BalsaBob

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Just about ready for its maiden flight ...... hopefully this weekend.

Bruce, thanks very much for putting out a great kit !

Bob

afterburner

My Feedback: (18)

Awesome scheme Bob. Kinda puts this whole hobby in perspective. Good luck with the Maiden.

Marty

BruceTharpe

My Feedback: (1)

Bob, that is TOO COOL! Gotta ask... do you have some connection to the network, other than watching?

My son just said "This guy's my hero!!!" Hmmm, never got a reaction like that from one of MY airplanes.

Nice engine install. The P-70 is a tight fit, but it will squeeze in there. P-80 is physically too big.

That brings me to Kevin's question a few posts back. Sorry friend, but there are no plans to kit a bigger version. And I don't normally sell the plans either. If you (or anybody else) have your heart set on scratch-building a bigger version, I may be able to help you out. Give me a call sometime if you want to talk it over. 541-582-1708

BalsaBob

My Feedback: (24)

Hi Bruce, No, no connection to the network ...... just still enjoy watching it occassionally. The P70 is a tight fit ..... but it fits fine. The notch in the boat tail helps bring it forward a bit.

I went with the P70 because (as you noted in the manual) ..... I happened to already have one (from a previous project that I terminated).

Should have more pics this weekend.

Thanks again for such a well designed kit. Bob

f6hlct

My Feedback: (4)

Ring up another Reaction 54 pilot. I did my maiden flight, and what a blast. I was flying from a grass field, and using half flaps for take off. I think that I would just leave them off as it was trying to fly after about 100’ run. Gear up, flaps up, and now to see how the trim and balance was. My spotter was asking for trim changes, but my reply was “you don’t need to touch a thing. It’s perfect�. I kept most of the flight on level maneuvers, but I had to throw in a half reverse Cuban 8 to check out the vertical. It seemed to be unlimited as I decided to limit the height at around 500’. Checking out half flaps for landing, I noticed that I had dialed in just a bit too much down elevator. On touch down, I had a slight bounce, and decided to do a go around. Second attempt used full flaps. Beautiful glide slope with no changes and a 3 point landing that just stuck to the ground.

My first impressions of the plane, is that it is very much like a 70’s pattern plane. The picture that I am including is 2 weeks ago at the Belleville jet rally. The plane was not quite ready to fly then. Unfortunately I do not have the pictures after the maiden flight, but the grin on my face is still the same.

Love it
Dave Penchuk

afterburner

My Feedback: (18)

Congrats Dave. Nice Scheme. Hope to join this club in the next month or so.

Marty

BruceTharpe

My Feedback: (1)

WooHoo! Way to go, Dave. I took a closer look at your pics and must say that is more than an excellent finish - it's gorgeous! So glad to hear the maiden went smoothly. Like you, others have commented on how the R54 reminds them of an old-school pattern ship. Still a lot of Summer left for lots more jet flying.

One question: what's that white streak on the vertical fin?

f6hlct

My Feedback: (4)

Thanks for the complements. Not sure which white stripe you are referring to. I have painted formation lights on the side and the tail. They look sort of white. The other that you may be referring to is the rudder. I can not take credit for the color scheme, as I saw this on one of Bob Violets planes. All control surfaces are painted white. I have included a picture from the rear that shows how it extends on the ailerons and flaps. Another note in the picture is my change to the rudder setup. I wanted a more direct connection for the control surface, so I made a tiller bar assembly in the fuselage. It eliminates the angle of the pushrod. It is rock solid.

Dave Penchuk

BruceTharpe

My Feedback: (1)

Must be the formation lights that I was looking at. There's a lot of detail in your finish - again, very impressive!

When you get a chance, maybe you take a close up pic of your rudder tiller bar and share. Others might want to hook up their rudder like that.

Mach1

My Feedback: (5)

Dave,

I also used the 'tiller' system on the rudder. Works great. I mounted my rudder and elevator servo's in the opening behind the main fuel tank.
This gives a straight shot to the surfaces. I used supported carbon fiber pushrods instead of the cables. This gave room to move the UAT to where
the servos are supposed to be. Also ended up with no weight in the nose to balance. Congrats on you flights. Bruce really designed a winner!

Warren Hunter

BalsaBob

My Feedback: (24)

Wondering if most people are using Aileron Differential in their Reaction 54's ? I thought I read a post (that I can no longer find) that said it was not needed or ineffective for this aircraft. Thanks. Bob

tschuy

My Feedback: (1)

If the jet was built and setup per plan the differential is already rigged for you. No need to use the computer radio to make the adjustments unless you're not happy with the roll or turn properties.


Cheers,

BalsaBob

My Feedback: (24)

Thanks Tim, Yes, I just found the throw values noted in the manual. Bob

bob1393

My Feedback: (10)

Had a little trouble today on starting the PST for the 4th flight - it would start on propane, then immediately shut down and go into "cooling" mode. Anybody have any ideas?

Molar mender

Bob

Sent you a PM.

Roy

f6hlct

My Feedback: (4)

Here is the picture of my tiller bar modification to the rudder. I think that the picture is worth a thousand words here, but when you actually see the setup, it looks very simple. I actually made a few until I was happy that it was slop free, and that I could assemble it after completion. The bent music wire fits into a brass tube to ensure a solid fit, and should not become sloppy from use. The tiller arm is standard nose wheel hardware, and a flat is filed into the wire to ensure that it is locked in place. The rudder post is captured on top of the basswood block. A slot in the side of the fuse at the tail makes for an invisible, and almost straight run for the wire. See my previous post for that picture.

I have no regrets after the fact, and it seems to work solid with no slop.

Dave Penchuk

BalsaBob

My Feedback: (24)

Performed the maiden flight on my R54 yesterday. What a great design ..... only a couple of clicks of trim needed. Was a bit high on the landing approach ...... and for a second considered going around ...... then I went to full flaps. Wow, did they do the trick ! Landed slower than many .60 size ships. Thanks again Bruce ! Bob

rcguy!

My Feedback: (69)

BalsaBob,
Welcome to the club! Congrats!

Dave Rigotti

BalsaBob

My Feedback: (24)

Thanks Dave. Bob

BruceTharpe

My Feedback: (1)

Way to go Bob! The Cartoon Network R54 is truly unique and I'm thrilled to hear it made a successful maiden!

Yep, you pretty much need full flaps when landing. Not for the lift, but for the drag.

When you get a few more flights under your belt, let us know what you think of the performance with the P-70.

booker-RCU

My Feedback: (43)

Hey Bruce - How about a smokin R-54. I put Tam's smoke system in mine and it turned out great. At first I was concerned about the new forward CG because on take off it would have an extra 24oz of smoke oil about 10" ahead of the CG. No worries!! I couldn't even tell it was there. Just a click or two of up elevator for level flight. I had a suction line connected to a Festo shut off valve and it was sucking air so I didn't get as much smoke as I would of liked. Also it was a gray day and it didn't of show up much anyway. The end result was a landing with the 24oz tank about 3/4 full. Again I thought I might need extra speed to compensate for the extra weight. No worries!! It landed normal. What a great design!!!
I put the smoke pump in the fuse. just aft of the CG. The battery is in the wing right on the CG. I'll get the air leak fixed and a smoken we will go!!.

Galen

rcguy!

My Feedback: (69)

Booker-RCU

"Love it!"

Dave

bob1393

My Feedback: (10)

Smoke looks great Galen. Can't wait to see it next Monday when we go flying.

Bob

Molar mender

Looks like I am going to have to give your smoke oil back to you. Looks like a great set up. Just finished flying at the Maple Flag Jet meet and will be back in town before the end of the month. I'll make sure I have more smoke oil for you.

Roy

TAILHOOK-RCU

My Feedback: (2)

Did not read all the posts, maybe this question was asked. Can you put a P80 on this without any problems as far as mounting goes.



Thanks