SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, AUGUST 28, 2012 – Bruce’s Custom Covers announced today its support for ‘Friends of the RV-1’ community with the donation of a custom-fitted, and remotely designed, covering system for the namesake aircraft. The cover serves to protect this historic aircraft at its new home in EAA AirVenture Museum’s flying collection. Bruce’s Custom Covers is the recognized innovation and quality leader in protective covers for airplanes, jets, helicopters, gliders, off-link jet engines and more.
Friends of the RV-1 is a public charity organized and dedicated to the restoration of the VanGrunsven RV-1, an experimental aircraft designed and built in 1965. The group is comprised of individuals and technical counselors who assist builders with aircraft projects. The goal for the RV-1 project was to maintain its 1970’s look while restoring the aircraft to flying condition. Now a museum piece, the restoration team is grateful to EAA for promising to keep the RV-1 in flying condition.
A one-of-a-kind aircraft, the RV-1 is a modified Stits Playboy, circa 1952. The RV-1 was developed around this original platform by renowned designer and founder of Van’s Aircraft, Richard VanGrunsven. Plans for the design were offered by VanGrunsven. When the RV-1 was discovered in storage, east of Houston, Texas, it had been damaged and was suffering from neglect. The group realized its demise would be a great loss to aviation historians and the Van’s community. The RV-1 was a precursor to all subsequent Van’s Aircraft designs. Today these aircraft number more than 7,500 built and flying.
Louise Hose, founding member of Friends of the RV-1, commented, “My husband and I operate three aircraft, all of which have Bruce’s covers. Our current project is building an RV-3 for which we were ordering yet another cover. We knew we would need a cover for the RV-1 tour following its restoration, so we asked Bruce’s if they might donate one for this aircraft. To our delight they agreed.” She continued, “The RV-1 cover was put to great use. At times the aircraft was parked outside. The cover protected the Plexiglas canopy and kept the aircraft sealed tight. Even when aircraft are stored in a hangar, a cover serves as a dust cover and provides protection from incidental hangar rash.”
The custom fitted cover for the RV-1 was designed remotely by Bruce’s Custom Covers using 3D CAD software to ensure a proper fit. Bruce’s maintains patterns for all Vans aircraft models and can customized its products to builder’s variations such as antenna placements and fairings. Custom colors, materials and imprints can be incorporated into the cover manufacture.
Bruce’s Custom Covers is the industry leader in protective covering systems for aircraft of all types. Bruce’s uses state-of-the-art materials and methodologies to ensure durability, quality and finish. Bruce’s is committed to advancing the science and art of cover design in service to the demands and expectations of its customers worldwide.
For further information on Friends of the RV-1, please visit www.rv-1.org.
For information on custom aircraft covers, contact: Bruce’s Custom Covers at 989 East California Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94085, call 408-738-3959 or toll-free 1-800-777-6405 (in U.S. and Canada), [email protected], or visit www.aircraftcovers.com.
