STATUS OF THE RV3 RESTORATION PROJECT FOR THE OAHS

I just received a response to the letter I sent to Van’s Aircraft last week. It looks like the project is a GO! Below is a copy of the letter I sent and Van’s email response. I’d like to jump into this quickly to build momentum and enthusiasm for the project. I think the first order of business will be to get rid of, or temporarily relocate, the bigger items in the clubhouse (mainly the simulator, grills and couches) so we can bring in at least some of aircraft parts to begin work.) For those who will be at Saturday’s breakfast, we can discuss the specifics of how best to proceed on this. I hope that all of you who are interested in this project can make it to the breakfast. . . . . . . President Gary

March 12, 2015

 

Van’s Aircraft

14401 Keil Road NE

Aurora, Oregon 97002

 

The Creswell, Oregon Chapter (Chapter 31) of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) has been approached by the Oregon Aviation Historical Society (OAHS) to restore, to display quality only, an RV3 that was donated to the OAHS back in the late 1980’s. The OAHS would like to create a display honoring Richard VanGrunsven and Van’s Aircraft. The RV3 airplane to be restored would become the centerpiece of this display. As you know, Mr. VanGrunsven was inducted into the Oregon Aviation Hall of Fame in 2006. He also was a founding member of EAA Chapter 31 in 1957.

The aircraft that is to be restored was built by an Oregon resident by the name of Henkes (first name unknown at this point) and first flew in 1976. In 1980 the aircraft experienced an engine out accident after takeoff from Canby, Oregon and was never repaired. The OAHS has the gutted fuselage with some damage to the tail cone. They also have the original wings with flaps and ailerons, and a vertical stabilizer and rudder that appear to not be from the original airplane.

In order to perform the restoration, our chapter is going to have to acquire and/or construct the following:

  • Either an engine mount, or a welded frame that will allow the main landing gear to be attached to the airframe. We don’t intend to install an engine since this will be for static display only, but we’ll have to fabricate something to hold a propeller on the aircraft.
  • Engine cowling
  • Main and tail wheel gear assemblies. Brakes won’t be necessary for a static display.
  • Since the interior of the aircraft is totally gutted, we probably would not attempt to install and interior and, therefore, we would “frost” the canopy glass unless the aircraft is hung from the ceiling and the interior is not viewable by the visiting public.
  • Horizontal stabilizer and elevators.
  • Primer and paint

Since the aircraft is to be a tribute to Mr. VanGrunsven and Van’s Aircraft our intent would be to paint the aircraft to look like the RV3 that appeared at the 1973 EAA Convention and won the award for Best New Design.

We are very much interested in whether or not Van’s Aircraft is interested and willing to help us either financially and/or through the donation of materials necessary to complete the restoration. We are planning to perform the restoration work primarily in the Chapter 31 clubhouse located on the Creswell Airport (Hobby Field). We have a number of members who have stepped forward to volunteer their time and tools to perform this work. Depending upon how quickly we can obtain the necessary materials to do the work, we anticipate having the aircraft ready for the museum by September or October of this year. The OAHS envisions a public event at the OAHS Museum located at the Cottage Grove Airport to introduce the exhibit. This event would include an RV fly-in at the Cottage Grove Airport. We would plan a date when Mr. VanGrunsven would be able to attend, hopefully with other past and present employees of Van’s Aircraft.

You may respond to me either by telephone at 541-914-8605 or email at rv6an200gl@charter.net.

Sincerely,

Gary Ludeke, President

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Gary, Van’s would be happy to help out with components for the restoration
of the RV-3. As we’re always working under a budget, we would appreciate
a reasonably accurate list of the parts you think you’ll need to make it
happen and estimated cost of the items that you feel will need to be sourced
outside of Van’s. We may be able to help out with those items also but for
now, can commit to at least the Van’s supplied components that you
mentioned in your letter. We’d like to have a decent idea of the overall cost
to Van’s before we commit any farther than that.

We appreciate your support and recognition of Richard and Van’s Aircraft!

Best, Scott Risan
President
Van’s Aircraft, Inc.

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