Kitfox identification

[Matthewtanner 44]

i have a kitfox kit, but no idea what model it is. Is there someone who can point me in the right direction?

[Matthewtanner 44]

[1avidflyer 1983]

Kitfox 1 has a 36" wide fuselage at the top back of the seat, 2,3, and 4 are 39 1/2" wide.  Kitfox 1 and 2 have 98" long lift struts center to center of bolt holes on front lift strut.  Kitfox 3 and 4 are 108" if my memory is correct (but way longer then the earlier ones).  Kitfox 1,2,and 3 have undercambered wings, Kitfox 4 is more or less flat.  That should narrow it down fairly easily.   JImChuk

[akflyer 1427]

Looking at the door frame and rudder I am going to guess model 2.  If you have the N number you can look it up and it should tell you what it was registered as.

 

Edited 17 Feb 2019 by akflyer
Edited it to mod 2 after more coffee

[Matthewtanner 44]

Kit never put together

[akflyer 1427]

did you get any paperwork with it or a build manual?

[Matthewtanner 44]

None yet. But here’s the seat back and the wings. Doesn’t look too undercambered

[Matthewtanner 44]

Also it appears there is a 2 stroke engine mount, but does that look like a 912 mount in black?

[Willja67 144]

What's the deal with all the red and white painted parts? It looks like there's an N number on the wheel pants and the cowling looks like the plane was stood on its nose.

[Allen Sutphin 705]

Those rib profiles match the model 4 ribs I have hanging on the wall. Sure doesn't look like a 1, 2 or 3 rib. But you can see the rib tail in the picture like a 1, 2 or 3 rib. So ?  Look at the size of those wheel pants, George Washington could have crossed the Delaware in those.

Edited 17 Feb 2019 by Allen Sutphin

[1avidflyer 1983]

It's not a model 1 cause it's to wide.  To me the wing ribs look like they are undercambered.  Did you measure the liftstrut?  That will tell if it's a 2 or 3 if the wings are undercambered.  If the wings are more or less flat on the bottom, it's a 4.  JImChuk

PS  pictures are of a Kitfox 1 strut.  Kitfox 2 are same length.  3 and 4 are about 10" longer

PS PS at first glance I thought the the black motor mount was a 912 mount.  Should be 4 arms and rubber mounts that come off the four sockets that hold the rubber mounts.  Now that I study it some more, I'm not sure.  Set it off by it'self, and get some more pictues.  

Edited 17 Feb 2019 by 1avidflyer

[Av8r3400 1178]

Those rib profiles match the model 4 ribs I have hanging on the wall. Sure doesn't look like a 1, 2 or 3 rib. But you can see the rib tail in the picture like a 1, 2 or 3 rib. So ?  Look at the size of those wheel pants, George Washington could have crossed the Delaware in those.

Those are definitely undercambered wing ribs. You can see the extended mounts for the flapperons and the undercambered shape clearly.  These are not model IV wings. 

The doors are flat bottomed so it’s not a 1.  

This is is either a 2 or 3 model depending on the lift struts. 

[Av8r3400 1178]

It's not a model 1 cause it's to wide.  To me the wing ribs look like they are undercambered.  Did you measure the liftstrut?  That will tell if it's a 2 or 3 if the wings are undercambered.  If the wings are more or less flat on the bottom, it's a 4.  JImChuk

PS  pictures are of a Kitfox 1 strut.  Kitfox 2 are same length.  3 and 4 are about 10" longer

PS PS at first glance I thought the the black motor mount was a 912 mount.  Should be 4 arms and rubber mounts that come off the four sockets that hold the rubber mounts.  Now that I study it some more, I'm not sure.  Set it off by it'self, and get some more pictues.  

 

 

The black mount still appears to be a bed mount for a 582, only with the side provision to attach the cowl.  

[TJay 1041]

Definitely not a 4 they they have a truss design cut into the wing ribs. So either a 2 or a 3 

Looks like a 3 to me the red wing struts look like they have a 3/8th bolt hole in the bottom.

Edited 17 Feb 2019 by TJay

[1avidflyer 1983]

 

 

 

The black mount still appears to be a bed mount for a 582, only with the side provision to attach the cowl.  

When I first saw the four sockets where the rubber mounts go, I thought of the 912 mount, but looking closer, I see they aren't facing forward, but rather point up. So I went and looked at my Kitfox 1 pictures, and looks like the bed mount there.  Not saying it's a Kitfox 1, I know it's not going by the shape of the door, and the width of the fuselage.  The picture below is of the Kitfox 1 I had.   JImChuk

[akflyer 1427]

Looks like a hodge podge of parts.  The cowling, wheel pants, struts, flaperons and gear legs are off a plane that that has seen some action.  I would guess that it was wrecked and someone found another fuse to use to put the plane back together.  

[Allen Sutphin 705]

 

That would be my guess, also. Why would one paint the struts, wheel pants and cowling before completing the kit. Let alone damaged cowling and other clues. Could be anything.

[Torch 18]

What are your plans?  Build it, flip it or ? Are you in KY?

[Matthewtanner 44]

Yea I keep coming across these planes. I like to tinker. Probably trying to be like Jim Chuck. I’ve got an Avid C getting ready to go out the door once I fly the phase 1 off, 2 mk4’s that need motors and one needs wings covered, and the kitfox that needs to be completely built. I’ll likely tackle the KF last.

[Torch 18]

I'm looking for a project. I'm near Louisville, KY.

[1avidflyer 1983]

Yea I keep coming across these planes. I like to tinker. Probably trying to be like Jim Chuck. 

There are some things you maybe shouldn't wish for...…..  Unowho :-)

[Allen Sutphin 705]

In hindsight I probably should have saved my nickels and moved up to a model 3 or 4 Kitfox. They have more options for engines than a 1 or 2. But they do cost more also. But that ship has already sailed so I'll work with the 2. Hirth has increased their prices quite a bit. Must now be made of gold. Everything covered now and ready for paint, except masking off miles of tubing.

[1avidflyer 1983]

I don't know Allen, not that much difference between the 2 and 3.  100 lb gross weight difference, but you are pretty light so that shouldn't be much of an issue.  Also if you run an aircooled 2 stroke, they are pretty light as well.  I'm guessing that for you, either one would be fine.  JImChuk

[Allen Sutphin 705]

All figures show it will work fine, but then a Kitfox can't read or add. Don't laugh but I am shooting for around 430-450 empty weight. I think it can be done.  But, we'll see!

[Matthewtanner 44]

It can be done Allen. I didn’t try too hard and ended up with 458.