Reaction 54 Jet Kit
#329
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
BTW...Mine came out at 18.2 pounds and I had to add 9 ounces of lead to the nose to get the airplane to balance at the forward CG mark. I'll attribute the added weight due to the pneumatic brake system which the brakes were aft of the CG datum and not benefiting to using the Kavan brake system which adds 2 ounces to the nose. I'm sure that I'll be able to pull an ounce or two out and move the CG toward the aft of the range but for right now I like how she handles. This jet has a lot of wing area and had no problem doing what I wanted it to do. She does land very nicely.
I almost forgot to mention that I didn't have a single problem with melting Monokote yesterday. I used my start tube during the start and just after shutdown and not even a sag anywhere aft of the turbine exhaust. Bruce is correct, when the engine is running there's nothing to worry about. Only during start and possibly during shutdown. The 8" stove pipe worked great for me.
If you guys want further details about my configuration drop me a line.
I'm off to the post office to get my paperwork to the AMA
Cheers,
I almost forgot to mention that I didn't have a single problem with melting Monokote yesterday. I used my start tube during the start and just after shutdown and not even a sag anywhere aft of the turbine exhaust. Bruce is correct, when the engine is running there's nothing to worry about. Only during start and possibly during shutdown. The 8" stove pipe worked great for me.
If you guys want further details about my configuration drop me a line.
I'm off to the post office to get my paperwork to the AMA
Cheers,
#330
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
To say I'm pleased would be a huge understatement. I am geeked! Tim, you are exactly the kind of modeler the R54 design was aimed at - skilled builder and flyer looking for the next challenge. I'm happy for you and proud of you. As far as I know, this is the first customer-built R54 to fly. OK Dave, Ron, Mike, Tommy, Gary, and the many other R54 builders out there - who's next?
Thanks again for the outstanding flight report, Tim. Wonder what your mind will be drifting off to today at work...
Bruce
------------
BTE www.btemodels.com
Thanks again for the outstanding flight report, Tim. Wonder what your mind will be drifting off to today at work...
Bruce
------------
BTE www.btemodels.com
#331
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
Thank you Bruce,
Fortunately I'm off today. I have a work schedule that keeps me in the office Wednesday thru Saturday.
But I am "slightly" distracted....
Let me know what your next big venture will be and plan to put me on your list
Cheers,
Fortunately I'm off today. I have a work schedule that keeps me in the office Wednesday thru Saturday.
But I am "slightly" distracted....
Let me know what your next big venture will be and plan to put me on your list
Cheers,
#333
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
Sorry Bruce,
What I should have said is your next "big adventure with a new aircraft design". Lord knows that your busy enough already. Keep those kits rolling out....
Cheer,
What I should have said is your next "big adventure with a new aircraft design". Lord knows that your busy enough already. Keep those kits rolling out....
Cheer,
#334
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
I am just starting to cover mine. My job has kept me busy and with the minor heath setback; I just didn't feel like going into the shop at night when I got home. After reading the flight report and seeing the videos I am back at it. Bruce I'll see you at Toledo in a week and a half.
#335
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
Another R54 flies!
YUP!
Dave Rigotti is no longer a zero time turbine pilot!
With the help of Jim Hiller (MA turbine columnist) the Rigotti Reaction 54 took to the air for the first time. After quite a few mis-starts due to the cold weather we got her spooled up and Jim had the honors of the first take-off. After about a 300 foot ground roll she lifted off and climbed out very well. After several laps he made the commnet that he has not needed to touch the trims! "Oh Yeah!" He handed the control to me and I flew around for the next five minutes doing loops, rolls, split S's and the like. I set up for landing and dropped full flap and the nose pitched down a bit, not a lot, just a bit (too much down mix, my fault). Brought her on to final and had to stretch the approach a bit and had a minor bounce. No gamage at all. HEY BRUCE...the flaps are big enough!!!
About an hour later after a through check over we were ready to try again. Took out all but 5% down trim mix with flaps this try. I taxi'd to the end of the runway and spooled up...took off with a grunt of up elevator and climbed out AOK. The grass field at this time of year is pretty poor. Again, loops rolls, and photo passes were flown. She handles like a well behaved low wing sport plane should. ROCK SOLID! Forgot to start the timer (DOH!) so I setup for landing using half flap and proceeded to "grease her in". I think I like half flap better! No tendency to drop a wing, kinda "locked on" and just a matter of elevator timing for the flare.
I'll post some pics and video (from the still camera) shortly........
Thank You Bruce Tharpe! I know the road was bumpy for both of us at times. You have a great airplane to be proud of.
Thank You Tim for ALL the PM keeping me focused and allowing me a sanity check at times.
Thank You to my family...The allowed HOURS spent away with this endeavor is appreciated
And of course
Thank You Connie for allowing, yet another segment of the hobby, to be enjoyed. :-))
Dave "turbine pilot" Rigotti
YUP!
Dave Rigotti is no longer a zero time turbine pilot!
With the help of Jim Hiller (MA turbine columnist) the Rigotti Reaction 54 took to the air for the first time. After quite a few mis-starts due to the cold weather we got her spooled up and Jim had the honors of the first take-off. After about a 300 foot ground roll she lifted off and climbed out very well. After several laps he made the commnet that he has not needed to touch the trims! "Oh Yeah!" He handed the control to me and I flew around for the next five minutes doing loops, rolls, split S's and the like. I set up for landing and dropped full flap and the nose pitched down a bit, not a lot, just a bit (too much down mix, my fault). Brought her on to final and had to stretch the approach a bit and had a minor bounce. No gamage at all. HEY BRUCE...the flaps are big enough!!!
About an hour later after a through check over we were ready to try again. Took out all but 5% down trim mix with flaps this try. I taxi'd to the end of the runway and spooled up...took off with a grunt of up elevator and climbed out AOK. The grass field at this time of year is pretty poor. Again, loops rolls, and photo passes were flown. She handles like a well behaved low wing sport plane should. ROCK SOLID! Forgot to start the timer (DOH!) so I setup for landing using half flap and proceeded to "grease her in". I think I like half flap better! No tendency to drop a wing, kinda "locked on" and just a matter of elevator timing for the flare.
I'll post some pics and video (from the still camera) shortly........
Thank You Bruce Tharpe! I know the road was bumpy for both of us at times. You have a great airplane to be proud of.
Thank You Tim for ALL the PM keeping me focused and allowing me a sanity check at times.
Thank You to my family...The allowed HOURS spent away with this endeavor is appreciated
And of course
Thank You Connie for allowing, yet another segment of the hobby, to be enjoyed. :-))
Dave "turbine pilot" Rigotti
#337
My Feedback: (69)
RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
ORIGINAL: causeitflies-RCU
Oh Man[:@] I gotta get this other project off the bench so I can start mine.
Congratulations Dave!!
Oh Man[:@] I gotta get this other project off the bench so I can start mine.
Congratulations Dave!!
Dave Rigotti
#339
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
WooHoo!!! I am so happy for you Dave, it's hard to describe. Thank you so much for the exciting flight report - sounds like you had a good day. The big smile in the last pic says it all...
Hmmm, hope we get to see that big smile in Model Aviation!
Bruce
----------------
BTE www.btemodels.com
Hmmm, hope we get to see that big smile in Model Aviation!
Bruce
----------------
BTE www.btemodels.com
#340
My Feedback: (69)
RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
ORIGINAL: BruceTharpe
WooHoo!!! I am so happy for you Dave, it's hard to describe. Thank you so much for the exciting flight report - sounds like you had a good day. The big smile in the last pic says it all...
Hmmm, hope we get to see that big smile in Model Aviation!
Bruce
----------------
BTE www.btemodels.com
WooHoo!!! I am so happy for you Dave, it's hard to describe. Thank you so much for the exciting flight report - sounds like you had a good day. The big smile in the last pic says it all...
Hmmm, hope we get to see that big smile in Model Aviation!
Bruce
----------------
BTE www.btemodels.com
Thanks for hanging in there with me! Great kit, great flying airplane.
Between us girls....The first landing bounced pretty bad (read sucked!) NO damage at all. Bent the struts forward to where they belonged and never looked back.
It does look good in the air. A real nice profile. With the overcast skies the pictures don't do it justice. I'll post some more when a sunny flying shows up..It may be June though!
Gonna miss meeting you at Toledo....
Dave "turbine pilot, Reaction 54 driver" Rigotti
#345
My Feedback: (69)
RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
ORIGINAL: rjpilot
Hi Dave:
Have mine finished, and am installing the radio now.
Are you going to Toledo?
I will be there on Friday.
Ron Jahnig
Hi Dave:
Have mine finished, and am installing the radio now.
Are you going to Toledo?
I will be there on Friday.
Ron Jahnig
Dave
#346
RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
I usually go on Friday but I have to work 6 PM Thurs. to 6 AM Fri.[] I was planning on going Sat. but may stay home and try to finish my Staudacher to make room on the bench for the R54. My turbine buddy is all set to 'buddy box" me whenever I'm ready.
#348
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
Sorry Ron, that won't work for the simple reason that BTE will not have a booth at Toledo this year. I had to bow out for the first time in five or six years because I'm just too far behind in kit production. Next up is batch #2 of R54s! I do hope you guys meet up and swap stories about the model.
Mmmmm, Mancy's....
Mmmmm, Mancy's....
#349
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
All this Reaction activity has made me get on with mine. I have almost finished the covering and it just needs the stuff to be installed in the fuse. SOON!!!.
Regards
Regards
#350
Join Date: Jan 2004
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RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
Dave
Congratulations on becoming a turbine driver! You will not look back. I have just sold all but one of my prop models to concentrate on turbines
and have ordered a Wren Supersport, 18lbs of thrust from a 2lb turbine! I have a notion that a Skymasters Hornet is going to be making some low passes over Scotland some time in the near future!
Best regards
John
Congratulations on becoming a turbine driver! You will not look back. I have just sold all but one of my prop models to concentrate on turbines
and have ordered a Wren Supersport, 18lbs of thrust from a 2lb turbine! I have a notion that a Skymasters Hornet is going to be making some low passes over Scotland some time in the near future!
Best regards
John