wjc and MTK - isn't the weight a by-product of the type of plane? I'd expect a 3D plane like and Extra 300 to be lighter. This isn't a 3D plane. We also have the other two Revolvers to judge from, and I'd say they're both good weights for their size and what they are. btw - are these foam-core wings? Can't see that on the TH site. Wonder if that adds a little weight (though I do prefer foam-core).

These types of sport aerobatic models arethe samein terms of intended use. I am not interested in 3D flying but am in sport aerobatcs, the intent of this model. 20# for a 1300 square inch wing is a heavy loading, more akin to a scale model than a sport aerobatic model. A larger wing area might be better all around......But that's just my opinion...YMMV!!

Nevertheless, my DLE55 on pipe puts out about 35 lbs of thrust so it shouldn't have any problem hauling this crate around even at 20#

I'm such a sucker for shinny new planes. Ordered mine this morning so it should be here tomorrow. Now just have to wait for Tower to get the DLE 55 RA in stock

Spridal - like your sense of urgency. Have you decided on servos and a muffler?

can you spell c-h-e-i-f? in stock

wjc - I believe you meant "c-h-i-e-f". btw the price is the same, but without the TH super saver discount. So...

I can. It's C-H-I-E-F.

I think Valley View has the 55 rear exhaust in stock.

Hey Guys;
Troy Built has the DLE 55RA in-stock!! See the link below!!
http://www.troybuiltmodels.com/items/DLE55RENGINE.html

Sonny
aka
jet22b

Hi Ya Sonny,

If you can wait 'til the RA is in stock, Tower members can use a $50 off coupon plus free shipping. If you are a Tower Gold Member I believe it's either $60 or $70 off.

Joe M.

Also Guys;
I was down at my local hobby shop today and was talking to the owner[ who is also a member of my club], and we talk about the R90 and he told me he can order one for me from Tower Hobbies, but he would have to charge me full price plus 8.7% Washington State sale tax. So I came home and ran the numbers, I would save a little over $12.00 if I order from Tower Hobbies using the discount and paying the $85.00 fee for shipping!! I would love to go with the DLE 55RA engine, but, if the db is above 95, I can not fly it at my club field!! Can not wait to see the build thread!!! I am still shock that Great Plane made this happen!!!
Sonny
aka
jet22b

Hi Joe M.
Tower has upgrade me to Gold Member and that is why I will order the RA from them!! Someone has a video on youtube running the DLE 55RA and it was loud with the stock muffler. But they did not show the db level of the engine at full power.. I just have to wait till Tower have them in-stock and run the db test on the stand as I break her in and hope the db's are below my club max of 95!!!
Sonny
aka
jet22b

Guys - sorry about my misspelling; chief; people call me edwin newman because i obsess over misspellings [&o]

I fully unpacked the R90 tonight; i have not started the build, so i did not start a build thread, but i thought i would post some pics and observations.

The wings should have good visibility, top from bottom.
Airfoil is semisymmetrical like the R90, and appear to be foam core.
Ailerons are attached with 5 hinge points. For that much surface, had i been hinging, I would have used 7 (two at each end, and three across the rest of the surface), but i don't feel strongly enough about it to rehinge them.

Hstab and elevators look similar to the wings.
There is no balance tab for the elevators.
The elevator servos mount to plywood aft. There is enough plywood that if one wants to make the elevator servos vertically symmetrical, it could be done. I have not checked for horizontal clearance (do the servos meet in the middle), so it might not be possible.

Rudder will hinge into the vstab with 5 large points; probably ok.

There is a ~1/2" tube extending from the radio deck to the tail feathers into which one can run the elevator servo cables; nice touch, perhaps some weight.
There are two small tubes through which the pull-pull cables run for the rudder; again a nice touch.

The gas tank is huge - probably 32oz, or maybe 1 liter. Has to be good for 15+ min of run time.

Spinner is large also - 5" diameter, looks a bit like a P51 spinner.

Firewall is heavy (~1/2" thick) laminated stock, keyed into holes in the sides of the engine box; very secure. Upper and lower surfaces are keyed but no into a box; that joint probably will get some fiberglass reinforcing from me.

The cockpit has an instrument panel.

As i said before, i think the plane presents far better in person than it appears in the website photos.

Couple more pics

The electronics deck and fuel deck are pretty open, but made of good plywood with lightening holes; plenty of places for attachments, etc
Spar tubes are carbon fiber.

The plane is big - perceptibly bigger than many 50cc aerobats - which may account for some of the weight. The aft of this plane has a lot of plywood, so there is servo mounting flexibilty, but again, some weight. I did not probe around the tail gear mounting area, which was soft balsa on the R70.

wjc - thanks for the pics - looks cool (like that instrument panel, too). That firewall looks pretty thick - is it 1/2 inch?


btw - how does it feel to be the Felix Baumgartner of the Rev 90 generation?

Hi Mike
I think the f/w is about 1/2"; did not measure it, but thats about right.
I'm no Felix; his feat required courage, mine only a quick index finger on the mouse.

Yes thanks for the pics from myself included. Oh, and I loved the customary "toe" shot too.

Forgot to mention the carbon fiber tubes
I just saw that the pic of the fuel and electronics decks is blurred - the toe shot.
I'll have to try to get a better pic, in focus. But you get the idea, i think.

i had a few 7955HV laying around so I will use those. As for the muffler, I plan to use the stock muffler that comes with the DLE RA and maybe a set of silencers from TBM. I just can't pass up the 70.00 savings from Tower so I won't be ready to maiden until a few weeks. My original thought was to run an entire HV lipo setup but decided to go with A123s this time.
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There's a few places that have them in stock. However, I would prefer te 60-70 discount from Tower<hr />
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Firewall looks very nice. Only a few light mods there needed at all. Now I am drooling....yet, I do want a flight report from folks we know as soon as one is available. Spending another 600+ in a plane right now when I have plenty of planes to fly...tough call

Luchnia - same here. As much as I want this plane it just ain't in the RC budget right now. Time for a second job...

Spridal
I am planning to use 7954SH - same specs as the 7955 but steel vs titanium gears. I have good experience with them in my 30% Extra. LiFe power (3200x2) for receiver, NiMH for ignition. Optical kill. Futaba 617. Miracle switches. Parts are here; i just have to make time from my day job for the labor. Luchnia - life is all about options, right

I have around 12 7955tg servos and it seems the elevators are jittering when I attach my Digital throw meter....
I have lost all confidence in these servos.... Futaba from now one....
I am worried I will loose my Ef 78" extra and 1/3 cap from them....

Let me know how they turn out...

He looks at all the possible issues a company has, and goes after it....
Most anyone that has half his intelligence, could simply ask for there 10$ back from a membership
If they feel it doesn’t meet there expectations.. He would also figure the OVERSIZE shipping charge
Applies to large planes fairly quickly…
He doesn’t have a argument to get his planes shipped free… only that he could have his 10$ back!>…

Someone that puts that much energy into doing so, is a time when companies can use discretion, and tell him that it is better to take his business elsewhere....
I hope that they do....

He is a mole and I have to place a block on his posts.... it has nothing to do with this forum topic.

wj;
Thanks for the pictures. They are a big help!!! I see a few areas I would beef up but that just me. Can not wait to get my R90 and start the build. She will not fly untill next year. Old man winter is on its way, so this will give me something to do. If you go with the DLE 55RA, please let us know if you have to do any mod on the engine box!! Thanks!!!
Sonny
aka
jet22b