Username Protected wrote:
It's hard to describe just how well the RV8 flies. Balanced, light, responsive....it's just perfect. The only thing that ever came close for me was a Bucker Jungmann we had for a while, and the 8 goes 200mph and has a heater. Mine has an IO390 with a constant speed and climbs like a homesick angel. It lands reasonably short and will get out of anywhere it can get into. As far as taildraggers go it's very honest and easy to fly.
Van always used to joke that the RV's fly the way you think a WW2 fighter flies. I don't have any fighter time, but I don't think it's a joke. I'm told most of them actually fly like trucks. In fact, when I visit them in private hangers it's not uncommon to find an RV in the same hanger. The RV is always in front of the fighter.
Bottom line: if you want a plane that looks like a fighter, get the SW51. If you want a plane that flies like a fighter....or at least like how you dream a fighter would fly....get the RV8.
I have lots of fighter time, and you are absolutely correct, the RV's fly like fighters. I even wrote an article for Kitplanes in 2004 that compared the RV-4 to the Corsair... The numbers have sure changed. $75 to fill up an RV, and a million to buy a Corsair...
