit. Who will be next in the air?
Joe
N525XC reserved
Empennage done
wings done
Fuse in progress
RV-9A

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bullojm1
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Post by bullojm1 »

Congrats Bruce on receiving your finish kit. It was great to see you yesterday and chat RV for a few hours.
Mike Bullock
http://www.rvplane.com
RV-7 | Superior IO-360 | Whirlwind 200RV
Garmin GTN650 | GRT Dual Sport SX EFIS
Status: FLYING!

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cjensen
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Post by cjensen »

That's awesome Bruce! Always neat to see pics from Van's, and picking up a finish kit is even better!!
Chad Jensen
Missing my RV-7...
Vertical Power support
920.216.3699
http://verticalpower.com

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BSwayze
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Post by BSwayze »

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.
Last edited by BSwayze on Mon Apr 25, 2011 7:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Bruce Swayze
Portland, Oregon
http://www.BrucesRV7A.com
RV-7A Working on Firewall Forward

Bob Barrett
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Post by Bob Barrett »

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.

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BSwayze
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Post by BSwayze »

Thanks, Bob. You're right. I'm looking into that right now as well.
Bruce Swayze
Portland, Oregon
http://www.BrucesRV7A.com
RV-7A Working on Firewall Forward

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