Hello Mark

What is your opinion on a quickbuilt MII and quickbuilt Van8 for exemple

Marc Montréal Canada

<opinion>
The Mustang II we bought has a centre section that was plans built (not
finished assembled), most of the Fuselage and empenage parts are kit parts,
and fast build wings (not started).

From what I can tell, the kits for the Mustang are farmed out to various

retired guys, although I understand that Chris Tieman is constantly
improving his kits. The quality of the wings looks good (we haven't started
them yet) but it is not the erector set CNC matched hole quality of Vans. I
would guess that a quick build kit for the Mustang would put you roughly a
the same stage as a slow build kit from Vans.

The building instructions for the Vans aircraft are excellent. Not just the
plans, but the instructions are really clear and step by step. The
instructions for the Mustang are much more general guidelines.

The VNE of the RV-8 is 230mph, same as the MII. The fat Hershey bar Vans
wing hits a bit of a drag wall, at about 200mph - you can force it to
faster, but it take a fair bit of juice. Although the RV-8 performance is
spectacular, in top speed the Mustang wing has more potential. I personally
wouldn't put much weight on top speed in terms of the purchase decision. If
you end up with a plane you don't like the feel of, or that scares you when
you need to land it, you won't fly it, so the whole building thing was a
waste of time and money.

Considering the investment in time and money (and patience and willingness
to learn etc) required to build a plane, you would be nuts to decide on one
design over another based on mine or anyone elses opinion. Go and find one
of each and pay the owner whatever he wants to take you up for a good intro
to type. It will be money well spent.

Another consideration is the the folding wing option on the Mustang II, if
you live in a place with sky high hangar rental.

On the other hand I have never flown in a mustang, but just was offered a
kit for a price I couldn't refuse :)

I personally think the Mustang fuselage is pretty ugly.
</opinion>

Remeber, my opinion worth what you paid for it :)

Mark Wrathall.



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