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Thread: I'm an OFFICIAL KITFOX OWNER!

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  1. #1
    Administrator DesertFox4's Avatar
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    Default Re: I'm an OFFICIAL KITFOX OWNER!

    Congrats WWhunter.


    DesertFox4
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    7 Super Sport
    912 ULS Tri-gear


  2. #2
    Senior Member Dave S's Avatar
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    Default Re: I'm an OFFICIAL KITFOX OWNER!

    Keith,

    Any idea what kind of heater you will be using? I know the IV's have a few more open spaces; but, I found on our later model (S7) that giving some attention to blocking off as many pneumonia holes as possible for winter operation made the craft quite comfortable in cold weather flying....I ended up instaling a couple SCAT tubes to direct some warm air to the windshield from the heat exchanger.

    Congratulations on your purchase....let the fun begin!

    Sincerely,

    Dave S
    KF7 Trigear
    912ULS Warp Drive
    St Paul, Minnesnowta

  3. #3
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    Default Re: I'm an OFFICIAL KITFOX OWNER!

    Dave,
    I will have to double check but I think there are 2 'heater core' type heaters already installed. I may be thinking of another KF I had looked at but it seems that there is one on each side of the plane installed under the panel. If they are there I had planned on cutting a couple of vents for defrosting of the windshield also. This from a previous experience of freezing my face everytime I flew.

    It was single digits here yesterday morning so I know your concern about getting heat into the cabin.

    I remember my Champ being rather cold in the winter, I stuffed rags into places I didn't even know existed!!! That old plane was DRAFTY!!! Besides the fact that the very front/bottom of the winshield was not sealed so I always had an arctic blast on my face.

  4. #4
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    Default Re: I'm an OFFICIAL KITFOX OWNER!

    It's dirty but I think it has potential. Thanks Av8r3400 for the info on how to attach pictures.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  5. #5
    Senior Member HighWing's Avatar
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    Default Re: I'm an OFFICIAL KITFOX OWNER!

    Congratulations on the find. I feel a strong connection on the vintage as my first IV was a 1993. I purchased from Denney and received delivery from Skystar. SN334008

    Thoughts on upgrades: It will depend on what your plans are for the airplane. I concur with the elevator trim tab. It will add a pound or two to the aft end. Not hard to do, takes some time, but once done it will yield benefits forever - no looking back! I would go with the Home Builders Special tailwheel - light weight and quiet. I would consider very carefully window glass and landing gear. The acrylic is probably three times the weight of the Polycarbonate and the Grove Gear will weigh almost three times the weight of your stock gear legs. No real opinion on wheels or brakes except I have had near perfect experience with the original Matco and the 8 inch wheels. The near perfect has to do with the original vintage pads on the Matco. They will fail for sure in the first few hours. They just crack, "brake" up and fall out. I felt rather stupid when the pads failed on the 1992 IV I recently finished on a flight to Arizona after having the same experience on the 1993 IV. On the flight to Arizona it was Hal that saved the day. Now I refer to him as MacGyver. If you decide to stay with the Matco's replacing the brake pads is a MUST do. For me then it was smooth sailing for nine years on those brakes.

    One of Hal's buddies, Mark, built an early IV that weighed 604 lbs. Mine at the time with the Grove gear plus lots of creature comforts weighed exactly 100 pounds more - 704 lbs. That's a lot of ounces here and there - Just saying....
    Lowell Fitt
    Goodyear, AZ


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  6. #6
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    Default Re: I'm an OFFICIAL KITFOX OWNER!

    Remember when you clean the plea use a non ammonia cleaner, Sam's & Costco's both sell an aerosol spray cleaner that works well. I use it to clean the leading edges, doors, turtle deck cover, and windscreen. It works really great!
    Paul Zimmermann
    LSRM-A
    Garland, Texas

  7. #7
    Senior Member t j's Avatar
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    Default Re: I'm an OFFICIAL KITFOX OWNER!

    Bubble doors and preformed windshield are Acrylic. Very fragile and easy to crack when installing. heavy, and expensive. On the other hand, they don't scratch nearly as easy as lexan. With the current windshield to use as a pattern, fabricating and installing a new lexan one is a one day job.

    The photos look like it is ready, or nearly ready to fly. I would check the main wheel alignment before flying. http://www.teamkitfox.com/Forums/sho...ment#post17382
    Tom Jones
    Classic 4 builder

  8. #8
    kitfoxnick's Avatar
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    Default Re: I'm an OFFICIAL KITFOX OWNER!

    My opinion (it's worth what you pay for it) for the type of flying I do,keeping up with Super Cubs.
    1. vg's. I like Pacific Northwest Aero set 3.75" aft of leading edge
    2. New ethanol resistant tanks from Kitfox. The tanks of this vintage have problems.
    3. Grove gear
    4. 26" Airstreaks I run mine at about 3psi
    5. A new prop.
    6. Gap seal the tail feathers
    7. New tail wheel. Matco has a nice tailwheel that is a Carlisle lawn mower deck tire that works well.

    Keep it light everything I mentioned adds weight. My model 4 is heavier than I like at 680lbs. The closer to 600lbs the more fun.
    Nick W
    IV 1200
    912Ul
    Warp Taper Tip

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