bobparks2

My Feedback: (1)

Hmm.. mine is a bit the other way. With landing flap, it gets a bit sensitive in the flare and I have to be careful or it "pops up". I am sure that CG location is a big part of it. Mine is at the forward limit on the plans (but add on inlets cut the stability a bit compared to a stock R54). You can see it on the second landing in this video, about 4:35 in:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSuwpnshUYQ

Bob

SPLIT S

Today I finally got to maiden my Reaction. All I can say is wow, Bruce you came up with a winner with this one. One of the nicest flying planes out there. No weird tendencies, just an honest jet, goes where you want it, and what a blast to fly. I won't get the smile off my face for a few days!

Getting to this day for me has been a while coming. I had the kit for a couple of years, but didn't have the time to get to it. All the paint work I do and my mom being in the hospital at the time, there just wasn't anything left for me. A few of who have become my closest friends, led by ring leader Erik, took it upon themselves to get the jet built and ready to go for me. All I did was make it look pretty. Their names are on the bottom of the wing, to remind me of what really counts in life, let alone our chosen hobby. Erik, Bob, Nir, Alan, Dave, Billy, Berk and Jimmy, and all the rest of my friends at the Farview Flyers, thank you. It's great to be back burning kero again. And burn it I will....

Dan

BruceTharpe

My Feedback: (1)

What a great post, and what a great bunch of flying buddies! Hope that smile on your face continues for a long time. Add a pic of the wing bottom when you get a chance...

Oh, and congrats on the maiden!

JustFlyIt

A great story and a great looking plane. I sure understand the smile for the maiden flight. My flight was three months ago and I am still thrilled. The sound of the turbine combined with a great flying Reaction 54 is an awesome feeling!

DRS

SPLIT S

Bottom of wing.

Erik R

My Feedback: (32)

Danno,

You so deserve it.Does my heart good.

Those of you who don't know Dan,he is one of the nicest people I've ever met,and truly a Jedi when it comes to painting,and most anything.He did the amazing paint on my Firebird,and has become one of my closest friends.Watching him enjoy his Reaction without any distractions was truly one of the high points of the hobby for me.

Erik

BruceTharpe

My Feedback: (1)

Thanks for the pics, Dan. And thanks to Eric for for chiming in (the FB looks tremendous). Extremely classy all around!

brglazza

Hi Guys
I have just got my old Reaction 54 back it was powered with a Jet Cat P60
I have installed the new Jet Cat P100 and WOW what a change, as you would expect going from 13 lds static to 22 lbs static is going to make a difference
Yake off on wet grass was around 60 ft veticals were awsome.
Have shifted the turbine forward into the boat tail and put a bigger elevator servo in 28 kg.
Did not change the dubro tank as you dont use full power a lot.
But for take off verticals and the occasional high speed pass it is something.
I all ways slow her down to turn and the total weight is only 8 ozs extra.
Just LOL
Regards BRGLAZZA

BruceTharpe

My Feedback: (1)

First I've heard of to use the P100. Gotta admit, I've been thinking about trying this combo myself. Residual thrust at idle is a concern - have you had any trouble with landing?

Legnum

hi all,
have a Jet Cat 100RX in my Reaction 54, kit built. fly's great, no problem with landings, had to add 4 ozs lead in the nose for COG. its quick, haven,t run thru the radar yet. pics attached.
regards Grant nz

flyinfool1

My Feedback: (2)

I was thinking of putting a after burner ring into my reaction. How does it look in the air?

mr_matt

My Feedback: (10)

Grant I see you have prolink, can you tell me which part number struts you are using, and what diameter wheels? I guess I have the same question on the nose strut/gear.

Also, if it is not too much trouble, can you measure the unsprung distance from the bottom of the wing to the bottom the the tire (contact spot)?

Did you have to lengthen the nose strut to keep the same attitude on the gear?

Sorry for so many questions, but I am about to bite the bullet and go with trailing link gear on this plane, I have really had it with tubular struts. I would like to try behotec but I have had good luck with Prolink in the past.

Thanks in advance,

bobparks2

My Feedback: (1)

Sorta like this! This is the large Xicoy ring, I think its the 110mm one, with their controller. Works great, Realistic flicker as it comes on, but I have not noticed that part in the air. Its plenty bright enough and easily visible, and lots of people notice and comment on it.

Bob

afterburner

My Feedback: (18)

Do you fly off a rough field Matt?

Marty

Legnum

hi Matt,
prolinks came from Intairco, main wheels are 168mm from underside of wing to the bottom of the wheel. i altered the nose mount to fit, also cut 8 mm off the nose leg. gear works well on grass and seal. model sits 15mm higher than the plan shows.
cheers Grant nz Link to The ANZAC meeting at Tokoroa nz http://sengle.smugmug.com/photos/swf...lbumKey=b8MfBg

mr_matt

My Feedback: (10)

Thanks Gary I will run the numbers tonight.

Marty, my normal field is OK but we fly at another rough field periodically and the cracks just pound small diameter wheels and tubular struts. I flew a couple of different BobCats with prolink and got away with murder. I prefer the inline spring design of the behotec but I am not sure of the size to get. Prolinks I know.

I am just at the point of glassing the wing so if I need to modify for different gear, the time is now.

Gandalv

Need a copy of the building instructions.

I got back on building my R54, but discovered that I have lost my building instructions [:@] So now I am somewhat stuck

Is it to be found somewhere on the net?

Thanks

(edit, used wrong words)

Gandalv

Not long after I posted my request for a building instruction, I got the help that I needed

I recived a mail from Bruce and he took care of me.

Now, thats what I call excellent service!


Thanks

Regards

PaulD

My Feedback: (39)

For those of you who are putting larger turbines in their Reactions, I just purchased the new Dubro 60 & 80oz tanks:

http://shop.dubro.com/p/60-oz-fuel-tank-qty-1-pkg

The overall shape of the 60oz looks like it would fit the Reaction airframe and would give another 20% capacity. I don't have an airframe to check but when I did own one, I managed to squeeze a home brew tank in that was larger and it really made a difference with the Wren Super Sport I had in mine.

PaulD

bobparks2

My Feedback: (1)

Maybe not that much larger. The DuBro 50 is actually quite a bit larger than 50 oz. I measured it and posted the number here a long time ago, post 680 (from 2005!)

I measured the "50" oz tank at 60.8 fluid oz.

The JetTech kevlar tank, which is about as big as you can possibly fit (and still have some room for cables between tank and wing) is about 75 fl oz.

So, the new "60" may not be that much larger!

Bob

PaulD

My Feedback: (39)

Hmmmm. Makes u wonder where the logic comes from. I do have both tanks and the new 60 is bigger than the 50. Without measuring its hard to say exactly how much.

PaulD

bobparks2

My Feedback: (1)

You would at least HOPE the "60" was bigger than the "50"! I measured several of the DuBro large tanks back then, and some of them were reasonably close to the marked size, and some were larger.

Bob

Adrianhn

Hi all from a very cold UK.
does any one know where I can get a Reaction 54 kit if indeed they are still even available or does anyone have a plan of some sort I could perhaps scratch build one.
Any help or advise would be gratefully received.

Adrian

picard1

My Feedback: (2)

Send Bruce Tharpe a PM, He is the designer and manufacture of the Reaction54.

BruceTharpe

My Feedback: (1)

Adrianhn, sorry, I don't sell plans for the R54. The kit is out of stock right now, but I do plan to cut another batch eventually. It's fourth in line on the BTE priority list, so we're looking at several months at least. Feel free to email me directly if you have any more questions, or if you would like to be added to the R54 notify-when-ready email list.