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I spent five years of my life pounding rivets. The result is I, with the helps of several friends, built a
wonderful aircraft. It is called a Harmon Rocket II as it is the second version of a Rocket designed by John Harmon.
It is based on a RV-4 but uses a bigger engine and has a roomier cockpit.
This is a picture of an RV-4.
It is a homebuilt aircraft based on a kit from Van's Aircraft. It is a metal, tandem seating, single engine, acrobatic
aircraft. It cruises in the 180 MPH range and is a great flying plane. It's only problem is than the cockpit was
designed for a much small person than I am.
This is the Harmon Rocket I built. It's FAA "N number" is N561FS.
It is based on the 561st Tactical Fighter Squadron. It was the squadron I went to war with and retired from. As
the Air Force has dropped Tactical from squadron names, the two letter limit fits with the current designation of 561st
Fighter Squadron.
The Rocket is also a metal, tandem seating, single engine, acrobatic
aircraft but it uses a six cylinder 250 HP engine. The RV series use the 150-200 HP four cylinder engines. The
RV-4 kit is modified to take the bigger engine, which makes the cockpit larger and much more comfortable.
Here is the Rocket flying. The picture was taken from an
AT-6, a World War II Trainer. The Rocket cruises at 210 MPH and
is it is a real joy to fly. It is truely a "Baby Fighter." On takeoff, it will rotate to about thirty degrees
and climb away.
It allows me to feel like I am still a fighter pilot. It can do
4 G turns all day (Who needs more than that once you are over fifty). I do have to be careful as it likes to take
me out into the desert and fly fast and low.
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