Molar mender

I opened the box two weeks ago yesterday and have the air frame just about ready to cover. I built my AV8R 5 years ago and this is the only wood kit I have put together since that time. What a great kit. It goes together remarkably well if you follow the excellent instruction booklet. I still have the rudder groove to cut and the bottom wing fairing to contour and it is ready to put on the covering. The only mod that I did was extend the rudder 1.5" and use a pull/pull system instead of the steel push/pull cable. Now I get to take a break and let it sit on the building table while I make the trip to Woodland/Davis. Can't wait to get back and finish it off.

RH

KJ-66

My Feedback: (1)

Hi Guys

I`ve just started to assemble my R54 and I`m going to use the Robart type retracts. A slight mod must be made to the retrct mounts,to be able to fit these units. I didn`t shorten the oleo legs - I just re-positioned the wheel well in the wing.

Regards
Craig

KJ-66

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Hi Guys

Here are the pics of the retract units,which I will be using.

Regards
Craig

BruceTharpe

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David, your paint scheme is absolutely stunning! Beautiful, creative, awesome... What more can I say?

KJ-66, I'm confused by the little notches for the retract mounting tabs. What are the retracts going to bolt onto?

KJ-66

My Feedback: (1)

Hello Bruce

The reason for the notches in the mounting plate and doublers,is to alow for the retract unit to "go in deeper". There is still a 5/16" plywood plate,with a 4mm blind nut in it,that will be epoxied to the top of the doubler. Then I`ll add a 90 Degree plywood gusset to it,which will support it to the F6 wing rib. Sorry for confusing you and I`ll add the pictures of the mounting,when it is completed. The reason why I had to alow the retract unit to go in deeper,was because the air cylider was obstructing the lower mounting plate,under the doublers. Now it just clears it enough.

Regards
Craig

KJ-66

My Feedback: (1)

Hi Guys

Here is the mounting support plate for the blind nuts or self-tapping screws. The gusset adds extra support between it and the F6 wing rib. The front side of the support,has a small undercut in it,so that it could be glued to the lower main spar. The spar was slightly higher than the plywood plate.

Regards
Craig

Eddie P

My Feedback: (4)

AWESOME

tahfiet

Hi Bruce and Eddie!

Thanks for the kind words. Good to hear that someone likes it . Ah yes, my dad likes the colour-scheme, too. Clear-coat is on, now we are waiting for it to dry and tomorrow we can just start to put everything back in the plane. Hopefully it will fly on saturday or sunday.

BR;

David

KJ-66

My Feedback: (1)

Hi Guys

Here is the completed retract mounting.

Regards
Craig

Square Nozzle

My Feedback: (1)

Here's my dilemma. I stuffed my P70 into the R54 after I put some F5 style intakes on. There is enough room for the P70 between the duct side walls but I now have concern about changing the glow plug when it burns out. My JetCat manual says that the plug should be positioned anywhere above the horizontal center line, preferably no more that 75 degrees either side of the vertical center line. I can do that but it means pulling the engine to get to the plug. Not a big problem but a real PITA. I'll leave extra plumbing and wiring so I can remove the mount strap and move the engine rearward and out. I'm thinking maybe I can get away with the plug placement about 10 degrees below the horizontal. Then I have full access for plug replacement without the need to pull the engine. What is the magic about keeping the plug above the horizontal?

TommyWatson

My Feedback: (1)

I think it has to do with where the gas flows to while starting. It may not get down in the lower half of the CC and thus will not get near the plug.
Try to start the engine with the plug where you want it. If it starts Ok then leave it here. Just my guess.

Regards

causeitflies

Like Tommy says, try it.
The plug on my P60 is at the 4:30 position and it starts fine.

Ron Stahl

My Feedback: (12)

I was one of the first guys to put a P-70 in a R-54; my plug is a 7:00 and starts just fine almost everytime unless its really hot out.

tahfiet

Hi John!

Don't worry to much about the plug-position. In the Facet we had the plug on the P-60 exactly on 6:00. No problem with that. The only "problem" you have: If the turbine is flooded with kero, it won't ignite. Nothing wrong with that, no hot-start though.

I've got a few more pics from my dad's Reaction. After painting it last weekend I had the honour to do the first flight with paint on it. Wow, I am really happy with my paint-schem on the Raction. It is worth the hours of glassing, prining, sanding and painting, which was mainly my job.

we have the C/G at the rear end, to keep the amount of lead to a minimum. That makes the Reaction a real floater and full flaps doesn't really slow it down. We had some probs getting it down on our short field. This week-end we tried crow-braking and all I can say is wow! With maximum flaps we have approximately 8mm aileron up. It really helps to produce drag and slow the Reation down. Steep finals are no prblems with that programming.

BR,

David Büsken

tahfiet

Ah well,,

did I say we flew it? You're right, here we go:


David

Eddie P

My Feedback: (4)

WOW. Your paint job looks even better in the air. It really has excellent presence, displays the R54 lines beautifully and also as a nice artistic flair. Great work, again.

With the aft C of G, do you notice any pitch stability differences at lower speeds, such as the landing flair? Where are your fuel tank locations?

I feel the R54 flys absolutely beautifully in all corners of the envelope. I have my CG toward the forward edge. Everyone has their ideal stability and control feel. I guess that's why Bruce gavce us a range, right?

causeitflies

I don't usually go for flames, but that scheme is sweet!

TommyWatson

My Feedback: (1)

come over here to Australia and paint my next model. Wow what a great job

KJ-66

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Hi Guys

Thats a very nice colour scheme and congratulations on your maiden flight. I`ve just started sheeting the wing panel on my model.

Regards
Craig

tahfiet

Hi Tommy!

I will be in OZ from 6th november visiting Dave urns and all the other jet-guys. I will be attending the Wangaratta Jet-event like I did the last 5 years. Are you going to Wang again?

BR,

David

TommyWatson

My Feedback: (1)

G'Day mate,

No Probably not, I am working a lot lately and it is a bit if a drive for me from sydney. Have a great time there and I hope the weather is as good as last time.

Regards

Square Nozzle

My Feedback: (1)

I got the straight poop from JetCat on the plug location for an installed engine. Apparently it has to do with plug life. No immediate impact on starting or performance. With the plug in the lower quadrant, it tends to get contaminated with fuel deposits during the cool down cycle. After numerous run cycles enough crude builds on the coil to affect starting. Not a frequent occurance but after numerous runs you will encounter starting problems. The first thing to look for is a contaminated glow plug. Seems to me to be a minor issue compared to having to pull the engine to change a plug if it's located near the top of the engine.

KJ-66

My Feedback: (1)

Hi Guys

Here is the retract Robart retract unit in position,before the bottom wing sheeting is applied.

Regards
Craig

TommyWatson

My Feedback: (1)

They look like BVM Retracts to me.
I had a set just like them for a Bobcat.

Redline7000

My Feedback: (2)

I've misplaced my wing plans, I'm setting up my control surfaces and I need some assistance. What size control horns go on the flaps, ailerons? Thanks in advance.