RE: Dragon Flyers
JRTRC. My kit is current production. I figured it out. The hole in the bottom of the vertical stabalizer wasn't opened nearly enough. But it is now! Thanks, Jim
Posted on: 11/19/2009 12:16 PM by Author "racer8297" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9265161

RE: Dragon Flyers
Hi JRTRC, Could you give me some more detail on how you installed your rudder servo? It looks like you cut a larger hole in the bottom of the rudder. And you added mounting rails? Or is there something exsiting in there? Mine just has a small round hole in the bottom of the rudder. I haven't looked inside yet (I have not started the build yet). Thanks, Jim
Posted on: 10/31/2009 9:13 AM by Author "racer8297" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9217233

RE: Skymaster Service
I just took delivery of an X-Treme Jets (aka Skymaster) Dragon last Monday. The kit looks very nice. The order process was through China and went pretty well. Communication was good except that the quoted 3 weeks was actually almost 8. No big deal there except that the quoted delivery was inaccurate by more than 100 percent. Then when they said it was going to be "delivered" that really meant that it was ready for packaging. Again, no biggy. Just annoying. Then I got a tracking number from Vicky. The tracking number (DHL) was not in DHL's system for days. Vicky claimed that it was picked up almost a week before it actually was picked up. Once again, not a big deal, except that someone had to be home to sign for and inspect the outside of the package. What really is a problem is that the kit arrived in an undamaged box but with damage on the main fuselage. I emailed Skymaster and their response was to ask if I could fix it myself. Being that it was a brand new kit and I am not a painter, I said no. To which Skymaster replied ok, pack it back up and we will make you a new kit. They obviously know what a pain that would be as it took me over an hour to unpack it so it is going to take me 2 or 3 hours to repack it. I spoke to my friend Dan (Split S), who is a very talented finisher and he agreed to fix it. Afterall, a replacement kit could arrive more damaged. And Skymaster offered me a credit towards my next Skymaster kit. Well, right now I am not even considering another jet model and just want the money that I will have to pay to repair it. What is going to happen is that I am going to call AMEX and get my money back and have Skymaster pick up the kit. Hopefully it won't come to that but we'll see. I am still waiting for a response from John, the guy in China that I have been dealing with. I will keep you posted. Jim
Posted on: 10/8/2009 8:45 PM by Author "racer8297" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9157652

RE: CARF Rep
Hey Kane, Are you and Nir (sp?) coming to the Farview Jet Rally next weekend? Guys, not only is Andy a great ambassador to our hobby, he is a excellent builder, should you want a proffesionaly prepared model. I have personally seen him deliver many models to the Farview field and I would have to say that his and Nir's work is second to none. Jim Farview RC Flyers Home of the Farview Jet Jamboree, October 9th,10th and 11th.
Posted on: 10/2/2009 9:13 PM by Author "racer8297" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9142280

RE: CARF Rep
ANDY KANE!
Posted on: 10/2/2009 8:42 PM by Author "racer8297" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9142216

RE: Hamburg Jet Jamboree 2009, October 9, 10 & 11
Yay! Popcorn balls! Thanks Brian. Looking forward to seeing you guys at the rally! A bunch of us have been killing the grass all summer with our turbines [:D]. No broken landing gear, no issues at all. The corn is getting cut down this week. And we have so much fun hosting the turbine community! The best of the best!!! Jim
Posted on: 9/22/2009 3:06 PM by Author "racer8297" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9115617

RE: Great Northern Hobbies
Just for point of fact. When I ordered my Trim wheels from GNM it was winter of 2008. The website mentioned the Blackberry and that all emails would be answered, "even when we are flying". Well, that never happened then. Only time will tell if anything has changed. But I buy everything from Dreamworks. Much more professional organization. Very responsive and customer oriented. Jim
Posted on: 9/5/2009 9:03 PM by Author "racer8297" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9072522

RE: Great Northern Hobbies
I tried to do business once with GNM. I tried to order a set of Trim wheels. There was poor communication with him. Unreturned phone calls. Unanswered emails. When I left a message requesting to cancel my order (3 weeks after ordering) I got an email from Ed's wife which stated that she knew that Ed was a poor communicator and that she would look into my order and get back to me. She did not get back to me. So I sent an email canceling my order which Ed's wife acknowledged. I ordered the wheels from Todd at Dreamworks. Got them in 3 days. About 1 week later the wheels from GNM showed up. This was now about 6 weeks after ordering. I don't care about the long delivery time but the lack of communication is the issue for me. It's not my problem that this is a side job for him. It's his problem. My 2 cents. Jim
Posted on: 9/5/2009 7:16 AM by Author "racer8297" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9071242

RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
John, Look at post #2406. That's my yellow and blue Reaction with the small Prolink strut in front with a 2.25" wheel, both from Todd at Dreamworks. I fly off of grass and now have 152 flights on my model. BTW, I also have Prolinks on the mains. Requires a wing mod though. But it drives on the grass like a Cadilac! Jim
Posted on: 8/20/2009 12:12 PM by Author "racer8297" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9030925

RE: X-Treme Jets Dragon landing gear question
Thanks guys! Great input here. I guess it comes down to this. The retract units from SM MAY be adequate but obtaining a trunion or something could be weeks away, if not more. Therefore, it seems prudent (to me) to get the jet without the retracts and get either Robart or Prolink retracts with the Prolink struts. Costs about 500.00 more that way but hey, it's a jet! And these things always seem to break right in the middle of flying season. BTW, this will be my second jet. My first is a Reaction54 kit, glassed and painted (painted by Dan Davidson, Split S) with a P70 and Prolink struts. I just put my 150th flight on it yesterday. Thanks for your help! Jim
Posted on: 8/9/2009 5:46 PM by Author "racer8297" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9002717

RE: X-Treme Jets Dragon landing gear question
Alex, Thank you for your input. I'm kind of on the shelf right now as to which way to go. Obviously, getting the whole setup from Todd is the "top shelf" thing to do. It's just that money is tight these days. But I really would rather wait and get the better units if the ones from X-Treme Jets is sub standard. If the retracts themselves are good then all I need is the struts from Todd. And probably only the mains since the Dragon comes with a trailing link type nose gear. Jim
Posted on: 8/9/2009 10:56 AM by Author "racer8297" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9001851

X-Treme Jets Dragon landing gear question
Hi, Does anyone know if the Dragon landing gear as supplies by X-Treme Jets comes with Imperial of Metric diameter struts? I am contemplating getting the retracts with the airplane but since I fly off of grass I would mount Prolink struts to the retract units. OR, are the units that come with the Dragon so crappy that I should just get the whole retract struts/units from Dreamworks, even though that route would cost considerably more? Any input would be much appreciated. Jim
Posted on: 8/9/2009 8:51 AM by Author "racer8297" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9001619

RE: Foam backed mylar for wing bags
Hi Thomas, Yes, that's the stuff! I own an upholstery shop so I used binding tap and sewed the edges. The bags are lined with leftover Ultrasuede. You can probably use duct tape to do the edges. I used metal grommets and 1/4" nylon rope to make handles. Jim
Posted on: 8/4/2009 8:34 AM by Author "racer8297" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8988710

RE: Foam backed mylar for wing bags
It was in the insulation section in the Lowes in Whitehall, PA.
Posted on: 8/3/2009 8:20 PM by Author "racer8297" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8987436

Kerry, check your PM's
Hi Kerry, I PM'd you last night. Jim
Posted on: 8/3/2009 12:39 PM by Author "racer8297" in the forum "SimJet Turbine Direct Support"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8986277

RE: P70 smokes on startup
Thanks Matt. I won't be able to get out until next weekend (weather permitting) but I will post what I find!
Posted on: 8/3/2009 11:51 AM by Author "racer8297" in the forum "JetCat Turbine Direct Support"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8986143

RE: Foam backed mylar for wing bags
I just got a roll at Lowes that was 48" x 25 feet. It cost 49 bucks.
Posted on: 8/3/2009 9:37 AM by Author "racer8297" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8985849

RE: P70 smokes on startup
Thanks again KC. Looks like heavy rain and storms here today so I won't get a chance to check it out until next weekend. Ciao!
Posted on: 8/2/2009 8:52 AM by Author "racer8297" in the forum "JetCat Turbine Direct Support"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8983271

RE: P70 smokes on startup
Ok KC36330. Thank you for the response. With a little luck it won't rain tomorrow (it's supposed to) and I'll look for the air bubble. The cutoff valve is about 9 inches from the turbine. And in 140 starts I never saw smoke. Any deviation from normal concerns me. Thanks again!
Posted on: 8/1/2009 9:32 PM by Author "racer8297" in the forum "JetCat Turbine Direct Support"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8982388

P70 smokes on startup
Hi all, I have a 1.5 year old P70 on a Reaction 54 (kit). It has approx 15 hours runtime. I noticed today that when it starts and is running on Powermax, smoke seems to seep out from the side somewhere. I have a pipe on the nozzle during start up but there is no visable flame. It never did that before. I had 4 flights today and it smoked all 4 times during startup. Other than the smoke there are no running problems at all with this motor. When I shut down I ALWAYS close the fuel cutoff so I know that there is no extra fuel going into the can when I fill the tank. Do I need to adjust something with the GSU? Is there something going bad on the motor?
Posted on: 8/1/2009 9:08 PM by Author "racer8297" in the forum "JetCat Turbine Direct Support"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8982335

RE: Reaction 54 Jet Kit
Mine is the yellow and blue R54 in the front. P70, Prolink struts (rides like a Caddy on the grass!). Dave (xxspeed) is the one on the right and Albert Santiago, an IMAC flyer, is on the left. Albert's R54 was bought from a gentlelman from Canada during the Rally of Giants at Farview RC Flyers in Hamburg, PA. That is where the above pics were taken. My R54 was built and glassed by me and painted by Dan Davidson (Split S). It has an automotive quality finish on it. The airplane has over 140 flights on it as of yesterday! Abert is an avid IMAC flyer but watched me fly my R54 over the past year and now he got bit be the turbine bug. He now has over 50 flights on his and he has only had it for about a month! Unforutunatly it is raining here today so no flying. Oh well. Time to do some house chores. Jim
Posted on: 7/26/2009 9:54 AM by Author "racer8297" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8964655

RE: RCjetmodels Huge sale!
Hey Gordon, I hear ya for sure. I believe that FB will do the right thing but they don't really know what to say right now. If in fact Wagner has flown the coup (which I hope he hasn't but it ain't looking to good) then FB is looking at a huge mess sorting this thing out. But I also think that FB is a factory with a factory mentality if you will. FB just wants to know how many containers a month you can take and are probably not used to customer service. At least not service to an end user. I think that they are just as confused, angry and upset as you all are. They have god knows how many jets done that aren't paid for. They have paid their workers (yeah, I know, about 2 bucks a day), they have overhead and material costs that have been most likely paid for. And 100 thousand dollars worth of jets sitting there. And they have no idea who gets what. And at best to make it right, they are only going to get 60% of what they would have gotten in order to make it right. And then OMG, the quality issues that are going to arise. To import models like this I would say that each model with each shipment must be inspected by Wagner. I guess that didn't happen. Jim
Posted on: 7/16/2009 7:57 PM by Author "racer8297" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8939480

RE: RCjetmodels Huge sale!
Gordon, You are right. But don't forget, they are in China and this problem occured here. They are operating blind. As a business owner, I would not commit to anything until I either resolve this with Wagner or determine once and for all that Wagner is done (which it certainly appears). But sometimes silence is the best policy before committing to something that might not be in your business's best intrest. I would say that if this isn't resolved with Wagner coming forward by the end of this month then FB should start to make this right. 2 weeks is not that much longer to wait. Jim
Posted on: 7/16/2009 3:46 PM by Author "racer8297" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8938823

RE: RCjetmodels Huge sale!
Alright, I have been reading this thread for some time now and I'm ready to put in my two cents (Nomex suit on). First, let me say that I really feel for you guys that were duped by Wagner (who I do not know in the least). I know how gut wrenching the feeling is to have been robbed so casually by this guy. To you, I am truly sorry for your loss of money, rich or poor (or in between). Second, to Wagner et al. I have owned a custom furniture manufacturing business since 1986. We work with 50% deposit, 50% balance before delivery. To run a business with these terms takes allot of trust from you customers. And other businesses that do the same have in the past went out of business and screwed customers out of their deposits and in some cases the balances too. Which put a hardship on my because customers become wary. In 2002, my father became gravely ill, mortally ill as it turned out. He was sick in a coma in the hospital 100 miles away. With the new inventions called internet and cell phones I was able to make sure my employees (22 of them at the time) were paid ON TIME and that my customers where aware that the deliveries were going to be delayed by 2 weeks due to the fact that I personally inspect every piece that leaves the shop. And when I told them it was going to be 2 weeks, it WAS 2 weeks. When you call a customer and tell them that you family member is ill and that the product was going to be late they could only say they were sorry and that they hoped everthing would turn out okay for me and my family. Yes, it is a hard call to make sometime but when you are up front with people, especially with something like illness and death, they really don't bite. So, shame on you Wagner, it only takes a minute to communicate, even from the desert. Next, with regard to Fei Bao. I know that some of you have been lied to and are out money and that it really hurts. And yes, in the end, I agree that FB should step forward and make this right. I do see that Catherine has been following this thread and has posted some comments in this regard. I think that at this point she has done what allot of Chinese companies would NOT have done, so I would give FB kudos SO FAR. Being that Wagner is/was the FB sole distributor I think that FB is doing the prudent thing in wanting a resolution of sorts with Wagner before moving forward and trying to resolve this with the individuals. which in the end they should be prepared to do. I can see that Wagner, earlier in this thread, had containers ordered from FB but no customers. I'm sure he had a commitment to FB for so many models per month/quarter/whatever but the economy slowed down and he was over committed. The Chinese ARF manufactures only want to keep the factories working. They need X amount of dollars per month. Again, I don't know Wagner, but I would say that he didn't INTEND to defraud people at first. But, and this is only my opinion, after some time went on and his stock was to much and his commitments of more jets was to much and his income was cut in half, the easiest (in his mind) thing to do was to put his head in the sand. Bills increased, he used customer deposits to pay bills and maybe to live off of (wrongfull use of customer deposits, which are different than down payments). Then his father became ill and low and behold, an excuse to buy time and sympathy. Again, this is only my opinion. But I have seen this happen with other companies (not hobby related) and home builders. It can happen to the nicest people. In my business we keep customer deposits seperate until the order is ready and the balance is paid. We do not record the profit until after the order is shipped. We do no even use that money to buy materials or pay the bills. The last thing I want is angry customers should I ever go out of business. If we went under we would have the capability to return the deposits to the customers. That was I would still be able to work in the industry with a great reputation. Just a little Business 101. And even though I am not involved with this I started to get more pissed as I typed this and the gravity started to sink in. Best of luck to all, Jim
Posted on: 7/16/2009 3:37 PM by Author "racer8297" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8938791

RE: Trying to find some small trailing link struts
Gary, Did you try Dreamworks? http://www.dreamworksrc.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=41_134_178&products_id=1614 He has 7/16" struts. Maybe you could ream your 3/8" trunions to fit? Jim
Posted on: 7/11/2009 3:57 PM by Author "racer8297" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8924466

RE: Should I sell my props?
Hi Pete, I know just how you feel. I got bit by the jet bug last season. Built a Reaction 54, glassed and painted it and threw a P70 on it. I had over 100 flights with it last season and I just did my 33rd flight this morning. I choose to take it out over my props and helis. No glow fuel to grease it up, no needle valves to tinker with. I just fuel it, pump air into it and it is good for 5 or 6 flights a day. And it handles the windy days much better also. After a while last year I bought out my props because I wanted to know if I missed them or not. As it turns out, I don't! All I think about is my next jet. I fly off of a smooth grass field (farviewflyers.net) and I put the Proling struts on from Todd. Now the sucker handles like a Cadillac! All the above plus the WOW! factor. Jim
Posted on: 7/4/2009 6:55 PM by Author "racer8297" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8906734

RE: Starting problem on P70
Hi Pete, Thanks for the advice. The question is why wouldn't it start on prop the first time? I have started it 8 times propane after the 1x with Powermax and have had no more trouble. Just trying to figure out why it happened on the first start attempt of the season. Jim
Posted on: 4/26/2009 8:46 PM by Author "racer8297" in the forum "JetCat Turbine Direct Support"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8717457

Starting problem on P70
I did my first turbine flights of the year yesterday. Yah! Here is the problem/question. I have a 1 year old P70. I put in a new glow plug since I had the turbine out over the winter to re-plumb the fuel lines. I use (and have been using) propane to start it. It had almost 100 good starts last season. When I tried to start it for the first time yesterday I got a "puff" sound as if the propane lite and then when out. It tried again 3 more times and then quit with a fast blinking green light on the LED. I didn't have the GSU with me. I tried again with the same result. Then a friend came over and said that I should try his Powermaxx. I did and the turbine started right away! I had 2 more flights after that and I used the propane both times and it started flawlessly. What could have been the problem here? Could it have been a stuck relay that the Powermaxx (for whatever reason) caused it to un-freeze? Thanks, Jim
Posted on: 4/25/2009 7:17 AM by Author "racer8297" in the forum "JetCat Turbine Direct Support"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8713641

RE: Reaction 54 - new paint
Hi Matt, I already had the Prolink small nose gear on the airplane. I added the Prolink mains over the winter. Because the Prolink mains are 1" longer than the stock gear and has a .25" offset I decided to build a new wing (thanks for the wing kit Bruce!). The model sits low in the front now which makes it want to "pop" off the deck now but I think it lands better that way. It looks like it ride like a Cadillac on the grass now. Dan (Split S) did a masterfull job of striping it (I believe by hand with sand paper) and repainting it. I am sure that the model is faster now also. Thanks Dan! Jim
Posted on: 4/24/2009 9:16 PM by Author "racer8297" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8712811

RE: Today was the Day
Uncle Joe, Yup, it was at Farview. The runway was rolled last week and now it's like a billiard table! Jim
Posted on: 4/24/2009 9:09 PM by Author "racer8297" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8712797