GeeRam,
Originally Posted by LOMCEVAK
The airframe was rebuilt to an airworthy standard but the engine was never stripped and overhauled. The original propellor, which had been damaged but was flown on a concession for a couple of years, was refitted and the original fuel tank, which had developed a leak, was also refitted.
It may have been the way in which I worded this but the comments above relate to after the accident, not before first flight. The original propeller was slightly damaged on the first flight when it struck the ground during take-off due to an incorrectly filled trench that had been dug across the strip an Benson. The prop was blended and it was used for the 1991 season and possibly 1992 also. Hoffman then made a composite propeller that was aerodynamically the same but each blade was about 50 lbs lighter which helped because with the metal prop it was being flown at the forward c.g. limit. The original fuel tank started to leak and was replaced after a few seasons flying, not before first flight.
Please note that all of this is from memory and, for all of us, it was a long time ago!