Kitfox of the Month March 2012 Vincent Ruchet

A mail from Switzerland, then sorry for my basic English.
I already finish my Kitfox 4 since few month then I would like to share my project for your KOTM...

My name is: Vincent Ruchet, my "TeamKitfox" login is: vruchet My city is: Villy sous Ollon / Switzerland My Kitfox is: Model 4, 1050 Speedster n°1587 My engine and propeller is: Rotax 912 UL with Arplast 175 DWAP 62/3 Project started in 2002 until juillet 2011
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It was a long and not really easy project, first because I bought my kit of second hand and incomplete, second because all its always complicated in Swiss, third i was alone in the project...

I made a small website : www.HBYLN.com to share my construction, but it still in French at this time im sorry... I will translate soon...
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Today I flew only 35hours. And she (it) still in "testing program". But its always an incredible moment when I fly with... The flight characteristics are very good: 90Kts with 5200Rpm ... Like you know, usually the Kitfox4 is really differing, but during the construction I decide to upgrade it to Speedster modele... Same for the cockpit, I took as a starting point the model 5 and i used carbon fibre for central console etc...
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For the engine, i installed water and oil thermostat. And inside the cockpit I put a big radiator heater (great for winter in Swiss). My wife made for me a new seat, the original was not comfortable (I am tall :))... And finally to won
4 Kilograms, I replaced the original battery with Lithium Polymer Fe accumulator and its really nice to start during winter!
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OK I hope you will receive all my pics, and again thanks for your website !!!
Its very interesting to know the Kitfox community.......

My best regards from Switzerland.. Vincent
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Well folks, it's been quite a while since I've received a KOTM submission. If patience has it's rewards then we've been well rewarded with Vincent's model 4 for March 2012.

Congratulations Vincent on a fantastic Kitfox build. The workmanship is exquisite throughout.

Nice, very nice! Your aircraft looks great. Enjoy your flying.

Dick B

Vincent, very nice work . A 1050 speedster, interesting . I am wondering about the speedster tail , did your airframe come with the large tail? I have sn 1563 and it's a 1050 with the small tail
Looks like fun flying where you are .

Vincent,
I had to come back and view your photographs a second time, they're so nice. You have paid beautiful attention to detail everywhere on the ship. You must be very proud of your workmanship.

I only hope that my next project comes close the the kind of work you've done.

-- Paul S

hello Paul... Thanks for your nice words :o
My Kitfox its a bit my love story... But my wife must not know that
And im sure your plane will be beautiful....

Thanks again,Vincent

Hello Chuck.
My Kitfox 1587 come with the small tail. I modify to have a serie 5 look... but it was a bit looooong work. For me its easy, bcos a good friend have a serie 5, then i spy and made :p... Regards from Switzerland Vincent

Vincent,
Thank you for sharing your beautiful airplane with us. I begin building my SS7 next month and have printed a picture of your airplane to hang in my shop so that I will never become satisfied with good enough. Your workmanship is the best!

I have to ask, why are the cowl bumps cut and opened up? I've never seen this done on a Kitfox before.

-- Paul S

vincent in switzerland , even being a lot of work , it should be worth it to you . when i acquired my kit the fabric was already installed and painted . i regret not making the time then to modify the tail to the speedster size . now im flying i dont want to take her out of service for that long to change it now . during the winter months last year and the year before i did take her out of service to replace the gas tanks , maybe next winter for the tail .
your attention to detail is to be admired .
regards from the pacific northwest , we do have mountains here also but nothing like yours