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Radial RV

mrblob

mrblob

Well Known Member
I have a wild and crazy idea! Maybe somebody who's good with photo shop can help with the visual aids:

Anybody ever thought of putting a Rotec Radial on an RV? Maybe an RV-3 or -4 with the R-3600. It'd be like a miniature Radial Rocket!

Discuss. :)

Paul
 
I love the front end on that thing. Just put a jet engine in it and you got a MiG-15!:D
 
Radials were meant to go round 'n round!

hey, love to go aviate in my RV -Radialate! ( TM) but for the combination of warbird, sweet flying machine etc. how about this Chipmunk. Fell in love with them at my first airshow I think!

http://www.rotecengines.com/Projects/RickKsander.html

ok, so a bit of a challenge to see past the nose, ( compared to the ranger inline) so you slip a little to landing.....pure style eh!?

evidently it ain't all that easy to bolt one on....not too many flying yet!

( Walter Mitty helmet firmly pulled down over ears......"ack, ack, ack, ack ")
 
RV-8R

The RV-8R was conceived in 2007, I had been looking to do something different with the RV-8 and had also been following Rotec since they started up production.
I like the R-3600 because it fits all of the current engineering parameters for the airframe (I.E. weight, horsepower, dimentions). In fact the parameters are almost identical to a Lycoming O-320.
I didn't just want to hang the engine on the airframe and try to "make it work", so I did extensive designing to make the airframe accept the engine. The top and bottom of the firewall have new shapes, and the top and bottom skins are relofted with new intermediate bulkheads. Currently I'm working on the fiberglass, and as Paul said, I have a long way to go before she gets into the air. When I make progress on the airframe I'll post pictures on the http://www.facebook.com/radialconversions. If anyone would like updates on the project you can hit the "like" button on the page and you will be all set. In the mean time here are some pics of the firewall and current progress.

All the best,
Brian Kelly

RV-8R-1.jpg

Picture668.jpg

Picture667.jpg

RV-8R2Navy.jpg
 
Thanks loop! Mr blob, these kinds of things are what defines our experimental aviation community as being particularly special. Keep the great ideas coming...

Brian
 
Fantastic project! Looks like some real fine workmanship especially given the work on tweaking the firewall shape.

I went to the Rotec site and read up a bit on this engine and noticed that they advertise 150hp @3600rpm but only generate 2300 - 2400rpm for take off.

Will this result in a lower HP rating for you at take off?
 
That is propeller rpm. The engine has a propeller gear reduction which gives you more torque. The propeller is going to have to be sized just right for this application as I don't have the ground clearance for their standard 2 blade prop.
 
Very Cool!

Brian,
That's awesome! Ever since I saw Rotec come on the scene years ago, I've been thinking it would be cool to put one on an RV-3. Looks like a great fit on the -8. Love the new lines! I'll be following your progress on Facebook. Best of luck with the project. I hope to see it in person someday.
Paul
 
I thought about it and actually laid it out on paper, but in the end I descided to honor our U.S. Navy. I think the aircraft most closely resembles an F6F Hellcat. The paint job I chose is a WWII scheme from the USS Lexington in 1945. Doesn't mean in the future another radial RV couldn't join mine on the flight line in German colors ;)
 
flyboy1963 said:
hey, love to go aviate in my RV -Radialate! ( TM) but for the combination of warbird, sweet flying machine etc. how about this Chipmunk. Fell in love with them at my first airshow I think!

http://www.rotecengines.com/Projects/RickKsander.html
Click to expand...
That, my friend, is nothing short of sacrilege. That poor deHavilland! It deserved better.

But I do agree the Lycoming conversions are awful to look at too, even if they do fly wonderfully according to those who have had the chance...
 
flyboykelly said:
That is propeller rpm. The engine has a propeller gear reduction which gives you more torque. The propeller is going to have to be sized just right for this application as I don't have the ground clearance for their standard 2 blade prop.
Click to expand...

That plus an F6F scheme. Sounds like you need a 4 blade prop to me. :)
 
RV8RIVETER said:
That plus an F6F scheme. Sounds like you need a 4 blade prop to me. :)
Click to expand...

While that would look cool I bet I would take a heck of a performance hit with it. The ideal prop for this engine is an 84" dia with 55" pitch two blade. I don't have the ground clearance for that so a three blade will do just fine, plus the F6F only had three blades;). This is an airplane that is of a similar size with the prop I'll be using.http://www.rotecaerosport.com/2012/03/mick-zenith/
 
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flyboykelly said:
While that would look cool I bet I would take a heck of a performance hit with it. URL="http://www.rotecaerosport.com/2012/03/mick-zenith/"]http://www.rotecaerosport.com/2012/03/mick-zenith/[/URL]
Click to expand...



Cool prop. I can't wait to see it fly.

Just for the record, I think Paul Lipps put that myth of 3,4 blade props being worse in perfomance, to bed a while ago. Just take a look at the "horrible" performance of the Phantom biplane racer with it's 4 blade. It is all in the design.
 
RV8RIVETER said:
Cool prop. I can't wait to see it fly.

Just for the record, I think Paul Lipps put that myth of 3,4 blade props being worse in perfomance, to bed a while ago. Just take a look at the "horrible" performance of the Phantom biplane racer with it's 4 blade. It is all in the design.
Click to expand...

My comments were made based on manufacture recommendations from Rotec. In their experience with the R3600 a longer two blade propeller provided the best performance due to the reduced blade tip speeds with the gear reduction.
 
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