Reaction 54 Jet Kit
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
ORIGINAL: Helijet
That's the beauty of Bruce's kits....lots of room to personalize!
Dean W.
www.pstna.com
That's the beauty of Bruce's kits....lots of room to personalize!
Dean W.
www.pstna.com
run wild on.
Topgun2mo: Thanks for the email reply and great suggestions.
Thanks BalsaBob.
#978
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
Well I got a little time to work on my Reaction today and I built some tail feathers L-39 style! I know the last picture washed out but the leading edge of the fin will also tie in to the rear turbine mount former.
The framework for the vert and horiz stab is 1/4" stock and it is sheeted with 3/32" for 7/16" tail surfaces.
The framework for the vert and horiz stab is 1/4" stock and it is sheeted with 3/32" for 7/16" tail surfaces.
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
Yes Bruce, those are rocket tubes and machined balsa nose and tail cones from BalsaMachining.com. You can specify any dimensions you want and he will make them for you. He also has a wide selection of rocket tubes. The height of the fin is scale. The turtledeck/intake structure will add alot of tortional rigidity, as will the glass finish so I am not worried about that. I am going to shorten the rudder a bit from the scale height though. I will use a torque rod with a concealed linkage for the rudder. The elevator will have a stock horn setup with C/F push rods for both rudder and elevator with the servos located above the boat tail.
#984
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
I did not build my RE54, but I love built up surfaces. I have a kaos that is now 6 years old and although it is fuelsoaked the tailfeathers (built up) are still as straight as the day I built them. Maybe over the winter I may change the tailfeathers on the 54. I love to change things
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
Nice job Mike. That's using ingenuity and creativity! Can't wait to see the final creation.
BTW, I want to put the UAT next to the ECU where Bruce has the ECU in the plans, but need
to keep the pump as close to the UAT as possible. Has any one done this or mounted the pump
under the main tank near the wing leading edge without any problems?[sm=confused.gif]
Thanx
BTW, I want to put the UAT next to the ECU where Bruce has the ECU in the plans, but need
to keep the pump as close to the UAT as possible. Has any one done this or mounted the pump
under the main tank near the wing leading edge without any problems?[sm=confused.gif]
Thanx
#986
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
G'Day Myersflyers,
I have my UAT set into the "ECU Shelf". I have the pump right next to the UAT. The ECU is velcroed to the inside of the boat tail.
I use a rearward facing clunk so the feed line is coming out of the front of the tank compartment.
So you get a short line from the tank to the UAT and a short line from the UAT to the pump. The pressure line from the pump is longer but does not seem to be a problem.
Regards
I have my UAT set into the "ECU Shelf". I have the pump right next to the UAT. The ECU is velcroed to the inside of the boat tail.
I use a rearward facing clunk so the feed line is coming out of the front of the tank compartment.
So you get a short line from the tank to the UAT and a short line from the UAT to the pump. The pressure line from the pump is longer but does not seem to be a problem.
Regards
#987
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
Myersflyers, Here is a pic of my setup. I built a shelf to hold the UAT, the fuel shutoff selenoid, and the retract valve/servo. This shelf sits above my retract and wheel brake air tanks. The fuel pump is on the ECU shelf. My tank will have a rear facing clunk and the fuel lines exit the tank area facing forward (between the elevator and rudder servos). (my ECU will be going in the area where the rear hatch is). This may give you some additional ideas/options. Bob
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
Tommy and Bob, Thank you for your input.
Really like both of your set ups (more great ideas).[sm=idea.gif]
I forgot to mention that I am not going to incorporate the hatch on the top of the fuse.
Hence, the need to keep the ECU in the designed location. But moving the UAT next
to the ECU prompts me figure a way to keep the pump as close to the UAT but still at a
distance from the ECU (just one of those issues when altering a good design).
I definitely want the UAT in the front compartment, a rearward facing main tank and the
pump as close a possible to the UAT. That's why I asked the question about how close
is too close for the ECU and pump. I may consider making a small fiberglass side hatch
near the boat tail that will house the ECU and make it readily accessible, but would prefer
not to create a side hatch if possible.
Thanx Again,
Keith
Really like both of your set ups (more great ideas).[sm=idea.gif]
I forgot to mention that I am not going to incorporate the hatch on the top of the fuse.
Hence, the need to keep the ECU in the designed location. But moving the UAT next
to the ECU prompts me figure a way to keep the pump as close to the UAT but still at a
distance from the ECU (just one of those issues when altering a good design).
I definitely want the UAT in the front compartment, a rearward facing main tank and the
pump as close a possible to the UAT. That's why I asked the question about how close
is too close for the ECU and pump. I may consider making a small fiberglass side hatch
near the boat tail that will house the ECU and make it readily accessible, but would prefer
not to create a side hatch if possible.
Thanx Again,
Keith
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
G'day Keith,
You can still have the ECU near the engine (in the boat tail). just get an extension for the RJ45 connectur. Todd (dreamworks) sells them. I took it out of the case and glued the PCB to some ply. you can flush mount it in the side of the boat tail and just plug the display in from the side. I do have a hatch in mine but i could have mounted it externally. The main reason I mounted the ECU near the engine, was because the EGT temp probe cable would not reach to the front. I shortened the cable on mine but the soldering is a bit delicate.
On my first Reaction, I also mounted the gas socket on the side. Now it is under the hatch. Thinking about it , I would probably mount the gas socket in the front.
I have seen guys with Autostart engine who don't use the display. I like to see what is going on.
Regards
You can still have the ECU near the engine (in the boat tail). just get an extension for the RJ45 connectur. Todd (dreamworks) sells them. I took it out of the case and glued the PCB to some ply. you can flush mount it in the side of the boat tail and just plug the display in from the side. I do have a hatch in mine but i could have mounted it externally. The main reason I mounted the ECU near the engine, was because the EGT temp probe cable would not reach to the front. I shortened the cable on mine but the soldering is a bit delicate.
On my first Reaction, I also mounted the gas socket on the side. Now it is under the hatch. Thinking about it , I would probably mount the gas socket in the front.
I have seen guys with Autostart engine who don't use the display. I like to see what is going on.
Regards
#991
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
Thanks again Bob and Tommy,
Tommy, excellent idea on the extension! Problem solved!
Don't know why I didn't think of that at first. [sm=bananahead.gif]
Much Appreciated,
Keith
Tommy, excellent idea on the extension! Problem solved!
Don't know why I didn't think of that at first. [sm=bananahead.gif]
Much Appreciated,
Keith
#992
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
here is my lay out for anyone interested, i put the air tank in the hatch above the turbine. this also allowed me to use the large robart tank. i can cycle my gear 10 or 12 times easily. also, i am using a bvm nose retract unit. keep up the neat ideas, the r54 is like a 70's volkswagon, no matter what retro or color you would paint a bug, it just worked. barry
#993
RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
Speaking of modifications, this is kind of the idea I was kicking around but I decided to make it a little more simple.
Thanks to mach1 and the general's SM T45 for inspiration.
Thanks to mach1 and the general's SM T45 for inspiration.
#996
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
Hi Bruce
Attached some pics of my design to help keep nosegear steering cables out of the way. Simple block of balsa locking a piece of nyrod with an eyelet in the end. Will lay flat against side when retracted.
Also I put strobelights in the wingtips so I can see them better and they also tell me when the receiver is on.
Lens is made from a Coke bottle.
Just waiting for better weather and for my foot injury to heal.
Ed
Attached some pics of my design to help keep nosegear steering cables out of the way. Simple block of balsa locking a piece of nyrod with an eyelet in the end. Will lay flat against side when retracted.
Also I put strobelights in the wingtips so I can see them better and they also tell me when the receiver is on.
Lens is made from a Coke bottle.
Just waiting for better weather and for my foot injury to heal.
Ed
#998
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
ORIGINAL: afterburner
Hey Dave,
Florida Jets was incredible. Here's two pics I got of R54's.
Marty
Hey Dave,
Florida Jets was incredible. Here's two pics I got of R54's.
Marty
Mike,
Looks like more flap is needed at mid position. I measure 30 degrees and 60 on mine.
Dave Rigotti
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
All,
I finally got my Reaction in the air at Florida Jets 2006. I was fortunate enough to have Dave Rigotti check out my set up and assist me in the maiden. Thanks again Dave! I must had a dozen people ask me what the Duracell 9 Volt battery was for . I took off with no flaps and it rolled in about 150ft. One click of right trim and a couple clicks of up elevator and it was perfect. I ended up with 7.5oz of nose weight which I have since removed 1/2 oz so I could remove elevator trim. I did not have enough mid flap dialed in for the first landing and I floated down the runway, but now have added about 30 degrees on mid and 60 on landing. After a couple more flights I use the full flap on final and it slows to a crawl. The P60 seems to be a perfect combo for this airplane. My first flight back in GA resulted in a dead stick as I was not paying attention to my timer. I found out that you can get about 7.5 mins on the stock Dubro tank and UAT with the P60 flying a normal flight with full throttle high speed passes and normal acrobatic maneuvers. The Reaction glided in with no problem. After seeing the Reaction fly several of my fellow club members have taken the plunge! Thanks for a great flying airplane Bruce.
Mike Altis
I finally got my Reaction in the air at Florida Jets 2006. I was fortunate enough to have Dave Rigotti check out my set up and assist me in the maiden. Thanks again Dave! I must had a dozen people ask me what the Duracell 9 Volt battery was for . I took off with no flaps and it rolled in about 150ft. One click of right trim and a couple clicks of up elevator and it was perfect. I ended up with 7.5oz of nose weight which I have since removed 1/2 oz so I could remove elevator trim. I did not have enough mid flap dialed in for the first landing and I floated down the runway, but now have added about 30 degrees on mid and 60 on landing. After a couple more flights I use the full flap on final and it slows to a crawl. The P60 seems to be a perfect combo for this airplane. My first flight back in GA resulted in a dead stick as I was not paying attention to my timer. I found out that you can get about 7.5 mins on the stock Dubro tank and UAT with the P60 flying a normal flight with full throttle high speed passes and normal acrobatic maneuvers. The Reaction glided in with no problem. After seeing the Reaction fly several of my fellow club members have taken the plunge! Thanks for a great flying airplane Bruce.
Mike Altis