HELP! Freewing or FMS V8 P-51?

[Spool]

Alright guys...help me out. Birthday is coming up and it's time to get my Mustang. I thought I was all set to go with the FMS V8 P-51D...but then I looked at the New Products tab on Motion and found the Freewing P-51D. GRRR!!!! I hate hard choices.

Really like some of the hardware upgrades on the Freewing, including the all metal retracts and the integrated control horns and such. Sounds like the servos may be better as well.

BUT...I really like the options of livery in the FMS line and don't know that I'll really miss the landing lights and such from the Freewing.

BUT...I currently fly the Freewing Pandora and am very happy with that aircraft, and I have never flown any FMS stuff.

So...owners and pilots...help me out here. Which did you go with, why, and do you regret the decision? And no answers that say "Buy Both!". I don't have the cash to have multiple versions of the same TMS in my hangar!

Background on me...I'm a experienced beginner, I'd say, with a couple years flying nitros ten years ago, and then more time on the Pandora in the tail dragger config over the last six months. The Mustang may still be a bit of a handful, but it's time...plus I fly off a Navy OLF out here in Virginia with plenty of paved runway, so I'll just keep her fast with full flaps on landing and let her roll out for miles :)

[CT]

Re: HELP! Freewing or FMS V8 P-51?

I have both, and must say it is a very hard decision, as each have some unique characteristics. Since I upgraded my FMS to a 580 motor out of the box, it does have more speed than the Freewing. The FMS is rock steady and stable, very easy to perform beautiful scale approaches and landings. I am not saying the Freewing does not fly as well, but I believe the shorter fuse has something to do with handling. My Freewing has the audio included and must say I get an adranaline rush from every low pass. Additionally, the landing lights are brilliant as well as the ball joint clevises and servos.Both models have absolutely great detail and painting. I hate to do this to you but I cannot choose which one would be best for you. I had the same dilemma and was able to buy both. Hopefully other pilots will be more objective.

[Spool]

Re: HELP! Freewing or FMS V8 P-51?

Hey CT...thanks for nothin'! <smiley image="smiley_wink.gif"/>

But seriously, you've outlined all the trouble I'm having making the decision. Hearing that the FMS is perhaps a bit more predictable in the scale flying department gives it a little edge for me...but having watched vids of both, I can't complain too much about the Freewing.

Have you seen any issues with the gear on the FMS? I think they beefed it up a bit in the V8, but it still seems a bit smaller and less robust that the Freewing. That said, it seems folks have run into sequencer issues with the Freewing and not with the FMS, but reading some of the posts, some folks are definitely overspeeding the gear...there's a reason why real planes have airspeed limits for gear deployment...same applies to models.

I've looked at the audio, but it does not seem as nice as the MrRC audio (as far as the sample goes...I'm not concered with the whistle or gun sounds...but the Merlin on the MrRC sounds fantastic...) and I'm not sure I'm crazy about the added weight for the gear. That said...if I went with the Freewing, the small jump in price to include it would probably push me to get it with the audio.

All said, I'm sure I'll be happy with whichever I end up going with...so, I consider the difficult choice to be happy trouble!

Thanks for the response and I look forward to hearing from other folks!

-Spool

[Hippie 64]

Re: HELP! Freewing or FMS V8 P-51?

Hey Spool , I have planes made by both co. Both are great quality , good luck !!!!

[retiredflyer]

Re: HELP! Freewing or FMS V8 P-51?

Hey Spool,
I was just going to ask the same question. After looking at the Freewing, both Mustangs look almost identical. I think that after mulling it over for a while, and I'm NOT going with the added sound package, I going to go with the Freewing as it's 20 bucks cheaper. Hey, 20 bucks is 20 bucks, right? Buys me another battery. I already have several gyro units so one will go into this. Haven't pulled the trigger yet, but it's close.

[Lon]

Re: HELP! Freewing or FMS V8 P-51?

Not sure I can help make up your mind....but here's my 2cents....
I started flying in May this year. Pandora was my first plane. I too, couldn't wait to get a Mustang. And after many, many flights with the Pandora. High wing to low wing. I felt confident enough to make the move. I purchased the Freewing P-51 middle of July. I have never flown any FMS. So can't comment first hand on the differences. I can tell you, I have been on cloud 9 since July, and have well over 60 flights logged with the IronAss. I did not get the sound system, and haven't had any second thoughts of wishing I had. What made my mind up in the end of whether FMS or Freewing. Was the retracts and wheel size, plus the hinged/ball hardware for flight control surfaces, and the very easy access to the battery compartment....The handling characteristics of the plane is great, and this is from a newbe as of this year. Going from the Pandora to the Mustang was a significant adjustment, just a little tense at first, till I become adjusted to the speed and quickness difference of the Mustang. Landings, I can more consistently grease a landing with the Mustang than the Pandora. Good luck on your decision....I'm thinking you will be happy either way!(Get the IronAss)

[retiredflyer]

RE: HELP! Freewing or FMS V8 P-51?

Not sure I can help make up your mind....but here's my 2cents....
I started flying in May this year. Pandora was my first plane.  I too, couldn't wait to get a Mustang. And after many, many flights with the Pandora. High wing to low wing.  I felt confident enough to make the move.  I purchased the Freewing P-51 middle of July.  I have never flown any FMS. So can't comment first hand on the differences.  I can tell you, I have been on cloud 9 since July, and have well over 60 flights logged with the IronAss.  I did not get the sound system, and haven't had any second thoughts of wishing I had. What made my mind up in the end of whether FMS or Freewing.  Was the retracts and wheel size, plus the hinged/ball hardware for flight control surfaces, and the very easy access to the battery compartment....The handling characteristics of the plane is great, and this is from a newbe as of this year.  Going from the Pandora to the Mustang was a significant adjustment, just a little tense at first, till I become adjusted to the speed and quickness difference of the Mustang.  Landings, I can more consistently grease a landing with the Mustang than the Pandora.  Good luck on your decision....I'm thinking you will be happy either way!(Get the IronAss)

Wow, after looking at BOTH these planes for months I appreciate the input.  It appears that the FMS has gone UP in price 20 bucks this week so now the MUCH smarter choice would be the Freewing.  It now makes it 40 Bucks cheaper, That's the cost of an extra battery! I'm just about ready to pull the trigger on this and make it an early Christmas present to myself.

[Pheonix]

RE: HELP! Freewing or FMS V8 P-51?

FMS did raise their prices.  This being said, I have the Gunfighter and IronAss.  They are both very good planes.  I am partial to the IronAss though. The quality cannot be beat and the planes is really a good flyer.  You probably cannot go wrong with either.

[Lon]

RE: HELP! Freewing or FMS V8 P-51?

Not sure I can help make up your mind....but here's my 2cents....
I started flying in May this year. Pandora was my first plane.  I too, couldn't wait to get a Mustang. And after many, many flights with the Pandora. High wing to low wing.  I felt confident enough to make the move.  I purchased the Freewing P-51 middle of July.  I have never flown any FMS. So can't comment first hand on the differences.  I can tell you, I have been on cloud 9 since July, and have well over 60 flights logged with the IronAss.  I did not get the sound system, and haven't had any second thoughts of wishing I had. What made my mind up in the end of whether FMS or Freewing.  Was the retracts and wheel size, plus the hinged/ball hardware for flight control surfaces, and the very easy access to the battery compartment....The handling characteristics of the plane is great, and this is from a newbe as of this year.  Going from the Pandora to the Mustang was a significant adjustment, just a little tense at first, till I become adjusted to the speed and quickness difference of the Mustang.  Landings, I can more consistently grease a landing with the Mustang than the Pandora.  Good luck on your decision....I'm thinking you will be happy either way!(Get the IronAss)

Wow, after looking at BOTH these planes for months I appreciate the input.  It appears that the FMS has gone UP in price 20 bucks this week so now the MUCH smarter choice would be the Freewing.  It now makes it 40 Bucks cheaper, That's the cost of an extra battery! I'm just about ready to pull the trigger on this and make it an early Christmas present to myself.

[retiredflyer]

RE: HELP! Freewing or FMS V8 P-51?

OK, I did it, bought the Freewing, should be here the end of the week. Of course I can't fly it for a while here in New England. Way too cold and snowy for me. Hope I made the right decision.

[Hippie 64]

RE: HELP! Freewing or FMS V8 P-51?

Between either one the Freewing or FMS you can't go wrong . They both build quality planes . What I've found after who knows how many hours of research MRC is only caring quality products . That being said keep in mind the Dynam line is a good line . Is it the same as the others two , no . I have a plane by four different mfgrs. and the Freewing and FMS are the tops in the way they are made .  Not saying the Dynam line is bad or the Flyzone . Look at the price points from Dynam to the others . In this case your getting what your paying for . I have the Grand Cruiser and really enjoy flying . The Freewing Texan I have is just a beefier built plane .