Reaction 54 Jet Kit
03-23-2007, 09:30 AM
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
ORIGINAL: ww2birds
Is it just me, or does that turninator look a LOT like an R54 with a canopy and some intakes cobbed on??? Actually, looks quite cool .. a bit Panther-like as someone said on the other thread.
Dave
Is it just me, or does that turninator look a LOT like an R54 with a canopy and some intakes cobbed on??? Actually, looks quite cool .. a bit Panther-like as someone said on the other thread.
Dave
03-23-2007, 11:20 AM
#1507
RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
The resemblance is definitely there 
The turbinator has a shorter wing and about 400 less square inches of wing and it's slightly heavier (depending on the build I'm sure).
So far, I've taken an equal amount of lead out of the nose as I've added in balsa to the front of the airplane. The material added behind the CG is very, very modest - a couple ounces max. Light weight glassing techniques add only about 10 precent more weight than film covering, since I'll be glassing the fuse only I don't expect to pick up much more weight than necessary for the strength and hangar rash durability of the glass. I'll probably have to put back in a couple ounces of lead back to the very tip of the nose when it's all said and done, but at this point I am thinking the entire mod will only add about 8 ounces of total weight compared to what I started with becasue of the lead to balsa swap I've been able to do so far.
The turbinator has a shorter wing and about 400 less square inches of wing and it's slightly heavier (depending on the build I'm sure).
So far, I've taken an equal amount of lead out of the nose as I've added in balsa to the front of the airplane. The material added behind the CG is very, very modest - a couple ounces max. Light weight glassing techniques add only about 10 precent more weight than film covering, since I'll be glassing the fuse only I don't expect to pick up much more weight than necessary for the strength and hangar rash durability of the glass. I'll probably have to put back in a couple ounces of lead back to the very tip of the nose when it's all said and done, but at this point I am thinking the entire mod will only add about 8 ounces of total weight compared to what I started with becasue of the lead to balsa swap I've been able to do so far.
03-23-2007, 01:55 PM
#1510
RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
Yep .. nice selection of pics. In addition to the intakes, which really dress up the R54's, I see that Nick has also added sheeting to blend the vertical fin from the fuse on the Turbinator .. have not seen that done on an R54 yet .. would add some tail weight of course, but would probably look really nice...
Great to see classically constructed "real modeler" planes taking hold in the jet community. I have not seen so much balsa dust in my shop for a while, especially when sanding the Reaction fuse! I've been doing mostly composite warbirds, the occasional wood/fabric control surfaces, and occasional balsa for small electrics. Forgot how much I've missed the woodwork.
Dave
Great to see classically constructed "real modeler" planes taking hold in the jet community. I have not seen so much balsa dust in my shop for a while, especially when sanding the Reaction fuse! I've been doing mostly composite warbirds, the occasional wood/fabric control surfaces, and occasional balsa for small electrics. Forgot how much I've missed the woodwork.
Dave
03-23-2007, 02:13 PM
#1511
RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
When I built mine I thought about a canopy and full cockpit and made some drawings. I decided a turtle deck would blend it all in. But because I'm a sloooww builder, I said the heck with it, it's time to fly
03-23-2007, 07:59 PM
#1512
RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
Haha .. I'm with you! Looking to "get er done and fly" .. already shopping for the scale jet (a warbird, of course!) that comes next. the idea of a BVM-ized Panther is at the top of my list .. hoping to see something on his site soon...
Dave
Dave
03-23-2007, 09:13 PM
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
Just opened my kit and I am impressed with the contents. Retracts look awesome as well. Well back to reading and thanks Bruce I am going to enjoy this aircraft.
Allan
Allan
03-24-2007, 12:46 AM
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
Things are getting close here too! Can't wait for this to be done so I can go fly!
Getting just far enough along as to not be ashamed of posting a picture or two. I relocated my elevator and rudder servo to under the hatch above the boat tail, so the propane and Jet A electronic valves will sit on a plate that's on the servo tray. Have the Kevlar fuel cell, and put the UAT in the area of the ECU shelf, the ECU lives in the Boat-tail. Propane to the left, and the blank area to the right of the UAT is where the fuel pump lives, underneath and out of sight. There is also a screw on hatch on the bottom to give access in case of leaks or fuel pump change. The UAT has a rail rack made up so it slides in and won't move around once tied down. The same for the propane tank, and fuel pump. Twin 3800 NiMh up front along with the JetCat ECU Battery so not sure yet how much nose weight will get added. So far, all systems are in their own separate areas, fuel systems in one, air systems in another and the same for electronics in the nose. Used Robart retracts with robo struts, trim wheels and brakes. Yes, had to try the winglet idea!
Getting just far enough along as to not be ashamed of posting a picture or two. I relocated my elevator and rudder servo to under the hatch above the boat tail, so the propane and Jet A electronic valves will sit on a plate that's on the servo tray. Have the Kevlar fuel cell, and put the UAT in the area of the ECU shelf, the ECU lives in the Boat-tail. Propane to the left, and the blank area to the right of the UAT is where the fuel pump lives, underneath and out of sight. There is also a screw on hatch on the bottom to give access in case of leaks or fuel pump change. The UAT has a rail rack made up so it slides in and won't move around once tied down. The same for the propane tank, and fuel pump. Twin 3800 NiMh up front along with the JetCat ECU Battery so not sure yet how much nose weight will get added. So far, all systems are in their own separate areas, fuel systems in one, air systems in another and the same for electronics in the nose. Used Robart retracts with robo struts, trim wheels and brakes. Yes, had to try the winglet idea!
03-24-2007, 01:31 AM
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
I have just installed a Weatronic RX in my Wren supersport powered Reaction. Now I will see how fast it really goes!!!!!!. I am taking it out to the field tomorrow weather permitting. I will post the results.
Regards
Regards
03-24-2007, 02:12 AM
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
Hey Ramkin, you gonna invite me up for the maiden? Its already gettin hot down here in Phoenix.
In all seriousness, for everyone that might not exactly know what the previous statement is all about, Maxvertical is one of the very finest aviators i've had the honor of sharing a cockpit with.
It looks like you fellas all picked a nice airplane, I wish I were more up to speed so I could partake in your fun, but I'm not there just yet. Anyway, its fun lookin in on you guys havin fun.
In all seriousness, for everyone that might not exactly know what the previous statement is all about, Maxvertical is one of the very finest aviators i've had the honor of sharing a cockpit with.
It looks like you fellas all picked a nice airplane, I wish I were more up to speed so I could partake in your fun, but I'm not there just yet. Anyway, its fun lookin in on you guys havin fun.
03-24-2007, 06:17 AM
#1519
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
I have a Reaction flying and both planes plans (Reaction / Turbinator)in the work shop I'll compare them and inform of the differance. Just remeber that the original Reaction does not thave the inlets or canopy that some builders have added. I like both planes and plan to build the turbinator ASAP and then I can give a back to back accounting of which I like better and why.
03-24-2007, 07:42 AM
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
Ok just came up from the shop and here is what I measured rounded off to the closest 1/2 "as differances between the two designs :
Reaction fuse at its widest and tallest cross section 5.5" X 8.5" this is at the wing LE , nose infront of the wing 30" ,tail between the wing and stab le 16",wing root cord 24" wing tip cord 15" span 80", stab root 15" stab tip 9" stab span 31"
Turbinator fuse section at widest and tallest cross section also at wing LE 7"w x 9" h , nose ahead of wing 28" tail between wing and stab 18" wing root 20" std wing tip cord 10" extended section 9" std span 72" extended span 80" stab root 11" stab tip 6.5 "
I did not measure the fin and rudders but just as a rough guess the turbinator is larger by a small amount. I think I can get more fuel intot eh turbinator and wil be able to tell today as I am going to our LHS to get supplies to start the build.
Reaction fuse at its widest and tallest cross section 5.5" X 8.5" this is at the wing LE , nose infront of the wing 30" ,tail between the wing and stab le 16",wing root cord 24" wing tip cord 15" span 80", stab root 15" stab tip 9" stab span 31"
Turbinator fuse section at widest and tallest cross section also at wing LE 7"w x 9" h , nose ahead of wing 28" tail between wing and stab 18" wing root 20" std wing tip cord 10" extended section 9" std span 72" extended span 80" stab root 11" stab tip 6.5 "
I did not measure the fin and rudders but just as a rough guess the turbinator is larger by a small amount. I think I can get more fuel intot eh turbinator and wil be able to tell today as I am going to our LHS to get supplies to start the build.
03-24-2007, 02:29 PM
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
Thank's my old buddy Larr. Ditto's on the cockpit thing, you're one of the finest too. Now if we can get you to spring for an R54!
Hey Tommy, sorry to do this too you, but I have to run off on a trip, so will post those for you just as soon as I get back to the house! They are done in foam, then will be glassed over with the thicker E-glass. Should prevent them from getting knocked off. Way to go on the Weaver! Now we'll know for sure!
MaxV
Hey Tommy, sorry to do this too you, but I have to run off on a trip, so will post those for you just as soon as I get back to the house! They are done in foam, then will be glassed over with the thicker E-glass. Should prevent them from getting knocked off. Way to go on the Weaver! Now we'll know for sure!
MaxV
03-31-2007, 03:20 AM
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
Sorry that took so long Tommy, here ya go on those picts. They aren't the greatest, so I can re-shoot if you need more or other detail. The hardest part is getting them the same shape as one another, guess the secret is just to go slow. I tried three other versions but this is the one I settled with. I've done tips on other airplanes and most of the time, had a good improvement in the way the airplane handled. These tips are a bit smaller than others I've done, but the bird is allot faster than anything I've been fooling with too. I really like the idea of winglet's, or tip sails, but on this project the idea was to be more of a sleek look rather than increasing the aspect ratio of the wing.
The foam used is a 2" Owens Corning extruded polystyrene insulation found at the local hardware store. I use this stuff for mods since it can be shaped easily and doesn't flake or come apart like some other types of foam. It's also very strong, and fairly dense but very light. We've built foamie combat planes from the stuff and put .25's on them and they hold up really well. Anyway, the mod still has to be glassed with several layers of a substantial structural type glass cloth. I'm using two or three layers of glass cloth that is used in full scale experimental aircraft for the "beef" part of the equation.
Chris
The foam used is a 2" Owens Corning extruded polystyrene insulation found at the local hardware store. I use this stuff for mods since it can be shaped easily and doesn't flake or come apart like some other types of foam. It's also very strong, and fairly dense but very light. We've built foamie combat planes from the stuff and put .25's on them and they hold up really well. Anyway, the mod still has to be glassed with several layers of a substantial structural type glass cloth. I'm using two or three layers of glass cloth that is used in full scale experimental aircraft for the "beef" part of the equation.
Chris
03-31-2007, 03:39 AM
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
Tommy, how do you have your antenna routed? With the Weaver in there, almost looks like you had two antenna's in that picture you posted, a whip and a standard wire. I have the Revolution whip that I plan to use on mine but placement is getting to be a bit tough. I see several guys putting the antenna through the forward hatch/canopy, so my guess is that's what I'll end up doing. Any idea's on that? I noticed it looked like you have yours running through a short section of fuel tubing, maybe for a little extra protection?
Chris
Chris
