Reaction 54 Jet Kit
 

Bruce Tharpe has finally gotten the kits done and is ready to ship. If you dont know what this is, see it at www.btemodels.com. I have no affiliation with BTE. It is a good looking plane, and maybe some of you guys might like it.

RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
 

I'm buying the 2nd kit off the production. Bruce is getting the 1st!

Of all the wood jet kits out there I like the looks of this one the best. And BTE's kits are all outstanding. Should be a lot of inexpensive fun! I'm really looking forward to the build and the flying.

RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
 

Tony,

I think the Reaction looks to be the perfect "club" plane, being able to fly everyday and mix in with sunday traffic at your local club! I second the looks opinion! It's huge to boot.

RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
 

I also have one on order, and hopefully it will ship this Wed.
Should fly out of our grass field easier than my other jets.
Ron

RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
 

i'm anxiously waiting to receive my kit too......i'll be off of work during the xmas holidays so i'll have plenty of extra time to work on it.....

RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
 

I am getting the first Reaction 54 in Australia. Can't wait!!!.

Regards

RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
 

I ordered one last week. Bruce is planning to ship starting this coming week. If it flies like his other designs it will be an excellent aircraft.

RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
 

I have seen the Reaction 54 Jet fly a half a dozen times at least at two jet meets this last year during his flight testing. It will really scoot when you pour the coals to it and then it will slow down to a fast walk when landing. It's presence in the air is really majestic. Several of us in the NW kept trying to talk Bruce into getting the kit out sooner because it is such a great all around airframe, easy to build, easy to fly. But Bruce is meticulous and wanted to get it right, like all the other successful kits that he has done. What's nice about the Reaction 54 is as a beginner pilot, it can be your first jet, or as a veteran jet pilot, a great flying sport jet.
I have a couple of other projects that I have to finish involving the 12 - 15 lbs turbine size, then I will probably get one myself.

Roy

RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
 

I really like the look of it and can't wait to get one.

RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
 

Bruce was easy to place my order with today. Looking forward to having a plane that can be flown without worrying about hitting the short runway at my club field. We only have a 300' paved runway at the one field I fly at and 150' paved at the other so flying any of my other turbine planes there is tough on the pilot to get it on the runway every time. I have flown my Bobcat XL at both fields and with the lower landing speed this one should have it will be a pleasure to fly during the week after work instead of the 2 hour round trip to fly the Bobcat when I can.

RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
 

Bruce definitely makes some nice stuff. I saw the prototype a couple of seasons ago with a RAM 500. Very nicely engineered and looks even better in real time! Bruce is also a master with monocoat. It was perfect[sm=surprised.gif] The worktable is cleared and the glue ready to do its thing. I hope to have mine in static at the Puyallup show.

Hmmm maybe even get a flight in before then - gotta blow the snow off the runway first though:D


Dean Wichmann
www.helijet.ca

RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
 

Wonder how it would handle a P80..

RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
 

Interesting .... the web page shows that the model uses "Kavan electro-magnetic brakes" ! Anyone ever heard of, or seen, these brakes ? It's always neat to see some completely new approach. I wonder how much power they use, how effective they are, etc.

RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
 

Those brakes have been around for a few years now. I thought I remember them not holding at 0 speed. They only worked to slow down the wheel.

RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
 

I have used the Kavan magnetic brake. Works well but a little bulky and a bit heavy. It would be great if someone were to refine the design. I use it on the nose wheel.

RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
 

How much is the R54 going for. I could find pricing on the BTE website.

Thanks,

MACE

RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
 

Scross down the page..

http://www.btemodels.com./intheworks.html

RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
 

Tony? This is Dave Rigotti. I just ordered a Reaction54 on Monday the 6th.. Not sure which turbine to install. Gonna fly off grass here in Northeast Ohio. Hope all is well? AOK here!

Dave Rigotti

RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
 

Bruce has confirmed that kits did ship on Thursday the 9th. Time to clean off the workbench! Can't wait to get started!

Dave Rigotti

RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
 

Yup! Mine is due to arrive on Tuesday:D Hopefully will have it ready for Florida Jets!

Dean Wichmann
www.helijet.ca

RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
 

Just got email from Bruce. Mine is on the way!!!

Regards

RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
 

Just to clarify on the Kavan brake - it really does work. I was sold on this style of brake by watching Hal Parenti use them successfully on his scale models for years. He made his own! I also like it because it's cheap (compared to air systems) and it puts the weight where I want it - in the nose. Keep in mind that the R54 is a lightly-loaded aircraft that really doesn't need any brakes, so the Kavan is there to satisfy the AMA requirement. Biggest drawback so far is availability, but I'm working on that. Actually, I'd love to see an American-made competitor come to market.

Happy to answer questions here about the R54, but you gotta ask first according to RCU policy

Bruce Tharpe - BTE

RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
 

Thanks Bruce!

Dave Rigotti

RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
 

Bruce, a P80 too big?

RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
 

Yeah, John, I'm afraid so. I know it can be de-rated, but there are issues beyond max power. It cannot physically fit in the space between the tail boom and the top of the wing. It could be moved aft, but then you are moving an extra-heavy turbine even further behind the CG, which translates into massive nose weight - kind of a vicious circle. It's truly designed for the 54 class of turbines - that's why I specifically put the number 54 in the name.

That said, the P70 is an "in between" turbine that can be made to work in the R54. The P-60, which is due out very soon, is particularly interesting because it's actually a little smaller and lighter than the typical 54-size turbine and still puts out 13.5 lbs of thrust. Sounds like a match made in Heaven!

Bruce Tharpe - BTE