Posted by luftfahrtarchive on Thursday, October 5, 2017 @ 05:33 PM:
Could anyone help me with the RF-6 Prototypes?
Here is, what I know / find out:
(not necessarily correct!!!)
a) RF-6 Prototype 2+2 cockpit
I found two prototypes ... D-EHTD (FF 15.03.73), D-EASK (FF 1974)
Were they built at Sportavia or at Nitray?
Are they Sportavia c/n 6001 and 6002, or are their c/ns separated from the later Sportavia RF-6C c/n?
D-EASK is still operating in Germany, does anyone know, what happened to D-EHTD?
b) RF-6B Prototype 2 seater
This was F-BPXV (FF 12.04.1974)
c) RF-6C Prototyoe 4 seater
I expect, this was D-EHYO (FF 28.04.1976), crashed 16.05.1977
(It is quite often mentioned as the RF-6 Prototype, which first flew in 1973, but I guess this is a mistake)
Was this Sportavia c/n 6001 or c/n 6003 (with the RF-6 protoypes being 6001 and 6002)?
d) RS-180 Prototype 4 seater, modified tail
I guess, this is D-ECSQ (FF 03.1977), even if all RF-6C up to 6004 did not have the 180 hp engine.
Is it c/n 6002 (following D-EHYO), some sources also mention it as c/n 6003?
Any further info (also to the further history of the prototypes)
or correction/confirmation to the above is highly welcome
Best, Horst
Posted by Bob Grimstead on Monday, January 1, 2018 @ 08:38 PM:
Hi Horst,
Happy New Year.
The redoutable Rupert Simpson says in his usually impeccable 'Airlife's General Aviation' 1995 that the prototype RF-6B was registered F-WPXV and flew on 12 March 1974. It would have been re-registered as F-BPXV after testing was completed.
The first production RF6B was F-BVKS and was 'rolled out' in March 1976.
RF-6B/120 c/n 44 F-GANF flew on 16 August 1980.
RF-6C prototype was four-seater D-EHYO c/n 6001 flew 28 April 1976.
A two-seater D-EASK c/n 6002 had bigger canopy and Grumman Tiger undercarriage.
Two other RF-6Cs were built: 6003 & 6004
Then RS-180 Sportsman D-ENTY c/n 6005.
Eighteen production RS-180s ended with D-EBFS c/n 6022 in 1979.
If you want to know the whereabouts of RF-6B No3 contact me.
Also if you want to know about the RF47-01 with Sauer engine.
All the best, Bob
--------------------
Flying and displaying Fournier RF4Ds VH-HDO and G-AWGN, building replica RF6B G-RFGB and custodian of RF6B prototype F-BPXV
Posted by Bob Grimstead on Monday, January 1, 2018 @ 10:06 PM:
René's book says that the first flight of the prototype RF6B took place at Nitray on 12 March 1974, not 12/4/74.
[Edit by Bob Grimstead on Monday, January 1, 2018 @ 10:09 PM]
--------------------
Flying and displaying Fournier RF4Ds VH-HDO and G-AWGN, building replica RF6B G-RFGB and custodian of RF6B prototype F-BPXV
Posted by Bob Grimstead on Monday, January 22, 2018 @ 05:57 PM:
Beware, the designation RF6 belongs to the ill-fated four-seater.
The two-seater is the RF6B (Biplace).
--------------------
Flying and displaying Fournier RF4Ds VH-HDO and G-AWGN, building replica RF6B G-RFGB and custodian of RF6B prototype F-BPXV
Posted by Bob Grimstead on Monday, February 19, 2018 @ 05:54 AM:
This is what Jane's 1976/77 says. And Jane's get their information direct from the manufacturer.
--------------------
Flying and displaying Fournier RF4Ds VH-HDO and G-AWGN, building replica RF6B G-RFGB and custodian of RF6B prototype F-BPXV