Van’s Aircraft will stop taking orders for three of its earliest designs on Sept. 30. The company announced earlier this week it is “retiring” production of the RV-3, RV-4 and RV-6 kits but it will continue to support the fleet with parts and technical help. “As kit orders for these models have declined, and as we focus on streamlining operations and bringing new designs into production, we’ve decided to end active kit production for these RV models,” Van’s said in a news release.
The historic significance of the three designs, particularly the side-by-side RV-6, is not lost on the company. “While this chapter is closing, the RV-3, RV-4, and RV-6 remain a lasting part of the Van’s story and a testament to the joy of building and flying an RV,” the company said. The company filed for bankruptcy in December of 2023 and emerged from Chapter 11 protection five months later. Its latest model, the high-wing RV-15, is nearing the end of development and preparations for kit sales are underway.
I assume Van’s will refer anyone want an RV3; 4; or 6 to the RV-15? Did you ask?
I’d expect that anyone interested in a -3 or -4 would be pointed at an -8, which is the closest thing in the current lineup. As far as the -6 goes, the RV-7 is extremely similar and the clear alternative. The -15 isn’t anything like any of the retired models.
I was lucky enough to fly the first RV4 completed in Idaho by my friend Harold. That was in 1985 and I was bitten by the bug. In 1986 I ordered the tail kit and by the summer of 1989 I completed and test flew my miniature Spitfire. At least that’s what the performance of the RV4 felt like to me. My sleek Spitfire RV4 still provides the same thrill as the first flight in Harold’s RV back in 1985 and I plan on flying it till I can’t crawl into that svelte fighter. I’m 78 years young now and can’t visualize the day I’ll not be able to lower and extract myself from Miss Fusion.