JustErik

The big brown airplane truck was here again today, and this time they (Tower) got it right. Man, this bird is really nice! I didn't get a chance to dig real deep into the box yet, but I eyeballed all the parts looking for damage, and there was none to be found. I know some pics have already been posted, but I'm going to try to get some good close-ups of the components posted because I think it's really well built and designed. I perused the assembly manual and realized that it's set up for dual elevator servos, which had escaped my notice until then. I view that as a plus because it solves issues related to flex between the two sides. There are also SIX cutouts in the tail to allow a bit of flexibility when it comes to mounting your servos.

As excited as I am about this plane, I probably won't get started on it until after the holidays.

FNG

Just a note about an error in the manual. On fitting your engine to the engine mount. The picture shows 4-5/16" from front of drive washer to firewall. The text reads 4-15/16" from front of drive washer to firewall.

The text is correct! should be 4-15/16"

JustErik

Thanks for the warning Mark. I haven't even taken mine out of the box yet. :-( Are you making good progress on yours? Do you have any pics?

fayrwerks

hi guys. would an os 46ax do some hovering with the reactor?

FNG

Ok, I got mine all together, but have not flown it. Need to brake in the engine, and the weather is not very good now either. All up wieght (dry) is 93.1 oz. Thats is with a JR 7 ch Rx (mounted as far aft as possible in bay), 720mil 4 cell MIMH batt (just forward of the tail servos for balance), OS FS70 II surpass with the 90 deg inside muffler adapter, and a APC 14x4W prop. HS 81mg on the throttle, mounted in the most aft bay under the hatch. CG is just about as the manual states (4.75" aft of LE), perhaps just a touch aft.

The manual says 745sq in wing area, Tower says 702sq isn wing area. so wing loading is either 17.99 or 19.1. I would have to say that 18 would be nice and floaty, 19 should be ok too!

Mark

JustErik

Sounds great Mark. I'm hoping to start mine soon after the holidays. Do you have any pics of the assembly process? Any words of wisdom or warnings we need to know about? I am very anxious to read a flight report and hope the weather breaks for you soon.

Erik

JustErik

fayrwerks,

I don't think anyone has any flight reports on this particular plane yet. However, based on my limited experience, I think the 46 AX would definitely hover the Reactor. With light equipment you should be able to come in somewhere between 5 and 5.5 pounds. You probably won't have explosive vertical performance, but you should be able to climb out with a bit of authority. This is just my impression based on what I've read.

Hope this helps,

Erik

Daniel Z

5lbs hovers well and pulls out with authority, 51/2 lbs may feel marginal in my experience too

Jack Hyde

My Feedback: (1)

I have flown a 4 lb Burrito with an OS 46. It was barely OK. The 46 develops about 7 lbs static thrust. I have a Saito 91 on my 5.5 lb profile. I would not like a 46 on a 5.5 lb plane.

rclement

My Feedback: (1)

Anyone know if this plane can be modified to accept standard size servos? Any flight reports yet? Pictures?

Kostas1

JustErik

I'd bet money on it. I haven't taken mine out of the packaging yet, but given that it's a .40-sized plane, I'm certain that anyone with a little experience and ambition could do it. It may alter the flying weight, however, and therefore the flying characteristics. If you put standard servos in the tail, you will probably be adding at least an extra 2 ounces back there, which could equate to needing several ounces on the nose to make it balance properly. Until a few are built and reported on, we won't really know how the plane tends to balance. You could be the first one to do the standard servo mod and let us know how it goes. :-)

As far as pics, I'll hopefully be starting on mine next week and plan to start an official build thread to document the process.

mmmdowning

I'm looking at puting an AXI 4120 and Hitec HS225MG servos in mine. This is a really nice looking bird. I'm hoping to start tonight or in the morning.

JustErik

mmmdowning,

I'd love to hear about your electric version as it comes together. Those 225MGs should really be a nice combo with the plane. And I agree, it looks really nice. If it flies as good as it looks, it ought to become very popular.

mmmdowning

JustErik

I'll take pictures through the process and post. It should be a fun plane. The club I belong with look in amazement when I fly the big Showtime on an AXI 5330. All of my planes are powered by AXI.

FNG

If you look at the manual online it tells you where to enlarge the tail servo opennings. The aileron servo opennings could be done but might be just abit more work. I have a OS 70 II surpass in the front of mine and HS225 on all flight controls, It could use the tail weight you would gain from full sized servos in the back!

I hope to get out and fly mine today

Ernie Misner

My standard servos are only .5 oz heavier than the minis.... Rob, thanks for asking that question....:-)

Thanks,

Ernie

Capt. John

Here is the info on the electric version. Beautiful plane, I must admit.

Definately in the running for my next electric plane. Like the looks of the Katana they keep showing at this website, also.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=791

jimmyjoe

My Feedback: (21)

I really like GP's forward thinking on this plane. I have a UCD .60 size and really enjoy flying it. Looks like they bread the UCD and pattern ship and came up with this. You know there has to be a .60 size in the making. Great Planes build it in a .60 and I will buy 2 of them.

JustErik

Thanks for the link, Captain. That's almost the exact size and weight of my Extreme Flight Extra 300. I'm new to EP and so far have only bought "package deals" so that I can be sure of getting an appropriate power system. You do realize, however, that the subject of this thread is the larger version of the Reactor, right? This one spans 54 inches and weighs between 5 and 6 pounds. I'm not sure I'm ready to move up into this size electric bird, but I'm anxious to hear how mmmdowning's turns out.

Erik

likestofly

My Feedback: (2)

Guys,get this plane !
Here`s my setup: YS-63 using an OS inside header hte muffler exits out of the airbox on the bottom. The manuel states using sn OS 70,U will have to add 2 to 5 ounces to the tail, so I used my YS instead.
Servos: I used JR811`s in the rear (3),hitec 225mg-ailrons & a hitic-81 for throttle.A 6v-1650 battery in the nose and the plane balances without any additional weight. Flying weight ia 5.1/4 lb`s.
If U don`t want to do the sweetest blenders,tightest flat spins, straight knife edge passes, then stay away fron this plane.
Our resident expert,Dave Sullivan flew it & he was doing rolling circles 30 seconds into the flight,he loved this plane and wants a bigger version to go electric with.
tHE PLANE IS VERY BUILT,HAD NOT ONE WRINKLE IN IT,however the two things I did not like were; 1, U are given sheet metal screws for all the control horns,I used dubro heavy duty horns. 2, the tailwheel is installed directly to the rudder,the servo will take a lot of abuse,so I USED A sullivan instead.
I only have 4 flights on so far, but I like it so far, stall are straight fotward,lands a little fast but easy, You will not be sorry spending your $ on this one.

JustErik

likestofly,

Thanks for the excellent report! I'm enthused to hear about your setup as I will be using the YS .63 as well. Do you know a part number or perhaps have a link to the header you used? I had planned on using the stock YS muffler, but your installation sounds very clean. I'm now even more anxious to get started on mine. I just need to finish up my current project and then the Reactor is next.

FNG

This is the one I got!

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXCA99&P=M

Mark

FNG

Likestofly, where did you end up with your CG at?

still trying to have the time and weather at the same to fly mine [>:]

FNG

Here are some pictures I took while waiting for the fog to lift. I ran out of time before the fog lifted so I didn't get to fly it yet []
In one of the pictures you can see where I put the battery in the tail from the bottom. 3mm depron foam painted black to cover where I cut out the monokote to install my Rx as far aft as possible, plus I wanted it black in thier anyways.