Hoenshell's Build

[Hoenshell]

Can the floor board and control column be removed with the fabric already installed on the fuselage? I would like to paint these parts a different color and I don't know if it's possible to get to the nuts which are now covered by the fabric?

[Hoenshell]

I found this thread and looks like you have to access the nuts through the fabric? Maybe the only way is to create inspection holes? Might be too much work to change color of control rod.

http://www.teamkitfox.com/Forums/sho...ght=floorboard

[Hoenshell]

The previous builder used fabric and sewn in window for the butt rib close out. If you can see in the picture the window has some kind of orange peel, probably from age. It looks like most builders are not going this route?

[HighWing]

For some reason on my 1993 Model IV, I left the butt rib uncovered. I came to like the look and the ease of checking things out visually during the year without having to fold the wings. The New IV is the same. I recall being able to see the actual fuel sloshing in the tank through the translucent end panel. Just me, I guess, as I see most closing that area and leaving the window for the sight gauges.

[Dave S]

Shawn,


I think what you are looking at with the fabric covered buttrib and plastic sewn in window is an artifact of the original kit design.


Even our early S7, which predated the time when John Mc Bean owned the company, had instructions in the build manual for the same type of closure. I elected to fabricate light weight aluminum plates for the front and rear rib openings; and, a polycarbonate window for the center section over the sight gauges - which is the design Kitfox now uses. This also provides access to the door hinge bolts which you could not get to with the fabric covered design. I think most of us are currently bonding in aluminum closure between the door hinges between the buttrib and the fuselage frame to close off the outside without using the fabric wrap around.

[Northof49]

I covered the I/B side of my butt ribs with 0.016 aluminum; cut out the center for the sight glass , then fabricated wing root fairings so I get a good seal at the top of the door.

[Hoenshell]

Well, I removed the fabric last night; especially after seeing one in person that used aluminum and poly-carbonate to close off the butt rib. That fabric had to go because of the poor visibility though that window. Thanks for the info guys!

[Hoenshell]

So I'm working on getting the MIV Bush Gear, 22" Dresser Tundra tires with Grove Wheels and Brakes. That should pretty much take care of the front gear, but what about the back end? This is what I have now. I think I need to upgrade to a pneumatic tire at minimum, but anyone know if this spring is alright? It was an aluminum tailspring upgrade from Kitfox back in the 1999. Do I need to upgrade this whole tailwheel setup?

[Dusty]

Tha aluminium spring in conjunction with a pneumatic tail wheel is great on blacktop, but is way too stiff for anything else.Also a ground loop with the maule tail wheel and this tall Spring WILL do damage.Matco make a great tail wheel!

[Av8r_Sed]

I have that spring and an 8” pneumatic Matco tailwheel. It works well for me. I fly mostly turf strips.