bobparks2

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Video on YouTube now. Needs some comments still, but will get those written later today.


Bob


[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVomB0A2OxY&hd=1[/youtube]

flyinfool1

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Lookin good.

BruceTharpe

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Very cool maiden flight, Bob! Kudos to your cameraman too! There was one thing I had to go back and see a second time - wanted to read the writing on your shirt. Was worth the effort

bobparks2

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Thanks! The cameraman is a real pro.. literally. Walter Colby. He is an Emmy award winning TV news cameraman. And he flies some very interesting RC airplanes, so he has the perfect combination of pro experience and airplane savvy to shoot good videos like that. Take a look at the rest of his YouTube channel, lots of good stuff there!

As for the shirt, that was my "excuse shirt". I let the inlets get a bit heavy. They are mostly some "not so lite" ply that I had on hand, that turned out to be quite a bit heavier than normal lite ply. I think the core layer is mahogany! And the inlets used almost 2 full 12x48" sheets of the ply.

So, the plane is a bit over 20 lbs dry. The cockpit added some weight, but is up front. And the engine is an 8 year old Wren 54 (made from a kit), so about 14 lbs thrust. So, if there was a problem, I could always blame it on lack of thrust! (for those who have not looked, the shirt says "with enough thrust, pigs fly just fine!" I also use the shirt for high power rocket launches!).

If I was to do it over again, I would do all but the engine mount area and the bulkheads out of 1/8" balsa, and probably save a pound.

Anyway, I wont say mine is over powered, but its certainly adequately powered. Now, I have to wait impatiently until I can go fly again next weekend...

Bob

TimWatson

That thing lands very slow indeed.

xxq111

Hello!
Are there any of you who has experience with electric landing gear?
Some suggestions to the supplier and manufacturer?
Trailinlink struts that do not cost big bucks?
Want to use kavana electromagnetic brakes and electric landing gear.

Regards
Sejenssen

TommyWatson

My Feedback: (1)

I have had lots of success with the EFlite electric gear. While I did not use them in my reactions (they were not available then), I am sure the 60-120 size would be perfect for the Reaction. They look about the same size as the robart gear that comes with the kit.

Regards

BruceTharpe

My Feedback: (1)

Svenn, I just looked at the specs for the E-flite 60-120 retracts, and Tommy is right. They look to be about the same size as the Robart package that I normally sell for the R54. E-flite seems to have very carefully avoided saying how much airplane weight they will support. If you make the assumption that a typical sport model for .60 to 1.20 size engine weighs 8-18 pounds, that's the same as the Robart rating. The wire struts in the E-flite mains are a little thicker than the Robart, the nose strut wire is a little thinner.

I can't officially recommend the E-flite retracts because I have never used them or tested them in the R54. Don't know of anybody who has. But they might be worth looking into.

PaulD

My Feedback: (39)

A buddy (Kev-0) put eflite retracts in his Nano. Has not flown it yet but they looked to me of very good quality and should be up to the task. If you use good wire legs to take some of the shock they should be fine. The only thing I have heard is they don't like to lift much weight at the wheel end.

PaulD

BILLYDSRC

HI Guys,
One thing on the eflight 60-120 retracts. I use a set on my Falcone 120 with a K-80 on her. They work great but the trunnions are very week I had a friend make me a new set of them that are bullet proof now I will be selling them real soon. I will post when there done. Thank you Billy D

bobparks2

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Robart is coming out with electric conversion kits for a lot of their pneumatic landing gear. They were saying that the electric versions would be out a few months ago, but I think its behind schedule. But they might be ready by the time you need gear.

[link=http://www.robart.com/robarts-new-electric-retracts]Robart Electric Retracts[/link]

The 630 series like the R54 uses is supposed to be the first ones out. This is a joint project with "Down and Locked"

Down and Locked also sells their own conversions.

BTW, Svenn, I emailed you the CAD files for the laser cut inlet parts.

Bob

Hanapi

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Hi Guys,
It almost took a year but I finally built my second Reaction 54 and got to fly it.
What an awesome bird.
many thanks Bruce,
JR
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlsKm...ature=youtu.be

JohnVH

My Feedback: (38)

holy slow landing, good one! So, how many people in a years time hit the wind generators there?

Hanapi

My Feedback: (3)

Oh a few actually hit them....makes a big hollow bang and stuff flying everywhere...lol

Mike06659

I'm pretty sure I had the second Reaction 54 to come of the line from Bruce. Not completely sure, I bought it used, but through a forum search I think I am. I had all the logs and invoices from 2004. I just sold it a year ago and what a mistake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I miss the old girl. Sure the old Ram 500 would kick and sputter but once lit what a great combination. I could only imagine what the old girl would do with today's modern turbines it was built like a tank.
Keep'em flying,
Mike

xxq111

Trailinlink struts , what are you using ?
Pro-links for Boomerang Nano I can use them, other suggestions?

Sejenssen

robson63pilot

Struts in the Reaction are very short. I adapted the behotec.

JustFlyIt

Hanapi

Great flight but wow...scary slow landing.

The wind turbines look really close to your field.

DRS

PaulD

My Feedback: (39)

I find it interesting that there's that much wind but the generators weren't turning....

PaulD

BruceTharpe

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My thought exactly! Hanapi told me the wind is almost always blowing like crazy there.

For those who may not remember, about a year ago Hanapi lost his first R54 on its maiden flight after getting rudder flutter. Remains a mystery how that happened, but I'm sure honored and flattered that he liked the plane well enough to start over and build another one.

Congrats my friend!

Hanapi

My Feedback: (3)

Thanks Guys.
I made another landing even slower than the one in the video.
The wind turbines were recently replaced by bigger one(in the video) and have not been put into production yet.
Remember when flying , it is the air speed that counts and not the ground speed.
We fly in around 12-15 knots every day. I can have a very low ground speed but stil enough air speed over the wings to have lots of lift.
Bruce, That first one was all my fault. I boched the build on the tail so it was weak. I ceratinly am glad that I did the second one.
This bird is amazing. The first full power flyby (kingTec K80) was allot faster than I had expected.
A bird that can get up way over 100Mph and slow down to a crawl is something to be admired.
Many thanks for designing one.
JR

robson63pilot

I'm a little worried ...
Hanapi ,flatter horizontal tail or rudder ?

Hanapi

My Feedback: (3)

Oh no, don't be worried.
It was not flutter.
I had made a mistake building the whole tail.....
So it came lose completely...really nothing to do with the kit it self. I did something really dumb. That's all.
Turning the fuselage over time after time, I had knocked the tail on the side of the table various times. On top of my stipidity building it this bumping on the table compromised the whoile tail.
Trust me, It was me who did something really dumb.

BruceTharpe

My Feedback: (1)

Sorry Jan, maybe you didn't want me to mention it... I think it's an interesting story that shows great appreciation for the design, and a tough lesson learned. No need to be worried about the R54 if built properly and handled with care. Hope your new one provides a LOT of jet flying and adrenaline :-)

Hanapi

My Feedback: (3)

no problem at all.
It is a lesson for sure.
If I mess up and learn from it , all the more value.
Exactly like you said,"if built properly" it is an amazing bird.
JR