I think Keith nailed it on the head. These are 2 separate "class" airplanes. My wife and I were initially looking for a KF for years. I rode in one and decided it was what we wanted, as I wanted the folding wings to keep in a trailer. As we looked around and sat down to evaluate our real mission, we realized the KF wasn't going to fulfill what we actually needed an aircraft to do. I ran across a Rebel in need of some TLC for a very reasonable price and snatched it up. Since then we repainted, put in a whole new panel, and did some minor engine work to make up for the PO glazing the cylinders after a rebuild. I do have the 0-290 and though it is great for the time being, will move up to an 0-320 or 0-360 when the time comes.

With full fuel, my wife and I, the smoke system, and the tools we can take off in just over 200' near SL at 85 degrees on 31" bushwheels. Not bad considering I'm producing 125 hp. From experience I know if I can fit it in the plane, it's going to come with me and have a short t/o roll at that. The cargo space is crazy big and once I'm up, I settle into a 110mph cruise with the 4 blade warp at 2300 rpm. The avex rivets are easy to drill out/replace should the need arise. Other than that, no mx required with them and no issues with them working loose.

Mine is a standard Rebel on wheels. There is a gentleman not far from me with the factory Rebel Elite demonstrator on floats. Again, a much different animal than the KF. He has a very small room to work with on the water with obstacles all around. Due to the lacking performance of his SC on floats, he sold it off and purchased the Rebel. Both AC had the same engine, but performance wasn't close to the same. As for mine, it will stay on wheels as I have no desire for floats.

My Rebel fits my mission perfectly allowing us to travel long distances and take a relatively large load along at a nice pace and reasonable fuel burn. (~7gph or less, depending on cruise altitude) I am frequently gone traveling out of country a few times a year and gets flown regularly by a friend. The wife is in the middle of transition training to get her tailwheel and start flying it.

For anyone interested in taking a ride, feel free to shoot me a PM. We live in the Florida panhandle close to Destin/Pensacola and would be happy to show why we love our Rebel.