I seem to have bought a new aircraft

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Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 16,832

After 10 years with the famous 'Shiny Colt' I appear to have stumbled into a new aircraft.

Moggy

Original post

Member for

18 years 9 months

Posts: 2,766

Photo?

Have you sold the Colt?

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 16,832

I owned a 1/8 share in the magnificent Shiny Colt for the past ten years.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y103/moggycattermole/G-ARNECutout.jpg

I shall be sad to leave him and the tracks we have laid between the UK, France and Italy behind.

My share in him is for sale.

Moggy

Member for

15 years 3 months

Posts: 201

Always liked the Shortwings, trike or tailwheel they are an under rated aircraft
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p106/Almostoldfart/a2.jpg

Member for

14 years 9 months

Posts: 699

Nice aeroplane!

Member for

18 years 11 months

Posts: 8,847

Very happy for you, what is the replacement? :)

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 16,832

Always liked the Shortwings, trike or tailwheel they are an under rated aircraft

Indeed. I was guilty of this myself. When I first moved to E Anglia I had to leave the Yak 52 group I was part of. Searching for a replacement here I couldn't find one and didn't fly for almost a year.

I kept seeing the Colt advertised, but thought it way too much of a downgrade.

Then, in desperation I went for a trial flight. So slow, so unwarbirdlike, not for me.

But eventually a joined the group 'Just for a few months over the summer'. That was a full ten years back.

That little aeroplane and I have been over to Italy and back, crossing the Alps, three times. It has spent more time in Northern France than Rommel, and has never let me down.

The nosewheel version always looks ungainly, the tailwheel is far prettier. With some of the crosswind landings we have faced I have been glad not to have owned the taildragger.

But now I am partly regretting that, as my next aircraft is a tailwheel Vans.

Moggy

Member for

18 years 1 month

Posts: 96

But now I am partly regretting that, as my next aircraft is a tailwheel Vans.

What's to regret?

An excellent choice. Much prettier than a flying milk stool. Probably about 1/3 the running cost of the Yak, but better performance. The tailwheel ones are almost embarassingly easy to land (but don't tell anyone that) and good in crosswinds.

So, what flavour of RV are you trying?

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 16,832

Trying? I've bought :eek:

It's an RV4

The regret is that I now wish I'd had a lot more tailwheel practice

Moggy

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 16,832

Yes, that's the one.

I was looking for greater speed for touring and aerobatic ability. The RV4 has both without a huge cost penalty in Avgas

Moggy

Member for

19 years 5 months

Posts: 9,821

Congratulations on your purchase.

Happy flying!

Member for

18 years 1 month

Posts: 96

I'm just selling my 2nd RV-4 to make way for an RV-8 (the -4 looks like it is heading for the UK).

I'm sure you won't be disappointed. Keep an eye on the CG. Even with a Hartzell prop and 180HP lycoming, you can be close to the aft limit with a heavy passenger and a bit of luggage. Aeros are best done solo give or take the odd aileron roll.

It wouldn't be the one at Nayland by any chance?

(p.s. That's me in the bottom photo of the Wiki page mentioned above)

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 16,832

It's G-NADZ :o

My main passenger is a trim 8 stone and would kill me anyway if I did anything beyond a steep turn with her on board, but your tips are welcomed.

What numbers did you use with the CS prop? Slow cruise and fast cruise

Moggy

Member for

18 years 1 month

Posts: 96

I've got a similar set-up to NADZ. Hartzell 7666 blades on an extended hub and a Lycoming O360-a1a.

That blade has an 'avoid' range between 2000-2250 RPM which is where I would normally be for an economy cruise.

On long trips at 10-11000', full throttle (slightly cocked back as it's better for the mixture) and 2000 RPM, I'm burning about 7 USG/hour for about 150+ knots TAS. 24 square at lower levels gives about 165 knots IAS and 9-10/hour.

One big advantage of the CS prop is pushing the lever forward to slow down for the pattern.

Here's me on the way to Oshkosh, throttled back to 50% so that the Long_Eze could keep up.

my spec sheet is here.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2aUhPa8BBlk/TR0RMBPFq8I/AAAAAAAAADw/p14WvqC9uXc/s1600/IMG_2597.JPG

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 16,832

Lovely picture.

Thanks for the info. I am glad NADZ has a CS prop, partly as it makes aeros simpler, and partly for the same braking effect you mentioned. I certainly found it an effective way of slowing my Yak 52 down to circuit speed, with that big paddle prop it was almost like hitting a brick wall as you went fully fine.

I have booked up some Supercub time to get my feet working again, and contacted the LAA coaching scheme for further work towards conversion to type.

The thought of walking out to my aircraft for the first time and flying it without the benefit of dual controls is a bit daunting, makes me feel like the poor old ATA people during the war faced with an unknown aircraft and an instruction manual.

Any other 'gotchas'?

Moggy

Member for

15 years 3 months

Posts: 201

I'd suggest something more like a Pitts, Supercubs are real pussycats and won't get you thinking as much as a Pitts. The 4 is not as hard as a Pitts but I'd say you have to work harder than a Supercub. Being a bit taller than most I found the 4 a bit limited headroom wise. Aero's with a fixed pitch aren't a problem, just use your left hand a bit. I'd really suggest not doing aero's with anybody in back, no matter what weight, it will let go pretty quick and violently. Once yoo master zipping round you will be amazed where you can get in and out of, they are a very capable machine. :D

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 1,389

Well Done Moggy.

I love the RV-4.

I love the RV-4 in a chequered Mustang Scheme.

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 16,832

It does look quite P51 if you squint a bit and have a really vivid imagination.

The current best guess for the interim step is the Extra at Cambridge Airport (Marshalls)

Left hand not needed with the CS prop :)

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y103/moggycattermole/Landingnadz.jpg

Moggy

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 1,389

It looks even more P51 when its in the scheme this one was at the local PFA strut fly in at East Fortune airfield a few years ago.

I will try and find a link to a picture of it here and post it.

My pics are in such a mess after three moves in 2 years.

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 1,389

http://www.planepictures.net/netshow.php?id=157668

Hope the link works.

Copyright to Scott Bannister

Doenst look as nice as the pics I have of her but hey smart looking aircraft in its own right it doesnt need to be a copy cat.

Cant believe that was 2003. Where does the time go.