Looking for an Evans VP1 or VP2
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Looking for an Evans VP1 or VP2
Afternoon chaps,
I'm looking to buy either a VP1 or VP2 for hours building and then general recreational flying. Does anyone know where I can find one!?
I'm looking to buy either a VP1 or VP2 for hours building and then general recreational flying. Does anyone know where I can find one!?
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There's a VP2 based here at Sheepwash in Devon. It seems in quite reasonable nick. I think there's a chance the owner may be willing to sell, but I don't know.
From what I hear, though, the VP2 is no delight in terms of handling and has very marginal power. It looks as ugly as sin too.
It's G-BXOC and the owner's details are on G-INFO.
From what I hear, though, the VP2 is no delight in terms of handling and has very marginal power. It looks as ugly as sin too.
It's G-BXOC and the owner's details are on G-INFO.
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Evans VP1 - Recreational?
BTW How much do you weigh?
Don't forget it was designed by a committee!
And yes, I don't like 'em.
If you want cheap fun flying there's always a few Taylor Monos to be bought if you know where to look and I've seen some pretty cheap prices recently.
Sir George Cayley
BTW How much do you weigh?
Don't forget it was designed by a committee!
And yes, I don't like 'em.
If you want cheap fun flying there's always a few Taylor Monos to be bought if you know where to look and I've seen some pretty cheap prices recently. Sir George Cayley
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Thanks chaps. Any thoughts on a self build VP1? I'm tempted. I need an aircraft that I can fly next summer really.
Also, would I be right in thinking that I should be looking to pay around the £3k mark for a completed aircraft?
I'm only a small bloke Sir George Cayley so weight isn't an issue!
Also, would I be right in thinking that I should be looking to pay around the £3k mark for a completed aircraft?
I'm only a small bloke Sir George Cayley so weight isn't an issue!
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Now now STIK, you flew it ok.
I used to have a VP2 and still have a half built one. They are marginal with a VW, but I reckon if you stuck a Hirth or other modern lightweight engine in one it wouldn't be too bad at all. They don't have the nicest handleing but are good fun even if others like to scoff! I operated mine out of a 250 yard strip, but that was very tight and not to be recommended
They are very cheap but cost almost as much to build as any other much better similar sized homebuilt. If building from scratch, you'll never see a return on your investment ... but part built might be ok. A similar sized a/c like a Luton Minor, Taylor mono even a FRED might just about cover the cost of materials, but I doubt a VP would. They are however, much easier to build.
If you approach their operation with the right attitude you'll be hard pressed to find a cheaper way to fly. But as others have alluded ... approach with caution.
SS
I used to have a VP2 and still have a half built one. They are marginal with a VW, but I reckon if you stuck a Hirth or other modern lightweight engine in one it wouldn't be too bad at all. They don't have the nicest handleing but are good fun even if others like to scoff! I operated mine out of a 250 yard strip, but that was very tight and not to be recommended
They are very cheap but cost almost as much to build as any other much better similar sized homebuilt. If building from scratch, you'll never see a return on your investment ... but part built might be ok. A similar sized a/c like a Luton Minor, Taylor mono even a FRED might just about cover the cost of materials, but I doubt a VP would. They are however, much easier to build.If you approach their operation with the right attitude you'll be hard pressed to find a cheaper way to fly. But as others have alluded ... approach with caution.
SS
If you really must get a VEEP, then there is a good one one gathering dust at White Waltham (01628 823272) and I'm sure they would love to sell it to you without asking for too much.
However,
There are much nicer mounts about. There are (some) cheeper aircraft to buy and to fly (VP probably burns 50% more fuel than Turb or Bebe) and the only thing I can think of in the VPs favour is the pose(?) of being able to get off your plank in some field and say that you actually flew that in - just to see the look of disbelief on their faces
It is also unlikely that you will be able to fly sufficient hours to justify outright ownership, and most shared ownership is as good as, but much cheeper than owning outright. If there is not an available share in your area you should consider buying something worthwhile and sindicating it. If there is a suitable steed in your area, then I'm sure noone would mind you approaching them to ask if a share is available...
However,
There are much nicer mounts about. There are (some) cheeper aircraft to buy and to fly (VP probably burns 50% more fuel than Turb or Bebe) and the only thing I can think of in the VPs favour is the pose(?) of being able to get off your plank in some field and say that you actually flew that in - just to see the look of disbelief on their faces
It is also unlikely that you will be able to fly sufficient hours to justify outright ownership, and most shared ownership is as good as, but much cheeper than owning outright. If there is not an available share in your area you should consider buying something worthwhile and sindicating it. If there is a suitable steed in your area, then I'm sure noone would mind you approaching them to ask if a share is available...
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.....And if you're looking in the hangar at White Waltham, there's also a potentially nice Gardan Minicab sitting awaiting some TLC. I don't think it would cost much more (if at all) than the Veep to get flying and it would be a much nicer and ultimately more saleable aeroplane in the future.
I haven't ever flown a VP, but I spent over 100hours over the past couple of years in a Luton Minor. If you're under 10 stone they are a fun and affordable way to go flying. Check out www.lutonminor.com
The only thing though is. Its much more sociable flying with a second seat and you then tend to use the aeroplane more too. That's the only thing that prompted the sale of my Luton, was the urge to acquire a two-seater.
I haven't ever flown a VP, but I spent over 100hours over the past couple of years in a Luton Minor. If you're under 10 stone they are a fun and affordable way to go flying. Check out www.lutonminor.com
The only thing though is. Its much more sociable flying with a second seat and you then tend to use the aeroplane more too. That's the only thing that prompted the sale of my Luton, was the urge to acquire a two-seater.
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The only thing though is. Its much more sociable flying with a second seat and you then tend to use the aeroplane more too. That's the only thing that prompted the sale of my Luton, was the urge to acquire a two-seater.
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It's odd I know, but I really have my heart set on the VP1. I'm not really bothered about resale value, it's only a small investment anyway and it's a very cheap way to get flying on a regular basis. Anything else under the £4k mark might just float my boat!!
No need for a two seater, my girlfriend is now my ex girlfriend and I intend on making the aircraft my next mistress!
I'm attracted to the pure simplicity of the VP1.
No need for a two seater, my girlfriend is now my ex girlfriend and I intend on making the aircraft my next mistress!
I'm attracted to the pure simplicity of the VP1.
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I now fly a Slingsby T31m. It's far nicer to fly than the Veep and even cheaper! I know of one for sale if you are interested. Here's a picture of mine so you can see what it is. Basically a Luton Minor witha bigger wing and better performance ... just 
SS
SS
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The PFA North West strut has a VP2 for sale. Cheap!
check under For Sale and Wanted where you will find details.
When last seen it was hiding in a hangar at Barton.
http://www.pfanwstrut.flyer.co.uk/
check under For Sale and Wanted where you will find details.
When last seen it was hiding in a hangar at Barton.
http://www.pfanwstrut.flyer.co.uk/
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Not sure of the price but I can find out if seriously interested. I wouldn't expect to pay much more than £3-4K for a T31m usually nearer £3k than £4k, unless it's as good and new like mine 
Running costs are as cheap as you want to make them. The T31m derigs (although you wouldn't want to have to do it each time you fly) so you could store it through the winter to save hangarage. If desperate you could store it in a trailer and rig and tie down for long spells of decent weather all year. Mine burns around 2.5-3 gallons of mogas per hour and I do maint on a "as needed" basis rather than budgeting it in per hour. However, I built it and do the maintanence myself, if you can't/won't, then budget for arount £3-500 per year inc permit. Insurance was around £500 third party this year.
Performance
TO - 50' in around 200yards
Landing over a 30' hedge to standstill = around 150 yards
Climb (1834 VW) = 500'/min +
Cruise = economy 50 knots, max 65 knots
VNE 78 knots
Stall around 28 knots
interestingly the same VW engine was in my VP2 and gave around 200'/min climb and started to run out of puff at about 3000'. The CHT would rise at high revs so you'd have to throttle back. On a hot summer's day, even 1500' could be a struggle
The TO performance was always ok though once you learned the correct technique.
SS
Running costs are as cheap as you want to make them. The T31m derigs (although you wouldn't want to have to do it each time you fly) so you could store it through the winter to save hangarage. If desperate you could store it in a trailer and rig and tie down for long spells of decent weather all year. Mine burns around 2.5-3 gallons of mogas per hour and I do maint on a "as needed" basis rather than budgeting it in per hour. However, I built it and do the maintanence myself, if you can't/won't, then budget for arount £3-500 per year inc permit. Insurance was around £500 third party this year.
Performance
TO - 50' in around 200yards
Landing over a 30' hedge to standstill = around 150 yards
Climb (1834 VW) = 500'/min +
Cruise = economy 50 knots, max 65 knots
VNE 78 knots
Stall around 28 knots
interestingly the same VW engine was in my VP2 and gave around 200'/min climb and started to run out of puff at about 3000'. The CHT would rise at high revs so you'd have to throttle back. On a hot summer's day, even 1500' could be a struggle
The TO performance was always ok though once you learned the correct technique.SS
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Excellent. Thanks for all the feedback chaps. I'm definitely going to take a closer look at T31m thanks SS. Sounds like a good little aircraft.
I've sent off an offer for the VP2 at Barton, but have mentioned I might require some assistance completing the build. I'm hoping to fit a Dynon Avionics EFIS system into it. They can be had quite cheaply now (about £1,800 for a full suite including engine monitoring).
We'll see what comes of it.
I've sent off an offer for the VP2 at Barton, but have mentioned I might require some assistance completing the build. I'm hoping to fit a Dynon Avionics EFIS system into it. They can be had quite cheaply now (about £1,800 for a full suite including engine monitoring).
We'll see what comes of it.