Doug,
I don't know why anyone would want to "flame" you over your remarks.
It's people like you with your vast experence with these flying machines we
all love that give this KRNet the sterling worth and value it has to people
like me who have very limited experence. I am now 75 and grounded. I
didn't even learn to fly until I became a friend of the late Ken Rand when I
was about 45 and had just retired from the USAF where I was in Aircraft
maintenance for 22 years. It was impossible to be around a guy like Ken
and not develope an interest in flying. So I built both the KR-1 and the
KR-2 from 1971 to 1977. My KR-2 won first prize at the EAA fly-in and air
show, Chino Airport, Chino, California, in 1977. You are right about him
doing everything he could to keep it light. He used to call any airplane he
thought was over built and too heavy a "lead sled"
Bob Stone, Harker Heights, Tx
[email protected]
----- Original Message -----
From: "Doug Rupert" <[email protected]>
To: "'KRnet'" <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, April 25, 2004 8:21 AM
Subject: RE: KR> Bob Hoover (Veeduber)
> Thank you Oscar. When I posted my recent rant, I myself had the two mixed
up
> but both VDubber and Mark straightened me out on that point. Personally
> having met the "Bob" Hoover (of aerobatic variety) though I can tell you
> beyond a shadow of doubt that as dapper as he might dress and appear in
> public, the junkyard dog moniker fits like a glove. When I first saw
> VDubber's replies to some of the more inflammatory postings my first
> impression was that the one I know must be getting senile. Being a former
> test pilot myself I tend to zip my lip and pay attention to those with
> expertise on the subject as it has a habit of leading to longevity of life
> not to mention keeping hard earned money in my wallet to spend on
important
> things like fuel to go play and enjoy our sport. This is not to start a
> flame war (I'm always prepared as I usually were Nomex when reading
replies
> to my posts) but Netters should remember one very important fact.
> The KR as Ken originally designed it was a single seater, stripped
> to the bare bones and did not place undue stresses on the lowly VW engine
> that he used at the time. Many here, myself included have made our own
> changes to the airframe, wings, gear, etc, all of which have increased
both
> the empty weight and gross weight of the design. Each of these have
> introduced increasing demands upon the engine as well as aerodynamic
forces
> that could not have been foreseen by Ken. We are working in uncharted
> territory and must be willing to learn from real life experiences of
others.
> Over the years I have had engineers tell me that everything was hunky dory
> and the aircraft they designed would fly like a baby carriage. Problem
> arises when you take to the air where everything is an unknown and the
rule
> book goes out the window and it is your arse on the line not the designer.
> Theories are great but that does not make them fact. I would ask all
Netters
> to remember the feeling they had the first time they flew an aircraft type
> that was new to them. That gentlemen and lady is known as pucker factor. I
> have flown production aircraft that would kill you in a heartbeat if you
> didn't have 100% concentration at all times. The Cessna light twin (310 or
> 410?) comes immediately to mind. Listen and learn, the life you save may
be
> your own.
> Doug Rupert
>
>
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