TommyWatson

My Feedback: (1)

G'DayMarty,

I found the wing takes the longest. The fuse goes together in an evening. then you really make some balsa dust.

I have big checks on the bottom of the wing so my tired old eyes can see which way is up!!.

Enjoy the building process, it is all part of the R54 experience.

Since I have had mine I havn't flown anything with a propeller. I have had 40 flights on the first one and just two on the second.



Regards

afterburner

My Feedback: (18)

Yes Tommy,
The wing definetely took a while. It seems that at this point, there really isn't much wood left in the box so like you aid the fuse should be quick. The R54 building experience is enjoyable as everything is fairly straight forward and the parts fit is excellent. Bruce certainly puts together a great package.

As for visibility, I'm definetely going for the high side. My last kit was a Great Planes Patriot prop jet and I did a grey F-14 Jolly Rogers scheme. Whenever it's heading away from me at a 45 degree angle, I hear people in the pits say things like where is it? I lost it. And I'm thinking to myself, "Yeah, I lost it too"! Definetely gets the heart skipping a few extra beats.


Marty

hoppy99

My Feedback: (2)

Tommy,
Maybe I missed it, But I haven't seen a flight report on Super Sport powered, glass covered #2.

John

TommyWatson

My Feedback: (1)

G'Day John,

Well I have only had two flights so far on the #2 Reaction. Flew just like the first one. The first flight was for the inspector and I had a flameout just two minutes into the flight. The good old R54 landed perfectly as I expected. It seems I had two seconds of failsafe and the throttle went to zero.
The second flight was perfect except the wheels would not retract (coupler had not been locked properly, Operator error.)
In my limited experience it seems to have lots more power and enhanced vertical performance even though it is 1 1/2 pounds heavier.
Landed perfectly, infact I think it "settles" better due to the increased weight. Does not seem to float as much, still lands very slow.
I hope to get to the field next weekend and give it the business to see how it really goes.
I will let you know. I have just taken the brakes off the main wheels and refitted the nose wheel brake. I do all of my flying from grass and just dont see the need for powereful brakes.

Regards

mr_matt

My Feedback: (10)

Sorry if I missed this originally, but the question stands.

Thanks in advance,

u2fast

My Feedback: (37)

hello matt, my 54 has not flown yet as i am finishing her up. covering the ailerons and flaps now. then the piddle stuff will began. i hope to get her airborn around the end of this month. barry

warbird_1

My Feedback: (61)

does it come with the flat bed trailer option? lol nice job

TommyWatson

My Feedback: (1)

G'Day John,
I just got back from the field after flying Reaction #2. WOW, This was the third and fourth flights and it is really starting to show its potential. It will climb vertical from a less than half throttle pass and go as high as my tired old eyes can see. Takes off in about 100 ft and lands just as good at the first one. On the second flight the wheels would not come down so I landed with half flaps and just as it was about to touch the grass, I pulled up the flaps. Not a scratch on the model. Just bent the tank breather a little. I don't know how fast but it is faster than #1. The vertical performance is spectacular. The Wren supersport throttle up speed is excelent. You can fly it almost like a glow powered model.

I had to leave early today, so next weekend I will really see what it can do.

Regards

hoppy99

My Feedback: (2)

Tommy,
Happy to hear # 2 is alive and well. How is the fuel consumption compared to the Mk lll. I am still waiting for my new engine. My supplier says it is on it's way. The Reaction is all done except for a bit of covering after the engine install. Yep, went with the Monokote. It was more trouble than glassing and painting !! I'm still flying my facet (glassed and painted) with the Mk ll. It sure runs great. Can't wait to get the Reaction in the air.

John

TommyWatson

My Feedback: (1)

G'Day John,

I havn't done any real tests, but my gut feeling is that I used less fuel with the SS because you spend less time at full throttle. I set a timer to 8 minutes and land with about 1/4 fuel in the main tank. I am sure I could get ten minutes of conservatibe flying. But then who wants to fly like that!!.
I can't get over the throttle lag (or lack of it) of the Wren SS. I can fly past at <half throttle and then throttle up in half the length of the strip and go vertical as far as I can see. It realy is a SUPER Sport.



Regards

Wayne22

My Feedback: (2)

one would hope that is a long, long ways up....!

TommyWatson

My Feedback: (1)

High enough that I was uncomfortable with letting it go any higher. Higher and with more authority than my 50cc gas powered Extra, and it was not noticably slowing down. Perhaps some of you young guys can see further but I can't!!.

Regards

GoeKeli

My Feedback: (18)

What is the weight of the wren SS? Did you have trouble balancing the R54?

JOe

TommyWatson

My Feedback: (1)

The Wren SS weighs the same as the the Mk3. I moved the engine foreward as little as I had done on the first R54. I did have to use some lead (about 8 Oz) in the nose to get the ballance right. This was due I am sure to the extra paint and resin on the #2 R54. This one weighs just over 20 pounds with a full UAT. I also moved the pump and UAT to in front of the wing.

With my limited experinece with the second R54 i really can't tell any difference with the way it flies except it seems a little easier to land as it doesnt seem to "float" as much. The real difference is the extra power and faster throttle response of the SS. Full throttle has a really different sound, sort of a "scream" it really lets you know it is at full throttle.
I hope to get a lot more stick time this week.

Regards

samo

I found a good way to add extra nose weight - Nav. strobe lights (inserted in the LE of the wing), which attach to a 6.0v (extra) receiver battery placed in the nose. I have a P-60 and with this extra battery, the ECU battery and an 1800mAH receiver battery, the CG is about right on.

I'm almost done. I've only ever built one plane before, but I found this to be straight forward. The instructions were awesome and the kit was superb. Bruce has been helpful on a few phone calls as well. I can't wait to fly it.

Does anyone know where I can go to have a little help w/ the AMA waiver and the first flight? I live in Boise and there are 0 jet enthusiasts. I'd be willing to travel.
Thanks,

Steve Morris

booker-RCU

My Feedback: (43)

Here's a link to the Idaho Jet Rally that was held this summer in the Boise area. Rod Springer is the main gun (RCS1313). Just go to the thread and you will find several jet guys in the area.
Galen

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_28...tm.htm#2887881

Molar mender

Steve

Al Culver lives in Wilder (East of Caldwell/Parma area) and is an AMA designated CD for turbine sign off. If you go to the AMA site at http://www.modelaircraft.org/acrobat.asp and click on document 510-K it will give you his contact info. There are only 4 individuals that have waivers that live in Idaho. If you need any help, let me know.

Roy

rcpete347

My Feedback: (251)

HI all, well after a weekend of covering, I"m all covered out, I'll finish it next weekend, here are some pics of my grass flield Reaction 54 with homemade air intakes.
Rcpete

rcpete347

My Feedback: (251)

HI, some more pics at 62 kb, seems you get a better pic at 62kb ,rather than 625 kb.
Rcpete

Wayne22

My Feedback: (2)

looks real nice! ...aren't you afraid that it will blend in with the scenery and you might lose sight of it ?

TommyWatson

My Feedback: (1)

Looks great, Let us know how it goes with the side air intakes.

Regards

samo

I'm finished!! Thanks Dave for your posts and pics. They were very helpful to this "novice" jet builder. I'm still looking for someone to help me start it up so I don't set the city on fire, heh heh.

Redline7000

My Feedback: (2)

The wingtips on the R54 are a huge chunk of balsa which have to be shaped. What's the correct shape?

a. >
b. )

Thanks.

bobparks2

My Feedback: (1)

Whichever tip shape you feel like making! It is not critical.

There has always been incessant discussion about the best tip shapes. Well, if it made a significant difference, the best shape would be obvious, and people would stop arguing about it! ;-)

Bob

BruceTharpe

My Feedback: (1)

Bob makes a very good point. I've always tried to use wingtips that suit the personality of the design, as opposed to looking for the most aerodynamically efficient. On the R54, I went with rounded wingtips (b), but you can sharpen the edge (a) if that's what pleases your eye. Obviously, the important thing is to make them match, left to right.

Rcpete, another R54 graphic is on its way to you for the other side of the fin. Looks good! Where's the hatch?