I ordered mine on July 25, and they gave me an approximate crating date of November 13. I thought the date would probably slip when I ordered it, but Van's was right on time! The kit was delivered a few days before Thanksgiving. Here are my first impressions:
1. Lots of parts look similar to old parts, but they have slight differences. Parts that have changed (and there are a lot of them) have a different part number. For example, the F-1276 belly skin is now an F-01276-1 skin.
2. The fuel tank is included in the fuse kit, but the turtle deck and aft window aren't. Much of the instrument panel is missing, too. However, the handle to help you get in and out that goes on the panel is included.
3. The steps aren't included, but you can see the holes where they will probably attach.
4. The longerons are pre-bent, but they are not twisted and they still have to be opened 5.4 degrees.
5. The seats look different. No hinges on the seat pans and the seatback braces are more like the 7A and 9A. The control console that goes between the seats isn't part of this kit; it must be part of the finish kit.
6. Perhaps the biggest difference between old and new is the fuel system. The plans show both the iS and ULS options. The iS system is much more complicated than the ULS option. Lots of filters, multiple pumps, etc., but as a fellow RV-12 builder explained to me, that?s normal with a fuel injected engine (thanks, John!). The expensive stuff (pumps, filters, etc.) is in a different kit, but it is shown on the plans.
The new ULS fuel system is also different from the original. The gascolator and fuel shutoff valve are both in the back where the tail cone meets the baggage bulkhead. It's not indicated for either system how you shut off the fuel from the cockpit. The red knob that the original kits have isn?t shown in the plans. Perhaps it?s part of the finish kit.
That's what I've noticed so far, but I'm still doing inventory. Scott or anyone else, please correct me if my initial observations are wrong.