Hello Derek As to the first part about the plans, I can't answer. In days gone by, the Flap plans were sold by RR because they were added later. Perhaps someone with new plans can update that info. As for the part about the value of flaps, there has been an ongoing debate within the group as to which is better between flaps and belly boards. Mark Langford once said, perhaps a good choice is a split flap. I don't know if anyone has installed both, so as to make a real comparison on the same plane. Perhaps some of our members have flown enough KR's that he could give you an experienced answer. As for my experience, I flew my KR without flaps and installed them later. The value of flaps and the belly board from all reports is in its ability to slow the aircraft and rotate the nose down. Without flaps my original KR-2 had a landing attitude with the nose so high that the cowl blocked the forward visibility. On wide runways that was not a problem. But, on narrow runways, say 25 ft., is was difficult to maintain alignment. Without much drag, the KR would always speed up when you pointed the nose down to see. Some would say that there are tricks to landing, such as slipping . I wanted the ability to see over the nose. The standard RR retro fit flaps gave me that. In a picture perfect sort of way I enjoy watching the shadow of my KR, formed by the sun at by back, touch down on the on the runway just ahead of me.
Orma Southfield, MI N110LR celebrating 20 years Flying, flying and more flying http://www.kr-2.aviation-mechanics.com/
