Reaction 54 Jet Kit
04-05-2012, 09:21 AM
#2876
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
ORIGINAL: KC36330
it does have some shift but it's not anything drastic and well worth the extra flight time.
FYI it's simulated carbon
it's been taken to over 3000' AGL, never lost a single frame on any flight.
it does have some shift but it's not anything drastic and well worth the extra flight time.
FYI it's simulated carbon
it's been taken to over 3000' AGL, never lost a single frame on any flight.
Bob
04-05-2012, 09:53 AM
#2878
RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
ORIGINAL: JohnVH
is cg anything to worry about? Keep everything forward as possible?
KC, notice much CG shift with that fuel tank up front?
is cg anything to worry about? Keep everything forward as possible?
KC, notice much CG shift with that fuel tank up front?
Yes keep everything that is heavy as far forward as possible.
I have the P70 Kero Start on mine and had to notch out the boat tail about an inch to move the turbine as far forward as possible. I have everything as far forward as possible.
I still have a just under a quarter pound of nose weight.
Now I am working on adding smoke. The only place to put the smoke system is right behind the main tank, or add a pod under the wing.
04-05-2012, 10:44 AM
#2880
RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
the R54 has a very wide stab, this broadens the CG range, as is mine used to have a pound of lead in the nose, i slowly removed all of it and it still flies awesome and smooth, no idea where the current CG is at but i'm sure it moved a good bit aft with the weight removed.
04-05-2012, 05:28 PM
#2882
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
Michael T,
I did install the ProLink Struts on my "Reaction54 Kit Version" because our field was taking a toll on the wire gear. I have since sold my Reaction but I believe they were the nano Boomerrang set from Dreamworks and they worked great!! The wheel wells needed a little modification but it really wasn't much and the nose strut fit with no problem.
Also, don't ever sell your Reaction 54 no matter how far advance you get into jets. I already miss my Reaction
Mike
I did install the ProLink Struts on my "Reaction54 Kit Version" because our field was taking a toll on the wire gear. I have since sold my Reaction but I believe they were the nano Boomerrang set from Dreamworks and they worked great!! The wheel wells needed a little modification but it really wasn't much and the nose strut fit with no problem.
Also, don't ever sell your Reaction 54 no matter how far advance you get into jets. I already miss my Reaction
Mike
04-06-2012, 05:26 AM
#2883
RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
ORIGINAL: rcguy!
Ok Folks,
I have to ADD 11oz to get the Center of Gravity at midpont. This brings the empty weight to 18 pounds 10oz. I KNOW some of this is the extra stainless steel sheet to cover the entire aft bottom of the fuse. I'm a little surprised at the rapid weight gain with the turbine installed. The completed airframe weighed just under 13 pounds without the turbine. Add the 11oz and I'm at 13 pounds 10oz. The stainless steel certianly did not add an extra pound! Id say several ozs max. The UAT is full and maybe 5 or 6 ozs kerosene in the main tank. Gald I'm using a 14 pound thrust turbine instead of a 12 pounder. Alto, I'll bet the landings are a bit easier at this weight vs 17 pounds.
Ran the P60 again today for my son. Heck I had it together for the CG check. Pointed the node into the wind and fired it up. After a few minutes I shut 'er down and proceeded to defuel it and take the wing off. Bummers! Melted some Monokote on the stab! Looks like I'll be adding some SS strips to the bottom of it too! Maybe just a few inches out from each side. Turbine start was normal without any flame that I could see.
Bruce,
Could this be caused by running the turbine at WOT for a matter of half a minute? What is the normal turbine startup proceedure? Do you throttle up to check things out before flying like on a piston powered plane? Anybody else have any input on this?
Dave Rigotti
Ok Folks,
I have to ADD 11oz to get the Center of Gravity at midpont. This brings the empty weight to 18 pounds 10oz. I KNOW some of this is the extra stainless steel sheet to cover the entire aft bottom of the fuse. I'm a little surprised at the rapid weight gain with the turbine installed. The completed airframe weighed just under 13 pounds without the turbine. Add the 11oz and I'm at 13 pounds 10oz. The stainless steel certianly did not add an extra pound! Id say several ozs max. The UAT is full and maybe 5 or 6 ozs kerosene in the main tank. Gald I'm using a 14 pound thrust turbine instead of a 12 pounder. Alto, I'll bet the landings are a bit easier at this weight vs 17 pounds.
Ran the P60 again today for my son. Heck I had it together for the CG check. Pointed the node into the wind and fired it up. After a few minutes I shut 'er down and proceeded to defuel it and take the wing off. Bummers! Melted some Monokote on the stab! Looks like I'll be adding some SS strips to the bottom of it too! Maybe just a few inches out from each side. Turbine start was normal without any flame that I could see.
Bruce,
Could this be caused by running the turbine at WOT for a matter of half a minute? What is the normal turbine startup proceedure? Do you throttle up to check things out before flying like on a piston powered plane? Anybody else have any input on this?
Dave Rigotti
04-06-2012, 05:35 AM
#2884
RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
The 54 is an awesome flyer with one major setback . IMO it's to EASY to land. it doesn't teach you how to handle faster , heaver more "jetty" types of jets. it's like a sig cadet senior with a turbine. no challenge at all. i have admit that it's one of the nicest kits to build i've ever done. i wish they would develop a sport wing for it. i asked bruce about it and he had no interest in doing that at all.
04-06-2012, 07:39 AM
#2888
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
ORIGINAL: KC36330
crow works great on the ARF, doesn't make much diffeence on the kit built.
crow works great on the ARF, doesn't make much diffeence on the kit built.
I have noticed that the ARF photos I have seen show quite a bit of flap deflection, like 80 deg or so, quite a bit more than the 60 deg suggested for the stock kit. There is a big increase in drag going from 60 to 80 on the flap. Its actually a slight loss of max lift, but not enough to matter on a floater like the R54.
I have notices some people suggest a half inch of up aileron for crow. Thats not a lot of throw, and I would not expect it to make much difference.
I have my main flaps set up for about 80 deg (have not measured it yet). Up aileron is currently a bit over an inch. (have not measured degrees yet) Its close to done, should be flying this month.
Bob
04-06-2012, 07:39 AM
#2889
RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
Good enough, thanks! I have the retracts in and plumbed, they held air overnight. I noticed I have a bad servo, so hopefully I have another at the shop. Was hoping to have it running tomorrow, but just too much to do, and too many other plans.
I have not programmed anything into my 10x in so long trying to remember all the tricks to setting up a jet.
I have not programmed anything into my 10x in so long trying to remember all the tricks to setting up a jet.
04-06-2012, 08:10 AM
#2890
RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
ORIGINAL: bobparks2
About how much throw did you use on each? (degrees deflection on both down flap and up aileron).
About how much throw did you use on each? (degrees deflection on both down flap and up aileron).
i played with all sorts of flap/aileron settings and never found one on the kit version that made a remarkably noticeable difference.
i fly with a 12x, there is no fuss over setting up crow and adjusting it (just takes a couple seconds to setup, and/or adjust) so i don't see where the hassle 'not worth the trouble' comments come into play, try it out for yoruself, adjust both flap and aileron deflections and make your own opinion on what works best for you.
04-10-2012, 08:28 AM
#2892
RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
ORIGINAL: JohnVH
what is the smallest grass field you guys would fly a P70 powered one off? One field Im a member at has a 200'+ paved and say 300+ grass, the other two fields are all grass 300+
what is the smallest grass field you guys would fly a P70 powered one off? One field Im a member at has a 200'+ paved and say 300+ grass, the other two fields are all grass 300+
04-10-2012, 08:29 AM
#2893
RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
Ok, revision, its 400' grass, but has a 5' hedge on one end, there usually is a breeze somewhat down the runway there, Ill have video rolling this weekend if everything comes together as planned.
Just have to mount the P70 tonight and double check everything, build a start tube, check throws, kick the tires....
Just have to mount the P70 tonight and double check everything, build a start tube, check throws, kick the tires....
04-10-2012, 08:32 AM
#2894
RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
ORIGINAL: JohnVH
Ok, revision, its 400' grass, but has a 5' hedge on one end, there usually is a breeze somewhat down the runway there, Ill have video rolling this weekend if everything comes together as planned.
Just have to mount the P70 tonight and double check everything, build a start tube, check throws, kick the tires....
Ok, revision, its 400' grass, but has a 5' hedge on one end, there usually is a breeze somewhat down the runway there, Ill have video rolling this weekend if everything comes together as planned.
Just have to mount the P70 tonight and double check everything, build a start tube, check throws, kick the tires....
04-10-2012, 11:48 AM
#2896
RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
Taking off from that length is no problem.
Plan to land early on your first flight so that you have plenty of fuel for some go-arounds.
This plane does like to float a little in ground effect and it may take a couple of tries to land and stop on a short runway.
The PO of my R54 kit claimed a radar gun speed of 18 mph for landing and 170 top with the P70.
Plan to land early on your first flight so that you have plenty of fuel for some go-arounds.
This plane does like to float a little in ground effect and it may take a couple of tries to land and stop on a short runway.
The PO of my R54 kit claimed a radar gun speed of 18 mph for landing and 170 top with the P70.
04-10-2012, 04:02 PM
#2898
RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
sitting here struggling a bit, how do I get this setup so the plug on the engine is within 75* of up? I see no way yet..... Searching around, I see nobody else does either, so Ill mount it as best as i can..
I also dont see a point for the thick ply pieces to space the engine lower, are they needed at all??
I also dont see a point for the thick ply pieces to space the engine lower, are they needed at all??
04-10-2012, 11:25 PM
#2899
RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
ORIGINAL: JohnVH
I also dont see a point for the thick ply pieces to space the engine lower, are they needed at all??
I also dont see a point for the thick ply pieces to space the engine lower, are they needed at all??
04-10-2012, 11:31 PM
#2900
RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
ORIGINAL: flyinfool1
Taking off from that length is no problem.
Plan to land early on your first flight so that you have plenty of fuel for some go-arounds.
This plane does like to float a little in ground effect and it may take a couple of tries to land and stop on a short runway.
The PO of my R54 kit claimed a radar gun speed of 18 mph for landing and 170 top with the P70.
Taking off from that length is no problem.
Plan to land early on your first flight so that you have plenty of fuel for some go-arounds.
This plane does like to float a little in ground effect and it may take a couple of tries to land and stop on a short runway.
The PO of my R54 kit claimed a radar gun speed of 18 mph for landing and 170 top with the P70.
