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Thread: Rcbif's Kitfox Model 5 Outback Build

  1. #11
    Senior Member jmodguy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Rcbif's Kitfox Model 5 Outback Build

    Jeff
    KF 5
    340KF

  2. #12
    rcbif's Avatar
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    Default Re: Rcbif's Kitfox Model 5 Outback Build

    Thanks. Right after you posted that I found a scrap piece with material mark.


    Continuing going over everything done today I found a deviation I hope is not an issue...

    I noticed the drag link pattern is not symetrical from wing to wing. The manual shows for the 13gal tank version of the wing, the drag link pattern starts at the front spar, but one of my wing, it starts at the rear spar.

    Cant think of a reason behind this, or if its a genuine goof up. Will this affect anything? Their main reason is just to add triangulation to keep the wings square, right?
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    Building a Kitfox V Outback in NE Ohio

  3. #13
    rcbif's Avatar
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    Default Re: Rcbif's Kitfox Model 5 Outback Build

    Well appears someone else has had this situation, and Brandon at Kitfox says it wont affect anything - other than my symmetry OCD, lol

    Only other thing I noticed was the rudder deflection was greater than 30° - enough to hit the horizontal, but I guess that is a common issue. Got plenty of time to decide to to address that though. Either a nut and bolt or doubled over plate riveted over the top plate.

    Time to start designing a wing rigging jig...
    Building a Kitfox V Outback in NE Ohio

  4. #14
    rcbif's Avatar
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    Default Re: Rcbif's Kitfox Model 5 Outback Build

    Finally done going over all the stuff that has been done, and spent the weekend making wing holders for wing rigging, making leveling blocks for the front, a tail support for the rear, remarking where the lift struts attach, and taking off the landing gear. Also made the temporary supports to attach the lift struts to the wings.

    I have the stock model V lifts struts, and the aftermarket aero ones. I was going to use the stock ones for rigging since they are lighter, but noticed the aero ones are 1/4" shorter. Because of this difference, I decided I should probably rig with what will be on there, so I wrapped up the aero struts on foam to protect them during the rigging process.

    Just some quick phone pics. My actual builds pics are on my camera at the hangar, and are mostly of me making sawdust for the past 2 days.

    Sure makes the RV look small and hangar shrunk with the wings outstretched.

    20190915_121832.jpg20190915_121910.jpg
    Building a Kitfox V Outback in NE Ohio

  5. #15
    rcbif's Avatar
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    Default Re: Rcbif's Kitfox Model 5 Outback Build

    Got the wings rigged Sunday after some messing with the aero lift struts. Not sure if they were an early run or what, but for the price, a customer should not have to be grinding weld beads and powdercoat out of the inside of the fish mouth fuselage mounting point. The fit was not even close. Weld beads extended .050" or more into the mouth both top and bottom. Now I gotta touch-up the powdercoat for something that should have been re-machined post weld process.

    Spend about 4 hours fitting the fish-mouth portion. One lift strut, if attached to the fuselage and having the wing end supported by hand, has a slight twist that originates at the fishmouth and it's hole, resulting in one rod end naturally resting 1" higher than the other. It takes about 4 pounds of pressure to make the rod ends even height-wise. Hope this does not come back and bite me in the rigging process.

    Zero sweep and perpendicular to centerline went well.

    Will be setting the dihedral and twist tonight, and examining the one lift strut to be sure it wont cause any issues.

    20190922_172621.jpg20190922_172610.jpg
    Building a Kitfox V Outback in NE Ohio

  6. #16
    Senior Member bbs428's Avatar
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    Default Re: Rcbif's Kitfox Model 5 Outback Build

    Great finding your 5 in such nice shape.
    I spent a lot of time and effort in the wing adjustment prior to drilling the holes.
    Seemed to take days of checking, adjusting and re-checking.
    Sounds like your doing fine.
    All the best. Enjoy!!
    Somebody said that carrier pilots were the best in the world, and they must be or there wouldn't be any of them left alive. — Ernie Pyle

    Brett Butler
    Flying: 1998 Model 5 Outback, 912ul Zipper 110hp, G3x avionics, ss7 upgrades

  7. #17
    Senior Member bbs428's Avatar
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    Default Re: Rcbif's Kitfox Model 5 Outback Build

    That hanger space looks great for building. Caveat is once it's built - your there at the airport. No white knuckle transport in the middle of the night! How far is it from your home? My local airport is Joplin, Mo. About 20 min. from my home. Hangers are hard to come by. Gotta know someone who knows someone.

    When you get your large turtlback let me know how much it weighs. If you don't have one yet - purchase a digital scale as to document all equipment for weight and balance. I found one at my local mega-mart. Comes in handy as you add stuff. Reinforces the "keep it light" mind set.
    Somebody said that carrier pilots were the best in the world, and they must be or there wouldn't be any of them left alive. — Ernie Pyle

    Brett Butler
    Flying: 1998 Model 5 Outback, 912ul Zipper 110hp, G3x avionics, ss7 upgrades

  8. #18
    rcbif's Avatar
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    Default Re: Rcbif's Kitfox Model 5 Outback Build

    Quote Originally Posted by bbs428 View Post
    That hanger space looks great for building. Caveat is once it's built - your there at the airport. No white knuckle transport in the middle of the night! How far is it from your home? My local airport is Joplin, Mo. About 20 min. from my home. Hangers are hard to come by. Gotta know someone who knows someone.

    When you get your large turtlback let me know how much it weighs. If you don't have one yet - purchase a digital scale as to document all equipment for weight and balance. I found one at my local mega-mart. Comes in handy as you add stuff. Reinforces the "keep it light" mind set.
    Ya, the hangar is great and the owner is a nice guy. Could not have imagined I would have better place to build. I was prepared to build in a small dark t-hangar with single torpedo heater, but a friend introduced me to his friend. The hangar has a separate enclosed shop big enough for wings, and an upstairs lounge/kitchen. I may be "snowed in" a few times this winter

    It's 15 min from my house, mostly down a state route. Nice easy drive.

    Though it can be flown out, my first landing defiantly wont be there. Not even half mile long, and narrow with little clearance to the parallel taxiway and nearby structures. There is another runway 2 miles away that is twice the size I could trailer to if I chicken out and want more space for high-speed taxi test and whatnot.

    I'm probably months away from my turtle deck order. Did yours ship by itself?(got a ship cost if so?) If shipping is over $100, I may just drive over to PA an pick one up at the AP factory.
    Building a Kitfox V Outback in NE Ohio

  9. #19
    Senior Member bbs428's Avatar
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    Default Re: Rcbif's Kitfox Model 5 Outback Build

    I can empathize about runway being to small. From the air it probably looks even smaller. You have a lounge and kitchen as well? Wow!

    My shop is right out my side door. I'll have to work on modifying a boat trailer or use my buddies flatbed to get it to the Joplin airport.
    It has two runways: 13/31 is 6,501 by 150 feet and 18/36 is 6,500 by 100 feet. So plenty big enough. It's a regional hub so I'll be restricted when the heavy a/c arrive and depart. Sure hope I can find a hanger when the time comes but no use worrying about it now.

    My TB came packed with the FWF kit. No telling how much shipping could be - but I bet it's over 50.00 bucks.
    Somebody said that carrier pilots were the best in the world, and they must be or there wouldn't be any of them left alive. — Ernie Pyle

    Brett Butler
    Flying: 1998 Model 5 Outback, 912ul Zipper 110hp, G3x avionics, ss7 upgrades

  10. #20
    rcbif's Avatar
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    Default Re: Rcbif's Kitfox Model 5 Outback Build

    My FWF is about 10 weeks out, so maybe I'll add it to that order when the time comes. If lucky, maybe they wont have to increase their standard crate size for it.
    Building a Kitfox V Outback in NE Ohio

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