The line of 7,620 aircraft flown that is the RV series of Van's Aircraft began with one -- and that one, flown originally by Van's founder Dick VanGrunsven in the mid-1960s, is here at Sun 'n Fun 2012, newly restored and flying. The aircraft had been existing in relative anonymity until nearly five years ago, when it attracted the attention of RV enthusiasts who recognized it as a historic artifact. The aircraft was acquired and a call was sent to the RV community that the restoration of what would come to be known as the "RV-1" would need their help. The community responded, and this year the aircraft flew in to Lakeland, Fla., on its own wings. It's now on tour and headed for one final destination.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://www.avweb.com/air-shows-events/vans-rv-1-the-first-of-the-breed