>From what I understand, Gary has stretched the KR2S some what and modified/improved the design. He has also made many pre-formed parts and had the redesigned aircraft and pre-formed parts approved as a kit in Australia.
This, I feel, is a great step forward in the evolution of our wonderful ++++++++++++++++++ I totally agree - what has he done wrong? There are other people that offer KR bits - landing gears, canopies, wing skins, metal parts etc. He just figured to first improve the design - then make parts, kits etc. There is a greater difference between the Joey and a KR2S built to plan then there was between the first KR and the airplane it was copied from - as we know, the KR series has its roots (very close copy) of one of the original "home built" airplanes - open cockpit, RAF 48 and all. RR added the folding legs. With great respect to the original KR designer(s) - the design was never really a useable two seat airplane of any great note. It worked in the sense that you could cram in two small souls and go fast with a VW for not much money. Most of them are flying well over there design weight and power. Many have been intelligently modified to cope with the new role, many may not have been. The KR was a great lesson in a new building technique using readily available "space age" materials 30 years ago. It was cheap and easy (quick) to build and thus received attention. There are many, many airplanes out there that cashed in on this technique. It is the innovation and skill of the individual builder that evolved the KR to something very special. Have a close look at the RV's, Lancairs, Falco's, GP4's etc. - not much deviation in the basic airplane, they are generally built to plan. I have not seen too many folks make a retract RV or a fixed leg Falco. You have to ask why. Yes - it was inevitable that someone would hang a turbine on an RV (or a KR) - but that aside. Not many KR's are the same - each one has something longer, bigger, wider, taller, stronger etc. You have to ask why. Built and powered to plan, a KR2S (in my opinion) is a nice airplane for those that it suits. Garry Morgan changed all the things that did not suite him and came up with exactly what most KR builders want (and do anyway), but the changes were properly re-engineered to handle the revised requirements (loads/ duty /speeds). He has produced a better mousetrap - and had it approved as such. It is available in a variety of kits /sub kits and he has done the engineering around different engine installations. Not unlike most KR2SX's around - it is a very different airplane to what comes off the plans. I cannot see how anyone can take umbrage to that. Some could even argue that you should really to call it something else if you deviate from the plans to that extent. If one of the radically different KR's (and there are many) crashed and upset the insurance on all the other's - bet you there will be plenty of chirping about NOT calling it a KR. Steve J Africa
