Hey Ray, I guess it will be spring time before she flies.

A bit off topic, but I finished futzing with the Reaper. It's balanced and ready to maiden. Family and other activities preclude any RC activity this week, so next week should be the maiden time. Here's a clip of taxi testing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tT4qCKW-Q3o&feature=c4-overview&list=UUuTBG728cLbiJ0y0sHe-nzQ

Kewl. If it doesn't fly well, you could use it to edge the grass/sidewalk.

Ray W.

Got the yellow strip painted this morning. Turned out pretty good I think the white pin strip will set it off.

Dan, Your bird is looking pretty slick... same plane as the one I have...will you be modifying the kit rudder to match the original? I will be doing that soon on mine when I get back to it after recovering.
Keep up the good work.
Eric

Did some painting today also. How was the wind over there. Blowin' to beat the band over here. Had to time the spray strokes with a lull in the wind.

Windy here in SC. Blew the water out of the feeder now the birds are PO'd.

Say Bob, did you realize that your Reaper is a RC model of a RC airplane?

Looks like fun and if only the ordinance worked.... well a capital F on Fun.

Ray W

"Say Bob, did you realize that your Reaper is a RC model of a RC airplane?"

Hadn't thought of that.

Bob,

Nice job on the Reaper. Ground handeling should be no problem. Looks like a powered glider with a bad attitude. I especially like the short sleeves,green grass and palm trees. It's been raining here in VA. for two days with temps close to freezing!!

Jim

Summer can be a bit stifling, but NYC winters is why I'm here.

Pretty windy here today to windy to fly good day to work on the fleet. Went out to 3 auto parts store and no one had 1/8 white tape guess I'll have to order from tower

Would anyone have a set of instructions for the 25% Fleet that I could purchase?
Thanks.
Richard

I have both the 1/6 and 1/4 scale fleet bipes but I did not build them. I got them in on trade and would very much like to sale both. On a scale of one to ten I would give them a 6 because they have never been finished.

Reference the nitro planes reaper:

I know this is a Fleet thread but I have to respond.....

Take lots of pictures. If that one flies (I use that term loosely) as good as my friends model you're in for a spectacular crash. I was elected the chief test pilot and I made it about 100 feet past take-off. The model was given to another member, repaired, and with his super human skills he actually made it one lap, crashing on landing. It was nothing like a glider and wanted to constantly snap and roll over.

You'll notice in most of the inflight photos there is a lot of aileron deflection opposite the roll, that is it snapping. One might think to use the rudder instead but it is somewhat ineffective.

The reaper is definitely not a Concept Fleet in flying characteristics.

The last photo is my favorite, it is actually still in flight... A moment from the best thing to happen to that plane (A sure death).

I do recall it taking off rather nicely, gently peeling off the ground, then all hell breaking loose.

I was armed with my camera for the second flight attempt knowing it would end poorly. The below photos show the action.

Good luck!

SunDevilPilot

It doesn't look too good, does it? I've seen a number of videos of this aircraft (Reaper) with varying results. I questioned the position of the CG on a couple of them and received no replies. Mine is balanced at 2-1/8 inches from the leading edge. One guy said he had it balanced at the leading edge. I also agree that the rudder is virtually useless, due to its size.

I had an engineer friend of mine check the CG position and he agreed with what I have. Wing loading is in the warbird territory at 26.5 and cube loading is 13.70. We'll see what happens. In the meantime I'm going to reduce the aileron throws.

SunDevilPilot, was any aileron differential dialed in? Do you know where the CG was at? Did you notice if there was any adverse yaw when you flew it?

I sent ya a PM to keep from straying too far off topic in this thread.

SunDevilPilot

Flew the Big Fleet over lake Erie and back again in 1978. It was heralded as the first 1/4 scale plane to do a lumchevak (spell ) Not sure that was true, but I flew it from the shores of Pa to Long Point Canada, re-fueled it and flew it back again. The only one that new in Canada was the light house keeper. We did contact him ahead of time. Of course couldn't do that today, be in trouble for it now. I flew it at meets for about 10 yrs, finally broke it, Still have it though and the Quadra 35 that powered it. Good Luck with yours.
Jack Graham

Hello all
Picked up a roll of white tape from LHS and got it put on the fuselage really looks good.
I also was looking at the dummy engine set up and the way the cowl was cut out for the carb there’s no way I can use a cylinder head in that area. This is a wood cowl and as you can see in the picture is ¾” short for the engine. So as I see it I can
1- use only 3 cylinder heads
2- try to add ¾” to the cowl then I could fill in and make it work
3- just leave it as is

I vote for #1.

#1 will pass my 60/60 test.

Ray W

I have the instruction book. I could scan and email you on Monday, I'm out of town today. PM me.


Dave

I decided to add to the cowl and fill in around the carb that will give me enough room for all cylinder heads.

I have to say, you've applied more than a couple of different coats of paint to that puppy.