> how about we go down memory lane a bit and get the guys to dig out some pics of the KR pioneers in the seventies and early eighties.
Dean . . . I've been surprised to learn that some homebuilders thinking of what plane to build are getting the idea from others (non-KR owners to be sure) that the KR is a "dated" design. Ken Rand came before Rutan and before Neibauer so the KR truly is dated in that sense, and some of the early ones do look pretty pedestrian. I wish I had a picture of my first KR in flight, but I don't. With the gear retracted and a sleek canopy (instead of that bubble look that many early ones had) and a tasteful paint job (not like Langford's :-), an early model would be be a nice representative to greet the website visitor. Sparky had a very sleek-looking one too. People are still building Pietenpols, so being dated isn't a bad thing in any case. In the case of the KR they are probably thinking it's dated since it doesn't come in kit form. Anyone going to KRNET should soon see that the KR can be shaped into whatever one wants. That fellow down there in RSA who had the one with tip tanks looked quite sleek . . . can't remember his name just now . . . the one who died in the flat spin. In any case, the replacement for Joe's KR ought to look at least as sleek . . . a taildragger this time would be nice. Here's some old KR material for anyone interested. My first KR was the purple-trimmed one with the Maloof prop. The opera windows on some of the early ones were useful and added style. http://s1100.photobucket.com/albums/g415/Matsapha1/Early%20KR%20pictures/ My email program usually breaks links so you may need to fix it. Mike KSEE ____________________________________________________________ 57 Year Old Looks 27 Local Woman Reveals Wrinkle Secret That Has Doctors Angry. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4f2742b5dcbe5987a0st06vuc
