Airdog
12-28-2010, 06:47 PM
Hi Gang!
Wonderful forum here! I'm a long time reader and this is my first post. I've been evaluating different homebuilts for well over a year now and keep coming back to Kitfox. I grew up flying with my dad and uncle and I'm very close to getting my private's certificate. So naturally I'm getting an itch to build (as in finish!) a kit while I build up hours in a 172, get tailwheel experience, etc.
I'm looking at possibly purchasing an unfinished mod 3 kit with mod 4 wings and a grey head 582LC engine. So I have a few questions:
1. Any general impressions, issues, concerns of a mod 3 w/ mod 4 wings? Any issues mounting 4 wings to a 3 fuselage?
2. How does the grey head 582 compare to a blue head? I'm really only looking to get 3-400 hours out of it before switching to a 80 hp 912 or possibly an HKS.
3. The current owner said the gas tank is a behind-the-instrument-panel type with another wing tank on the right side. I'm not too keen about fuel in front of me but could live with it, but the boss says "no way!" So, has anyone swapped out a dash mounted tank for a wing tank? Any W/B issues or other concerns? I would greatly appreciate any info you all may have on this.
4. Lastly, none of the kit has been covered yet, and the seller says he has the original cloth that came with the kit back in 1991. Any issues with old cloth? And, is the cloth specific to each covering system? I've read that the Stewarts system is more workable, so if possible I'd like to be able to buy just those chemicals. I'm kind of being lazy with this question because I'm sure I could research this out, but any insight you guys have.... which you always do!!! ... would be great!
I'm sure a lot of this info is in previous posts, but I've read through a bunch and haven't seen these specific questions.
Thanks Guys!
Wonderful forum here! I'm a long time reader and this is my first post. I've been evaluating different homebuilts for well over a year now and keep coming back to Kitfox. I grew up flying with my dad and uncle and I'm very close to getting my private's certificate. So naturally I'm getting an itch to build (as in finish!) a kit while I build up hours in a 172, get tailwheel experience, etc.
I'm looking at possibly purchasing an unfinished mod 3 kit with mod 4 wings and a grey head 582LC engine. So I have a few questions:
1. Any general impressions, issues, concerns of a mod 3 w/ mod 4 wings? Any issues mounting 4 wings to a 3 fuselage?
2. How does the grey head 582 compare to a blue head? I'm really only looking to get 3-400 hours out of it before switching to a 80 hp 912 or possibly an HKS.
3. The current owner said the gas tank is a behind-the-instrument-panel type with another wing tank on the right side. I'm not too keen about fuel in front of me but could live with it, but the boss says "no way!" So, has anyone swapped out a dash mounted tank for a wing tank? Any W/B issues or other concerns? I would greatly appreciate any info you all may have on this.
4. Lastly, none of the kit has been covered yet, and the seller says he has the original cloth that came with the kit back in 1991. Any issues with old cloth? And, is the cloth specific to each covering system? I've read that the Stewarts system is more workable, so if possible I'd like to be able to buy just those chemicals. I'm kind of being lazy with this question because I'm sure I could research this out, but any insight you guys have.... which you always do!!! ... would be great!
I'm sure a lot of this info is in previous posts, but I've read through a bunch and haven't seen these specific questions.
Thanks Guys!