Great Planes Reactor 160?
08-27-2008, 09:17 PM
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RE: Great Planes Reactor 120-160?
Very cool! I just looked at the GP website and it is a beautiful plane. I love my .46 size Reactor. Best flying plane I have ever owned. There are some issues I hope they fixed though, mainly the landing gear and the covering issues. I looked at the manual and the gear are still swept back but at least they are striaght this time. I have no idea what the big deal is about sweeping the gear back. Either way this will be a big beautiful plane and I am happy to see GP coninuing to add to the Reacto Line.
08-30-2008, 09:32 AM
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RE: Great Planes Reactor 120-160?
Incredible wing area! 1556 squares! WOW!!
If it comes in at 17 lbs, WL is 25, okay but not great,
if it comes in at 16 lbs, WL = 23 much better, which is about where my GP Ultimate Bipe is with a DA-50 on it.
If you do the Wing Volume Loading (WVL) thing it is in 7 range fir both, which is really good.
So which engine? If you go 50cc do you end up at 17 lbs?
If you go with a MOKI 2.10 maybe you come in at 16 lbs. Not familiar with MOKI's, would a MOKI 2.1 be able to hover a 16 lber?
If it comes in at 17 lbs, WL is 25, okay but not great,
if it comes in at 16 lbs, WL = 23 much better, which is about where my GP Ultimate Bipe is with a DA-50 on it.
If you do the Wing Volume Loading (WVL) thing it is in 7 range fir both, which is really good.
So which engine? If you go 50cc do you end up at 17 lbs?
If you go with a MOKI 2.10 maybe you come in at 16 lbs. Not familiar with MOKI's, would a MOKI 2.1 be able to hover a 16 lber?
08-30-2008, 01:06 PM
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RE: Great Planes Reactor 120-160?
I bet that its not too far behind in development, especially considering that the Hyde Bipe isn,t availabble anymore.
2 x 78-82" wings one on top of the other would be simply awesome.
2 x 78-82" wings one on top of the other would be simply awesome.
08-31-2008, 04:25 PM
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RE: Great Planes Reactor 120-160?
Oh Baby!!! I've got my eye on this plane. The Performance series from Great Planes are very nice airplanes. This looks like a leader in the 50cc class to me. And it's not overpriced! I'm gonna get one of these babies. I love the wing loading, the DA50 engine, the weight (16lbs) and the fact that I think it would fly a bit like my favorite airplane of all time, the UCD. Who knows...maybe it'll KE better and be the perfect plane. I can't weight to see one of these. The website says late September and I believe Tower Hobbies is the most accurate with their predictions. It'll probably be available then. I'm ordering mine now so I'm at the top of the list. This should be a winner.Thanks
Barry
08-31-2008, 10:23 PM
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RE: Great Planes Reactor 120-160?
ORIGINAL: Barry Cazier
Oh Baby!!! I've got my eye on this plane. The Performance series from Great Planes are very nice airplanes. This looks like a leader in the 50cc class to me. And it's not overpriced! I'm gonna get one of these babies. I love the wing loading, the DA50 engine, the weight (16lbs) and the fact that I think it would fly a bit like my favorite airplane of all time, the UCD. Who knows...maybe it'll KE better and be the perfect plane. I can't weight to see one of these. The website says late September and I believe Tower Hobbies is the most accurate with their predictions. It'll probably be available then. I'm ordering mine now so I'm at the top of the list. This should be a winner.
Thanks
Barry
Oh Baby!!! I've got my eye on this plane. The Performance series from Great Planes are very nice airplanes. This looks like a leader in the 50cc class to me. And it's not overpriced! I'm gonna get one of these babies. I love the wing loading, the DA50 engine, the weight (16lbs) and the fact that I think it would fly a bit like my favorite airplane of all time, the UCD. Who knows...maybe it'll KE better and be the perfect plane. I can't weight to see one of these. The website says late September and I believe Tower Hobbies is the most accurate with their predictions. It'll probably be available then. I'm ordering mine now so I'm at the top of the list. This should be a winner.Thanks
Barry
The add actually states that it is a 1.60 glow and 43cc gas.
09-01-2008, 01:11 AM
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RE: Great Planes Reactor 120-160?
In the manual it states that it is designed around the DA50 and that is the expected engine of use. It comes with a DA50 pattern for drilling of the firewall. It even gives the weight with a DA50 of 16lbs. No question this plane is a full sized 50cc plane. It has more wing area than any plane I've seen in this class.
Looking good to me.
Thanks
Barry
09-01-2008, 01:20 AM
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RE: Great Planes Reactor 120-160?
Here's a link to the Great Planes website showing the installation of the DA50 on the Reactor. A lot more info on Tower Hobbies website including the manual.Thanks
Barry
http://www.greatplanes.com/performan.../gpma1420.html
09-02-2008, 12:38 PM
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RE: Great Planes Reactor 120-160?
Despite the tail being glued in, which makes it tough for me to fit in my apartment, I'm still interested in this plane.
I did notice that it is called a "sport aerobat", it doesn't say anything about 3D. If it flies like a large version of the .46 size, Iknow it will be a very capable 3D monster. Hopefully they didn't tone it down in any way to make it more of a fun fly aircraft.
Since I would be building this for electric, I checked out the recommended setup. The Great Planes motor that is recommended doesn't appear to be available yet. The recommended ESC is very pricey, around $450. Hopefully there is something suitable that is less expensive than this.
I did notice that it is called a "sport aerobat", it doesn't say anything about 3D. If it flies like a large version of the .46 size, Iknow it will be a very capable 3D monster. Hopefully they didn't tone it down in any way to make it more of a fun fly aircraft.
Since I would be building this for electric, I checked out the recommended setup. The Great Planes motor that is recommended doesn't appear to be available yet. The recommended ESC is very pricey, around $450. Hopefully there is something suitable that is less expensive than this.
09-02-2008, 01:12 PM
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RE: Great Planes Reactor 120-160?
ORIGINAL: malcolmm
Despite the tail being glued in, which makes it tough for me to fit in my apartment, I'm still interested in this plane.
I did notice that it is called a "sport aerobat", it doesn't say anything about 3D. If it flies like a large version of the .46 size, Iknow it will be a very capable 3D monster. Hopefully they didn't tone it down in any way to make it more of a fun fly aircraft.
Since I would be building this for electric, I checked out the recommended setup. The Great Planes motor that is recommended doesn't appear to be available yet. The recommended ESC is very pricey, around $450. Hopefully there is something suitable that is less expensive than this.
Despite the tail being glued in, which makes it tough for me to fit in my apartment, I'm still interested in this plane.
I did notice that it is called a "sport aerobat", it doesn't say anything about 3D. If it flies like a large version of the .46 size, Iknow it will be a very capable 3D monster. Hopefully they didn't tone it down in any way to make it more of a fun fly aircraft.
Since I would be building this for electric, I checked out the recommended setup. The Great Planes motor that is recommended doesn't appear to be available yet. The recommended ESC is very pricey, around $450. Hopefully there is something suitable that is less expensive than this.
"The Reactor has excelled under glow and electric power, as a mono-plane and a biplane. Now it really hits the “big time†expanding to IMAA-legal dimensions with performance that’s better than ever. At low speeds, the giant-scale Reactor flies solid and true. But for an all-out 3D machine, install a 50 cc gasoline engine and increase the throws!"
09-02-2008, 03:01 PM
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RE: Great Planes Reactor 120-160?
Well...I just ordered one of these from Tower Hobbies. They show a delivery of late September. I guess I'll be the ginny pig on this dude. I'm gonna put a DA50R that I have on it and I'm gonna use those new HiTec servos the HS7955TG on everything but the throttle. There are some good prices on these servos right now. ($95/each) With the discounts Tower offers me I got it for $399 with $9.99 shipping. Man that's a nice price! I hope the plane is as nice. I expect it to be loads of fun to fly. We'll see.Thanks
Barry
09-02-2008, 10:49 PM
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RE: Great Planes Reactor 120-160?
Wow,
It's looking like my winter project, I sold my Yak 54 and looking for something new, this could be it!
Eric
It's looking like my winter project, I sold my Yak 54 and looking for something new, this could be it!
Eric
09-05-2008, 02:17 PM
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RE: Great Planes Reactor 120-160?
It should fly just like the .46 reactor ....Looks about the same....
I am not a fan of the looks or the "FUN FLY" type shape of the wings..... They work well, I just don't look at this plane and say
"I got to have it" like a Yak or Extra ect.... The price is quite fair though.....
If you are worried about the size of the plane..... Just install some Robart hinge pockets on the rudder, or the flat pianno wire types.......
That way you could take the rudder off anyway....
I am not a fan of the looks or the "FUN FLY" type shape of the wings..... They work well, I just don't look at this plane and say
"I got to have it" like a Yak or Extra ect.... The price is quite fair though.....
If you are worried about the size of the plane..... Just install some Robart hinge pockets on the rudder, or the flat pianno wire types.......
That way you could take the rudder off anyway....
09-05-2008, 02:23 PM
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RE: Great Planes Reactor 120-160?
I had an exchange with George at Hobbico, wanting to know how the plane flew because I'm looking for another plane for a DL50. As a result of his reply, I'm going to wait for the Reactor. With his permission, I'm publishing his response. Get your credit cards out!
"Hello Chuck,
Well....I would decribe the feel of the big Reactor as being just plain easy to fly.
It tracks very true for precise flying (even withthe monster size surfaces!)...it lands like a kite (very U-Can-Do like)...for me it is the easist airplane to fly in high alpha and post stall maneuvers. Hover easy...tumbles, and twists up very aggressive when its demanded.
This is not my project....but I have had a chance to fly the early hevier prototypes...and even over a pound heavier than what will be on the market...the airplane was very true and lots of fun for my style.
I am an old school precision aerobatic guy...and getting some 3D skills under my belt has been tough sometimes (except for foamies thank god!).
I thought this airplane just made me better at trying new stuff.
I hope this helps you some. Theres nothing written here that I wouldn't say in a thread...feel free to mention this exchange if you feel like it.
I have my Reactor Bipe in the my car...so I am going to try and get a battery in over my lunch break!
Have a good weekend.
Cheers,
George Rodriguez
Hobbico Product Development
Product Manager- Great Planes/Electrifly"
"Hello Chuck,
Well....I would decribe the feel of the big Reactor as being just plain easy to fly.
It tracks very true for precise flying (even withthe monster size surfaces!)...it lands like a kite (very U-Can-Do like)...for me it is the easist airplane to fly in high alpha and post stall maneuvers. Hover easy...tumbles, and twists up very aggressive when its demanded.
This is not my project....but I have had a chance to fly the early hevier prototypes...and even over a pound heavier than what will be on the market...the airplane was very true and lots of fun for my style.
I am an old school precision aerobatic guy...and getting some 3D skills under my belt has been tough sometimes (except for foamies thank god!).
I thought this airplane just made me better at trying new stuff.
I hope this helps you some. Theres nothing written here that I wouldn't say in a thread...feel free to mention this exchange if you feel like it.
I have my Reactor Bipe in the my car...so I am going to try and get a battery in over my lunch break!
Have a good weekend.
Cheers,
George Rodriguez
Hobbico Product Development
Product Manager- Great Planes/Electrifly"
09-06-2008, 08:09 AM
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RE: Great Planes Reactor 120-160?
Why did Great Planes go with 2 aileron servos per wing ?? Most planes in this class use only 1.
It would help to save weight as well, the 2 extra servos, possibly a couple of match boxes or a power expander.
Beyond that, this planes looks really really good.
Oh yeah, removable stabs would be a nice treat as well. But Great Planes doesn't do it for any of their planes in the performance series.
A lot of people, myself included have stayed away from them for that reason. We don't all have vans, and it won't fit in my car.
But since I am 5 minutes from our flying field. I may need to rig a way to hold my hatch open to accomodate this plane.
HaHa my car is small enough that if I leave the nose of the plane sticking out the back. Put a pusher prop on a DL-50....It would probably push my car to the field.
It would cut down on break in time at the field
It would help to save weight as well, the 2 extra servos, possibly a couple of match boxes or a power expander.
Beyond that, this planes looks really really good.
Oh yeah, removable stabs would be a nice treat as well. But Great Planes doesn't do it for any of their planes in the performance series.
A lot of people, myself included have stayed away from them for that reason. We don't all have vans, and it won't fit in my car.
But since I am 5 minutes from our flying field. I may need to rig a way to hold my hatch open to accomodate this plane.
HaHa my car is small enough that if I leave the nose of the plane sticking out the back. Put a pusher prop on a DL-50....It would probably push my car to the field.
It would cut down on break in time at the field
09-06-2008, 08:38 PM
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RE: Great Planes Reactor 120-160?
I didn't notice the two aileron servos per wing - that's a really bad design decision in my opinion.
I've never built a plane with two aileron servos per wing - do you have to have one of those matchbox things (or equivalent) to match the servos up? If so, I doubt I will buy this plane, that's needlessly complicated and expensive.
Too bad, I just flew my Reactor bipe this weekend and really love it. I decided to seriously consider an electric version of the big Reactor, but now I'm not so sure.
I've never built a plane with two aileron servos per wing - do you have to have one of those matchbox things (or equivalent) to match the servos up? If so, I doubt I will buy this plane, that's needlessly complicated and expensive.
Too bad, I just flew my Reactor bipe this weekend and really love it. I decided to seriously consider an electric version of the big Reactor, but now I'm not so sure.
09-07-2008, 11:51 AM
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RE: Great Planes Reactor 120-160?
ORIGINAL: Bdegan
Why did Great Planes go with 2 aileron servos per wing ??
Why did Great Planes go with 2 aileron servos per wing ??
Maybe they do not want to read some guys whining on forums telling the plane can not resist a full throttle snap ?
09-07-2008, 11:29 PM
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RE: Great Planes Reactor 120-160?
It doesn't really take any special equipment to install two servos per wing. It can be programed with your radio or you can use "Y" harness and plug into one channel of the radio. Really not that hard to do. And...with this big of a wing (keep in mind, nobody has this much wing area in the 50 cc class) it probably needs the extra servo per wing. Again, you don't need matchboxes or ANY special equipment to run a (4) servo wing set up. The manual states you can use 100oz-in metal gear servos as a minimum if you desire. Me? I'm use two 333oz servos in each wing. Should be overkill but I'll bet I love the response of this baby.
The manual states the weight will be 16lbs 0ozs with all the servos and the DA50. That is a very low weight and wing loading. About the only plane I've seen that is under that is the Extra and Edge from AirWild. Nobody else is under 16.5lbs. This should be a great flying plane.
Thanks
BArry
09-08-2008, 05:23 AM
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RE: Great Planes Reactor 120-160?
ORIGINAL: Barry Cazier
It doesn't really take any special equipment to install two servos per wing. It can be programed with your radio or you can use "Y" harness and plug into one channel of the radio. Really not that hard to do. And...with this big of a wing (keep in mind, nobody has this much wing area in the 50 cc class) it probably needs the extra servo per wing.
Again, you don't need matchboxes or ANY special equipment to run a (4) servo wing set up. Thanks
BArry
It doesn't really take any special equipment to install two servos per wing. It can be programed with your radio or you can use "Y" harness and plug into one channel of the radio. Really not that hard to do. And...with this big of a wing (keep in mind, nobody has this much wing area in the 50 cc class) it probably needs the extra servo per wing. Again, you don't need matchboxes or ANY special equipment to run a (4) servo wing set up. Thanks
BArry
But what if the 2 servos are not perfectly matched ? I was planning to use 5645's.
I was told that even 2 of the same servo are not always exactly the same. Deadband or speed may not be exactly the same. Would that not cause the 2 servos to fight each other?
Or am I just worrying too much about it ??
I suppose I could invest in the Hitec servo prgrammer. It would always be helpful in the future as well.