90mm F18 with thrust vectoring permanently disabled?

[Cudaguy]

I'm not interested in the thrust vectoring and have just a six channel radio.
Is it possible to permanently disable the TV and use the six channel radio?

thanks,
Rich

[fredmdbud]

RE: 90mm F18 with thrust vectoring permanently disabled?

You can disconnect the thrust-vector servos. You could also remove the thrust-vector servos and glue the nozzles in a fixed position.

Of course, this will remove the ability to yaw, unless you modify the rudders.

[Pheonix]

RE: 90mm F18 with thrust vectoring permanently disabled?

A better solution would be to get a 7 to 8-channel receiver. This will cover you for future upgrades. What type radio are you using?

[Cudaguy]

RE: 90mm F18 with thrust vectoring permanently disabled?

A better solution would be to get a 7 to 8-channel receiver.  This will cover you for future upgrades.  What type radio are you using?

Futaba 6EX
I do use aftermarket 7-8 channel recievers tho.
would plugging the TV servos in these ports energize them but let them remain in a neutral position?

Thanx,
Rich

[fredmdbud]

RE: 90mm F18 with thrust vectoring permanently disabled?

The original question did say "permanently".

If you use a receiver with more channels than the transmitter, I imagine that the unused channels would be "energized" and remain fixed.

[Cudaguy]

RE: 90mm F18 with thrust vectoring permanently disabled?

The original question did say "permanently".

If you use a receiver with more channels than the transmitter, I imagine that the unused channels would be "energized" and remain fixed.

Thanks, works for me.

Rich

[Alpha]

RE: 90mm F18 with thrust vectoring permanently disabled?

To add another layer to this discussion, I have found that the Freewing 90mm F/A-18 has a very long takeoff roll. Flaps helps to shorten the takeoff roll, and so does elevator with the thrust vectoring active. Rather than permanently securing the nozzles, another alternative would be to Y-harness the elevator TV servos with your elevator servos, then connect all four into the single Elevator channel on your radio. Finally, use your Elevator's D/R switch to toggle between more throw (useful for takeoff) and less throw (for general flight maneuvers).

[Pheonix]

RE: 90mm F18 with thrust vectoring permanently disabled?

Alpha is correct. I mostly fly mine at Marine Air Station Miramar where we have a long run way. Short run ways will work if you use TV. I sometimes fly off a dirt surface and could not do so without the TV. TV setup is not that difficult to do. I am sure you can get help from the forum if needed. I simply love flying my Hornet

[CT]

RE: 90mm F18 with thrust vectoring permanently disabled?

Alpha is correct.  I mostly fly mine at Marine Air Station Miramar where we have a long run way.  Short run ways will work if you use TV.  I sometimes fly off a dirt surface and could not do so without the TV.  TV setup is not that difficult to do.  I am sure you can get help from the forum if needed.  I simply love flying my Hornet

Whats the status of Miramar now? I assume the Navy closed it some time ago, general aviation? or do you have it all to yourself (just Wishin).
CT

[Pheonix]

RE: 90mm F18 with thrust vectoring permanently disabled?

The aviation unit is still there. I can only wish we had that run way.

[Cudaguy]

RE: 90mm F18 with thrust vectoring permanently disabled?

To add another layer to this discussion, I have found that the Freewing 90mm F/A-18 has a very long takeoff roll. Flaps helps to shorten the takeoff roll, and so does elevator with the thrust vectoring active. Rather than permanently securing the nozzles, another alternative would be to Y-harness the elevator TV servos with your elevator servos, then connect all four into the single Elevator channel on your radio. Finally, use your Elevator's D/R switch to toggle between more throw (useful for takeoff) and less throw (for general flight maneuvers).

TY Alpha! I never would have thought of that! That would work great as our runway is 400ft long.

Rich

[WrightBrosRC]

Am I the last person to actively fly this old bird?:Thinking: I found the unmarked box lurking in the dark recesses of my garage a few days ago. This is the maiden.

[xviper]

Perhaps only till I fly mine again. I flew mine last summer and I plane to fly it again in the coming weeks. All 4 dozen of my planes take their turns. I'm sure there are still many of them out there but with the advent of the new V2 version, I doubt anyone really thinks much about the old one anymore.

[WrightBrosRC]

Thats great to see. My first thought when looking at the dates of this thread was the last of them might be gone. I like your custom livery!

[xviper]

Thats great to see. My first thought when looking at the dates of this thread was the last of them might be gone. I like your custom livery!

Well, it's not really "custom". It was the stock livery as sold in Australia through Xtreme Hobby there. They stopped selling them some years ago as Xtreme had a poor reputation in OZ. In fact, Xtreme doesn't even sell Freewing anymore and they don't seem to sell much of anything anymore. They didn't take the remaining stock from the Freewing Factory and Motion was kind enough to get me one of only 5 remaining in the warehouse as a special order for me. I think they are all gone now. Even your livery, which was the main theme for the rest of the world, is no longer available. I have a feeling they've been discontinued since the factory now makes the V2. I don't know what they did with the molds. It's not the same size as the V2, so they may have melted them down for scrap and made other molds out of it.
I'll be getting my V2 on about a week and I'll bet the quality of the foam in the new one will far surpass that of the old one. You know as well as I do, the foam on the old one was quite soft and not very strong. It's also quite porous. I coated mine with Mod Podge to seal up the pores and help make the surface a bit more solid.