mr_matt

My Feedback: (10)

We got rid of the hatch on mine as well. Pictures when I get the plane from my dad. P-70 (Serial Number #1) planned

JimBrown

My Feedback: (2)

Hi Bob,

You now know of at least one high speed R54 crash. Mine, last year. Due to dumb thumbs during a split S to a high speed low pass. Fortunately, it occurred as the jet was almost level, so it ended up as more of a pancake with a wing tip strike first. No time to shut anything down, so engine was at full throttle.

Due to the wing tip strike and shallow angle, the engine departed the airframe at an angle, and did not get near the main tank. Airframe damage was everything behind the boat tail destroyed and half of one wing half destroyed. Everything forward of the boat tail remained intact. A great testament to Bruce's excellent design. (But too much damage for my lazy butt to rebuild.)

My second R54 is almost ready to maiden!

...jim

ww2birds

My Feedback: (14)

My R54 hatch has two large Sig hinges at the front, and a "super" magnet 3/8" dia holding onto the head of an allen screw that has been ground flat .. has not opened in flight at least so far!

Dave

BruceTharpe

My Feedback: (1)

Not sure if it's mentioned in the instructions book, but I always intended that rear hatch to be optional and/or re-positionable by the builder. There is nothing sacred about its position, it just worked out in my first installation to be a good place for access to the fuel valve. Like Bob said, I'd much prefer no hatch back there from a structural standpoint, but it's handy. I've never heard or seen any problems with it blowing open in flight. Sounds like a real hatch latch would be the best solution.

F4 d best

Hi everybody,

Just to let you know that my R54 has landed safe and sound with still a lot of glueing and sanding to be done......


Picture shows the shipping box full of wood and parts, thanks Bruce.


Mario

flyinfool1

My Feedback: (2)

Bruce, That is kind of why I was going to screw it down.
The screws would give me some structural benefit yet still leave me able to service the 2 air tanks back there.

bobparks2

My Feedback: (1)

You would need a LOT of screws before it made much difference structurally. If you had birch ply hatch with screws into maple, it would not need too many. With screws through balsa or lite ply, you would need a lot of them.

Now, its not THAT critical to get extra strength back there, since its pretty good already, and I dont think there are any reports of breakage at that point. So, use enough screws to hold it in place, and dont worry about the loads.

Bob

cjshaker

I have not found the kits available on eBay, and Bruce is currently out of the kits.

His new composite ARF Reaction 54 is not suitable for smaller motors, such as the Jetcat
P-60, so it seems to me that the balsa kits will still be in demand.

I've got an undisturbed Reaction 54 kit, the retract package, the wheel and brake package,
the fuel system package, the full size covering templates, and the 'corner sander' that
I might sell. Not sure yet if I want to sell it.

I saw Bruce's own Reaction 54 at Jets Over Whidby last year, and I was impressed with the
elegant simplicity of his personal airplane, built according to plans.

I've got $470 in the kit, $320 in retract package, $80 in wheel and brake package, $22 in the
fuel system package, $30 in the covering templates, and $15 in the corner sander, for $937
total spent.

http://www.btemodels.com/r54.html

Chris Shaker

JohnVH

My Feedback: (38)

^^ Haha, beat me to it!

I also have a mostly NIB wood kit, no extra's, I have the wings almost completed, and are sheeted on one side.. Rest of the kit is untouched, NIB! I bought one already built, so I dont need this one anymore.

I have flown an R54, and they fly awesome, and the hard part is almost done on mine for someone that wants one! PM or email me if interested in my kit. how about $400 for it.

Thank you
John

cjshaker

As I said, I'm not sure I want to sell mine. Keep wondering about turning it into an
EDF. :^)

Chris

Ron Stahl

My Feedback: (12)

My rear hatch is held closed by 3m clear vinal tape. It has never opened in flight.

JohnVH

My Feedback: (38)

Mine is for sale, as I have another one.

maxvertical

LOL, Just don't try to pick it up using the aft hatch area as a hand hold... As I found out, it will break.. Was actually a bit brainless on my part and something I won't ever do again, but figured I'd best pass that along before someone else finds out the hard way. The nice part is being wood, very simple fix.

speedbrake

Ouch...never thought to pick up the model using the aft hatch opening. Thanks for the warning. Speaking of the aft hatch, has anybody used the aft hatch as a speedbrake? Seems like a great place for one...I'm thinking about doing it on mine.

Speedbrake

bobparks2

My Feedback: (1)

A speedbrake there is directly upstream of the vertical tail, so expect some yaw wiggle and loss of stability due to the speed brake wake hitting the vertical.

Most of the full scale jets with an upper body speed brake have twin verticals, so its not a problem for them.

More flap deflection and/or crow mode would probably give more drag.

bob

speedbrake

I'll give it a try and see what happens. It will be interesting to see just how much the turburlance affects the vertical/yaw.

speedbrake

ww2birds

My Feedback: (14)

We discussed this a while ago on this thread .. I built my rear hatch so that it could be used as a brake, but I have not put a servo or air cyl on it yet... there were a lot of comments about airflow blocking the vertical fin/rudder, but it is done with great success on the single-tail Eurofighter (see the Dreamworks pages on the EF upgrades) .. of course the EF has a VERY tall tail fin. So I built mine with a small-ish hatch so that it won't block the whole fin.

Here is a pic from the build...

Dave

speedbrake

Hey..yes we did chat many months ago. Your speedbrake looks great. Hope to hear about how it performs soon. I think the hatch area will be fine for a speedbrake. I'll modify my Reacton this summer. I plan to continue using the hatch for access to the fuel valve and refuel tube. Just leave the speedbrake up after landing for access.


Keith

JohnVH

My Feedback: (38)

does the reaction really need a speed brake?

kkn

My Feedback: (3)

Mario,

It will go together really well. I did mine in a month of evenings. If you need any clarificaions give me a call, but the manual is clear as crystal. Will give you a call when it is suitable for flying mine, maybe you would want to come over.......

regards

Joseph

TommyWatson

My Feedback: (1)

NO

kkn

My Feedback: (3)

Mario,

A recent Pic.

regards

Joseph

JohnVH

My Feedback: (38)

What I already knew Thanks for the confirmation

JimBrown

My Feedback: (2)

Hi Guys!

My second R54 (built by me this time) took to the air this past Saturday. As expected, it flew great! Not only was it the first flight on a new jet, but it was my first flight of the season (did I mention we had a lot of snow this winter?)

Feels good to get the thumbs twiddling again.

No pics yet, but my club posted a couple of pics on our web page from the last meeting, where I took it in for "bring and brag". http://stetsonflyers.com (Note of interest: Our club meetings are held at the Canadian National Aviation Museum, in the theatre at the back. Helps that one of our club members works there. Heh.)

Have a good one!
...jim

rcguy!

My Feedback: (69)

Jim,
Ya got skid plates on the wing tip bottoms?!!
Nice job!
Seeya soon.

Dave Rigotti