DLEVETT

My Feedback: (13)

Hi Bruce,
You mentioned a "reduced-size" Reaction, is it possible to get or make up myself a set of plans and or templates for a slightly larger Reaction?
I,m thinking about using a JetCat P-80se.

thx
Dave

BruceTharpe

My Feedback: (1)

Dave, have you built an R54? The few guys who have reduced or enlarged the R54 have all been past customers who built and flew the original kit. I consider that as something of a prerequisite for helping with a scaled version.

PaulD

My Feedback: (39)

Dave, if you don't have the P80 and want a Reaction then don't but it. Spend the money on a Wren SS or Kingtech 80 or one of the lightweight 18-20 lb turbines. I had an R54 with a Wren SS and it was a really good performer. If you already have the P80 then maybe consider the composite R54 from PST.

PaulD

DLEVETT

My Feedback: (13)

Hi Bruce, rhanks for the reply.
No I haven,t built an R54 or flown a jet at this point.
My rational for going with a P-80SE is due to my desire to move up to a scale F-86 after a year or two on a Reaction.
I realize that I should probably just purchase a P-70 since I will be flying off a grass field and then just sell the whole package when the time comes to go scale.
I have watched the want ads though and it seems that the return on investment when selling a RTF package is not all that great.
I guess no one likes to take a chance on used turbines, myself included.
At this point I,ve decided that the P-70 approach will be best, since I,d love to reproduce this slightly modified R54 as my first jet.

thx
Dave

BruceTharpe

My Feedback: (1)

Yeah, that's a beautiful R54, built by Warren Hunter. First one with the inlet modification. Less noticeable, but still effective is the slightly modified contoured shape of the fuselage top. Dave, if yours ends up looking that good, maybe the resale value will be higher than most

Ayrtonsenna

My Feedback: (1)

Hi Dave- I've a got a P70 in mine, and in moves! lol ya going to love it- I tend to fly alot off grass so having a little extra power always comes in handy......that and of course those fast low passes always bring a smile to ya face- "Go the 54"

Ants

Sonicwings

Hi all,

That is my all time favorite R54, And i also want to reproduce that one one of these days... Intresting looking around, there realy isnt many builders kits anymore,
even part kits are going, with BVM going away from the ones they were doing...

Bruce, you better keep the R54 on the market, in kit form, least it gives those that like to glue wood, and shape, a option...
In Feb this year, i got to see Ayrtonsenna's R54, First time i had seen one in the flesh as it were, and was very impressed, size, how it flew, and how good it looks in the air,
Even though im doing a PST composite one rite now, i intend to back it up with a wooden one in the next few months... Least then i get to glue, shape, n kit bash... lol.

I to would like to see a kit in a larger size Bruce, P80 to P120 Engine sizing, so would that be about 10% bigger ??? and with plug in wings please... :-)

Cheers Jeremy.

DLEVETT

My Feedback: (13)

Thanks for the encouragement guys.
I really like the inlet mods and as Bruce pointed out the contour changes made to the front end.
Ayrtonsenna thanks for the reply your R54 is awesome looking!
I,m in the process of selling a few of my aerobatic models to make room for a jet, so hopefully in the next month I,ll be ready to get started.
I think I,ll get started by reading this entire thread and any others I can find for building info.

thx
Dave

Stevembh

Hi Tom,

Well the flight day actually arrived! Today I flew the reaction twice. I am just so amazed how well it flies - no bad habbits & really easy to handle. I need to do some more flying with it to familiarise myself with the handling. I need to get the power off earlier for landing as it certaily is a floater.

I have a small problem with the digitec ECU that I have to sort out, the fuel pump doesn't always get PWM to start up after starting on gas. The firmware was recenly upgraded - maybe there is a problem within the firmware - I will have to have a chat with Phil to see what he thinks.

I have attached some photos (after the flight).

Steve

TommyWatson

My Feedback: (1)

Good to hear you have now joined the Reaction club. I have just added up aileron with the flaps, I hope that will help with the floating. I have about 10mm up aileron with full flap.
I will let you know how it goes. It is raining here today.




Regards

BruceTharpe

My Feedback: (1)

Congrats Steve!!! You can't keep a good plane down

Stevembh

Hi Bruce,

Thanks for the words. I now have 6 flights on the Reaction & loving every minuite of it. I managed to get the Jet Model Inspection sorted at the first day of flying & Heavy Model Inspection completed at the second outing.

Bruce you have certainly designed a very good Jet that really does not have any bad habits. The guys at the field were amazed at how slow & how stable the Reaction could fly (2 mistakes above the ground). They really couldn't believe how slow it would fly without flaps deployed & then some outside manouvers albiet reasonably gentle manouvers.

Tom,
Have you tried the up aileron with flaps as yet. I would be interested to know how it goes. I have just had another look at your clubs web site & I must say it is a very professional web site.

Steve

Ayrtonsenna

My Feedback: (1)

Hi Guys-
After some advice, the oleos I'm currently using on the 54 are to light and I keep bending- after this weekends event I've had enough, and need to find an alternative-
I'm thinking trailing link:

http://dreamworksrc.com/catalog/prod...&products_id=4

With only having around 130-140mm in length to play with I'm curious what other people would recommend.

Cheers
Ants

Ayrtonsenna

My Feedback: (1)

Better attach the pictures this time!

ajcoholic

My Feedback: (10)

I know it might be overkill, but in my R54 (which I got used with some cheaper spring air wire gear) I installed Behotec retracts and also struts and brakes. Behotec stuff is machined to perfection... and works every time. I got mine from Peter Ayache at Altecare RC. I actually sent him the gear that was in the plane, and he sent them back to me with the Behotec stuff that was basically a drop in fit. Youc an also get struts to fit if your retracts are OK, with adapters to fit most brands.

I use the same C36 series retracts & gear in my new AD Scorpion, which is a 40+ lb thrust / 30+ lbs weight at take off, from grass. If they hold up in that they shoudl outlast the R54 for years to come.

AJC

JohnVH

My Feedback: (38)

Speaking of gear, what is the most cost effective grass gear for this thing? I need to get mine going!

TommyWatson

My Feedback: (1)

I have flown mine for years with the gear that comes with the kit. always off grass, No problems

Regards

JohnVH

My Feedback: (38)

Mine has no gear.

TommyWatson

My Feedback: (1)

Bruce Tharp (BTE Models) can supply the kit Gear. It is Robart Retracts and wire struts. If you have a hard landing you can straighten the wire easilly.

Regards

JohnVH

My Feedback: (38)

I was hoping on some trailing link or shock absorbing type thing.

TommyWatson

My Feedback: (1)

Well I would like the look of them as well , But I have gone for the simplest and most reliable gear. Mine have never given me any trouble over about 4 years. I have had some very ordinary landings over that time. You will need to modify the wheel wells if you fit trailing link legs..
Either way you will love the Reaction.


Mine with Wren Supersport


Regards

bobparks2

My Feedback: (1)

Most RC "shock absorbing" gear bottoms out way too easily then you have no shock absorbing and thats when things break or bend. And for grass, they dont let the wheel flex backwards very well, which is what it needs to do to go over a clump of grass or something. Wire gear with good wire is better. (the old BVM wire struts were the best I ever used, but I think they are long gone now).

Trailing link has a lot more travel and also lets the wheel go up and aft over the bumps, but as mentioned, you have to modify things to make it fit.

Bob

ajcoholic

My Feedback: (10)

John,
I have Behotec trailing link on my nose, standard Oleo on my mains. They dont "bottom out" (comes with different springs" and man when you are taxiing it can be seen how the gear works to smooth things out. I have 4 jets now with the Behotec gear and I doubt I will buy anything else.

If I built my R54 from scratch I would have installed trailing links on the mains as well (as I have on my AD Phoenix and recently completed Scorpion) but I fly my Kangaroo with the same struts I have on my R54 and they work really well.

AJC

rfrantz

first time uploading photos, let's see if it works.

Mike06659

Hey guys

What trailing links have you guys had luck with? I would like to have a somewhat direct fit with the stock openings in the Reaction. Can anyone recommend which struts would work from Dreamworks. I would like to use Prolink if possible.

Thanks for your help,
Mike