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Sam M.
Unregistered
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 Posted Friday, July 4, 2008 @ 09:30 PM
Our rf4 flew for the first time after a complete rebuild today, my dad was the lucky one to be the first to handle the amazing little bird. We covered it in the light weight glider fabric(1.7ounce). the engine was rebuilt by my uncle and upgraded to 1400cc.
Specs:
Empty weight:with seat cushions,hand held radio and No Fuel:583 pounds.
static run up: with a 54 by 27 prop: 3200
climb rpm: around 3400.
Indicated Climb rate: with my dad and 5 gallons of fuel (813 pounds) it was 700fpm. when im flying it i will do some timed tests.
cruise speed: he told me he never had it at full power level flight, but at 2900 he said it was around 90 mph.
once i start flying it i will do some more accurate tests.
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Sam M.
Unregistered
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Posted Saturday, July 5, 2008 @ 02:59 AM
[Edit by Sam M. on Saturday, July 5, 2008 @ 03:00 AM]
[Edit by Sam M. on Saturday, July 5, 2008 @ 03:07 AM]
[Edit by Sam M. on Saturday, July 5, 2008 @ 03:13 AM]
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Donald
Unregistered
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Posted Saturday, July 5, 2008 @ 03:50 AM
Hi Sam, congratulations on getting your RF4 finished and flying. She looks great. I bet your dad's still grinning.
I see she has the original style of outrigger legs. Out of interest would you care to post a couple of detail photos. I'd like to see the connections to the airframe front and back and between the two 'wires' of the leg. Oh yes, and the wheel connection too.
Thanks,
Donald
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Bob Grimstead
Unregistered
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Posted Saturday, July 5, 2008 @ 04:27 AM
Hey Sam,
That's brilliant news. Many, many congratulations.
I hope you enjoy flying her when you get the chance, and I wish you many more happy hours in her in the future.
Good luck with yor own first flight.
Yours, Bob
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Sam M.
Unregistered
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Posted Saturday, July 5, 2008 @ 11:48 AM
Thanks Bob,
i might get to handle her this evening i will let you guys know if it is still intact after i fly it 
Donald i will try to get some pics today and post them tonight.
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Sam M.
Unregistered
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Posted Saturday, July 5, 2008 @ 09:50 PM
YEAH!
I got to fly it this evening! With me(130 pounds)and parachute(10lbs) it really leaped off the ground! I was surprised at how much left rudder was needed on climb, and everything was so responsive and light! so I climbed to 2000 feet and leveld off. then I felt somthing on my right leg Oh Yeah the Gear! Oh well i guess i was so nervous i forgot to put it up on climb. so up came the the gear and i flew around over town and did some tight turns and such for half an hour and came in and wheeled it on, sure landed nice and easy.
So now I am one of the few and the proud who have flown an RF4D!
Ps Sorry Donald when i got to the airport i forgot the camera, ill try to remember tomorw
[Edit by Sam M. on Saturday, July 5, 2008 @ 10:24 PM]
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Collin
Unregistered
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Posted Saturday, July 5, 2008 @ 10:25 PM
Sam,
Great you that you and your dad have both flown the RF4 today.
Take care
Collin
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Donald
Unregistered
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Posted Sunday, July 6, 2008 @ 02:41 AM
Sam, terrific that you have flown your baby. Now you and your dad can grin stupidly at each other. 
No worries about the photos and don't go out of your way. It's just out of interest for my RF3 has nylon rods for the ouriggers and while they are OK I've never thought they were very well thought out. So much of the original design seems to me to be so well designed I'd love to see how that was arranged.
When you say you "wheeled it on" do you mean on the main gear only? I'm pretty sure my French language handbook recommends not doing that, but my command of French is a little rudimentary and I may have misunderstood.
Anyway, I wish you joy of N1700F. I love my 3 but I covet a 4.
Donald
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Sam M.
Unregistered
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Posted Sunday, July 6, 2008 @ 11:52 AM
I havn't read that in my handbook(yet) but yes i did wheel land it, it didnt want to bounce right back up. it was nice and easy, it touched and stayed down. i will experiment with 2 points later doday.
And remeber the camera!
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Sam M.
Unregistered
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Posted Sunday, July 13, 2008 @ 09:54 PM
hey guys, just got back from my first XC to Lompoc calif for the cub fly-in. it was a fun weekend. my mom flew her cub,i flew the rf, and my dad flew his stearman. it was around an hour up and back around 105 cruise. the rf sure got a lot of attention! to bad only cubs could compete or i would have dominated the spot landing with those spoilers!
Fuel burn to lompoc(about100 miles from us)
cub=6 gals
stearman= 20 gallons
rf4d = 2.5 gals
[Edit by Sam M. on Sunday, July 13, 2008 @ 09:56 PM]
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