Posts: 649
Joined: 2/10/2002 From: Rockland,
ON, CANADA Status: offline
My new R54 survived its first Jet Rally (Jet over Leamington), and it was the one where I lost my first R54.
Friday was windy, 20 mph, but straight down the runway. Made landings interesting as you didn't want it to get too slow near the ground due to turbulence. So, a little more power carried almost to touch down did the trick.
Saturday was a no go for the R54. 35 mph with 45 mph gusts straight across the runway. Some of us got into the wobbly pops early in the afternoon. Heh.
Sunday was great. 10 mph wind, 45 degree cross. The R54 handled it with grace and style. My last landing was an absolute greaser. I don't think I even compressed the Robart Oleo struts I have on the mains.
Once again, I can't say enough about this design. Just wonderful.
Regards, ...jim
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Posts: 74
Joined: 10/10/2002 From: Santa Ana, EL SALVADOR Status: online
Done!!!! I bought my R54 three years ago and yes, it's taken me that long to finish it. What can I say... I'm a slow builder! The fuselage and stabilizer surfaces are glassed and the wings are covered with SIG Aerokote. Paint is by ICI, a two part automotive paint. Everything else was built per BTE plans. It's a bit porky though. Weighs in at 19 oz. Turbine is a PST600R and guidance is through a JR9303 radio. I had to learn to program the radio as I set the model up. Great radio! Still have to take care of certain other items before I maiden, like the start up heat shield and a fueling rig plus I'd like to program in some flight modes. Maybe another 2 weeks and I'll be able join the jet club... what's 2 weeks when I've been at it for 3 years!! Anyway, I'll post again once I maiden.
Posts: 325
Joined: 11/29/2003 From: Rogue River,
OR, USA Status: offline
Looks great RL7000! Nice to see a new color scheme on the R54. 19 lbs. is not all that heavy compared to many that have been built, so don't worry about that for even a moment. We're looking forward to the flight report!
You mentioned that you had to learn to program your radio while setting up this model, which is fine. Just some friendly advice here: be sure to go through every function and double check that it is inhibited or switched off if it is not used (sorry, don't know JR's exact nomenclature). You don't want to accidentally bump a switch and have the ailerons go full over or some other weird mix that you didn't expect.
Posts: 1173
Joined: 5/22/2003 From: Vernon,
CT, USA Status: offline
I am happy to report that yesterday I completed my waiver requirements and mailed the paperwork to the AMA. The R 54 performed flawlessly in the hands of this very nervous flyer. We got in 2 good flights on Saturday and were ready to go for the third (my solo) when Mother Nature reared her ugly head and sent us lightning, thunder and rain. Sunday was real gloomy with a low ceiling till about mid afternoon. Fortunately the winds were light and of no consequence. My take off was OK (sorta) followed by some fly bys and a roll to loosen me up. Then the timer beeper went off at 4 1/2 minutes (set low to give me lots of fuel margin) and it was time to land. Then the nerves set in. I was not really smooth on my approach. In fact I aborted the first try and went around. The second was better. Full flaps down the center of the runway and wobbled it to the ground. I thought I had screwed everything up and even managed to roll off the edge of the runway but I guess everyone else under stood what the waiver flight is like. As I said, the paper work is in the mail to the AMA. Now I can fine tune the trims and expos, relax and enjoy a fine airplane. Thanks Bruce for a great forgiving design.
Posts: 325
Joined: 11/29/2003 From: Rogue River,
OR, USA Status: offline
The question about the PST solenoid valve came up a couple of weeks ago, with a couple of different answers. Let me tell you, I have the manuals for the PST turbines, and agree that it is vague and confusing. The diagrams sort of show it one way, but I can point to a photo that contradicts it. Anyway, I decided to ask PST directly and got this answer:
"Brass nipple is gas IN and the Festo is for gas OUT."
I use an external canister on my R54, and connect to the solenoid with a Festo one-way valve (check valve). JetCat sells them specifically for this purpose, and for some reason they are tan and orange instead of the usual black. The one-way valve stays in the aircraft and serves not only as a filler, but a backup to the solenoid during operation. If the solenoid was to fail open for any reason, the one-way valve would keep hot turbine gasses from creeping back through the gas lines and into your model. Learned this "trick" a few years ago from Kelly W.
You can equip all your turbine models with the same type of one-way valve, and use a single external gas canister for all of them.
Posts: 557
Joined: 10/5/2002 From: Bonney Lake,
WA, USA Status: offline
WOW!!! Can't believe I have had it backwards all these years. I just looked at the colored schematics and put things together from their diagram. I never did see a photo so I will have to go back and look at the pictures. I just got used to using the swivel Festo to swing my fill tube out of the way after the engine was done using the propane and I disconnected the external source. As per Kelly's suggestion (from way back) I also use the one way Festo.
Posts: 177
Joined: 1/22/2006 From: Fort Valley,
GA, USA Status: offline
R54 pilots are welcome to the Mid-Georgia Jet Rally on Saturday and Sunday, 19/20 July. The host is Hodges Hobbies located near Americus, Georgia. For more details and directions go to: www.hodgeshobbies.com. The venue is a gorgeous 1700 X 400 foot smooth grass runway. There are no noise, frequency or turbine restrictions. This is an AMA sanctioned event and turbine waiver is required. BVM has donated some goodies to be given to some lucky participants and there will be a raffle for a Jersey Modeler Fuel System. A Low Country Boil dinner will be offered to those who wish to enjoy a delicious southern meal on Saturday night. Landing fee is $10. Come join us for a friendly weekend gathering in the heart of Georgia.
< Message edited by speedbrake -- 6/20/2008 1:41:07 AM >
Printable Version
All Forums >> RC Airplanes >> RC Jets >> RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit 
RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit - 
- another R54 with Roundels is a good thing 
, and... BEAUTIFUL JET 
