Official Freewing 64mm F-8 Crusader Thread

[WildBillG]

Hey Guys, I have this plane and a bunch of other 64mms in my hanger and couldn't help noticing that some of you are risking your planes with your hand launches. I used to hand launch them all and after having a few issues i decided to fall back on my old RC glider days when I used to use a bungee launch for all my non powered gliders, and since the Great Planes F-16 i bought some time ago, came with one that was designed just for launching the F-16, i decided to start modding all my 64mm EDFs and since then i have never had to worry about crashes on launch (wish i could say that in all regards). The setup is pretty easy to use and the bungee cord is only about 30 foot long with about the same amount of string attached. I use the setup that came with the F-16, but you could custom make one in about 1/2 hour. and any simple reel that came off of a spool of large wire can be used to store the cord on. The only mod needed on the plane is that you will need to install a small hook just slightly forward of the CG, and i use picture hangers for that, screwed to a small piece of balsa ply which is then epoxied to the bottom of the plane. On launch all you have to do is hold the plane by the tail, then increase to full throttle, and then pull full up elevator and release. this results in an almost full vertical launch and the plane usually never comes closer than 3-4 feet of the ground. if anyone needs more info let me know and i will post some pics and more data.

[fhhuber]

Bungee launch only works if your model is already reasonably trimmed for level. If it rolls , its a lawn dart getting dragged by the bungee.

[WildBillG]

Agreed, done that. That's why I mentioned having one hand on the elevator on launch is so important as you can also correct for any roll issues if it is a maiden flight or you have unexpected trim issues on launch.

[CFIT rob]

Im flying lemon and admiral stabilized rx in my hand toss stuff. Takes the jitters out of launch. How it leaves your hand is how it stays. I would think it would be the same on a bungee launch.

[WildBillG]

Let me clarify. If you are using one of those home made foot launchers then since your plane is less than a foot above the ground, the risk of having a wing dig in and making a mess of the plane is much higher. Also because the weight of the bungee starts pulling the plane downward as soon as it is released, the plane needs 10-20 feet before it develops enough speed to offset the downward pull of the bungee. But if you wear the radio around your neck, you can put the bungee ring on the planes hook and then while holding the plane as high as you are comfortable, advance the throttle and then pull all the way back on the elevator and release. My normal release height is about 5 foot and the planes never come any closer than 3 foot off the ground before they zoom almost straight up, during which the bungee ring falls off.

[WildBillG]

We tried it here at the factory and it was B. ALL. ISTIC. You'll need a smaller 4s, though, or prepare to do some hogging. We left as much room as we could in the forward compartment, as seen below. In Ryan's flight video you can see that his 3s ~1600-1800 batt is all the way aft.



For you modders, here's a photo of the constituent parts. You can see the area under the main wing is open, so relocate your battery and ESC to hit CG.



And finally, here are some photos of the Crusader alongside the 64mm Panther and Hornet:




Final note: I fly mine on tailerons only, as a matter of personal preference. I pinned the ailerons shut and disconnected their control linkage. If anyone is curious if it can be done, it can be.

Just curious, has anyone besides Alpha pinned their ailerons and flown this pocket rocket with tailerons only?

[crxmanpat]

Mine are pinned, and I turned up the aileron rates to compensate. Flies just fine. Roll rates are still pretty good, but rolls are not quite as axial as with the ailerons hooked up, but I don't mind that.

[WildBillG]

Mine are pinned, and I turned up the aileron rates to compensate. Flies just fine. Roll rates are still pretty good, but rolls are not quite as axial as with the ailerons hooked up, but I don't mind that.

Thanks crxmanpat. I'll try pinned first.

[Raehm]

Looking forward to receiving this plane! First thing I will do is reinforce that nose intake.

[WildBillG]

Looking forward to receiving this plane! First thing I will do is reinforce that nose intake.

agreed, i took some 5 min epoxy and coated the entire intake area and about 2 inches of the lower fuse with it.

[radfordc]

I reinforced the nose with several layers of .75 oz fiberglass cloth and CA glue. I used two layers inside and two more outside. Seems pretty solid now. I also used Gorilla clear tape on the bottom of the fuse about half way back.

[radfordc]

I flew mine today and to say the least it was "interesting"! I used the stock setup and the plane was super twitchy in roll and much less responsive in pitch. I nearly lost the plane several times when I lost orientation and found the plane in an unusual attitude and heading for the ground. I knew she was dead when she went out of sight over the other side of the hill in a steep dive. I just held full up and waited....until she came back into sight climbing again.

I'm going to eliminate the ailerons and just use the tail for control and see if I like it better.

[radfordc]

Here is a video of the second flight. Almost hit the ground at 1:43

[Kloverzero]

Here is a video of the second flight. Almost hit the ground at 1:43

I skip mine off the ground intentionally, lots of fun. I did catch the intake once and cartwheeled it. Went and picked it up, and threw it again!!LOL

Here is some video recorded Sunday in the SNOW in SOUTH CAROLINA!! Ridiculous....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRMxMYyKkqg

[NCSKY]

Setting up this model using a Taranis QX7. I have the model programmed as a wing, everything moving in correct direction. I have control surfaces mechanically adjusted for neutral, servos centered, and control rods hooked up per manual.

I'm still not able to get the control deflection needed to reach minimum recommended low rate amounts of 11mm for aileron and 21mm for elevator. (Close on aileron, but still short on elevator).

Not sure what I'm doing incorrect? Assuming it is something in my radio programming (new to taranis and open tx)

Anyone have ideas?

[TSchwyn]

I have the same setup on my F8 with a QX7. I'm getting about 21-23mm on max throw on elevator, but I'm using an S8R stabilizer receiver which requires me to use Input, not Mixing on the QX7 because the
receiver must be setup as Delta wing with NO mixing used. However if you're using a standard receiver, non-stabilized, you can use mixing instead of input and adjust to over 100%, which will give you the additional throw. Be careful that you don't get binding on the linkages, or servo arms as it won't take much to damage the small servos or drain the battery.

[554dug]

Hey guys,
did two launches of the f-8 both unsuccessful, using 2200 mah batteries with hand launch 45 up at full throttle, ending in the grass 30 feet out.

wondering what rates and expo you use.

using dx9 with elevon2 wing and needed a servo reverser to get the right control surface deflections.

a video suggested the roll rate in manual is v witchy and this is my first EDFs and faster plane.

a question for you also is elevons to adjust the elevator throws do you set the second (rail) as an elevator?

Silly questions but will try with 1800 mah battery next and fly hopefully before youneeding foam tac

thanks for any advice Doug.

[NCSKY]

I have the same setup on my F8 with a QX7. I'm getting about 21-23mm on max throw on elevator, but I'm using an S8R stabilizer receiver which requires me to use Input, not Mixing on the QX7 because the
receiver must be setup as Delta wing with NO mixing used. However if you're using a standard receiver, non-stabilized, you can use mixing instead of input and adjust to over 100%, which will give you the additional throw. Be careful that you don't get binding on the linkages, or servo arms as it won't take much to damage the small servos or drain the battery.

Thank you.

[CFIT rob]

554dug ..I have had good success with mine so far. I have flown the f8 on 1800"s first then 2200's. My 2200s make for a very sketchy launch on a calm day. Try the 1800s with a light wind for your next maiden,throw less angle (closer to 20 degrees). It takes 10-20 yards for it to build up enough speed to fly right. I cant recommend a stabilized rx enough. I launch mine with high gain then toggle it off for flight (high gain makes it fly like a dart at launch but induces a high speed wobble).

[Model jet juggernaut]

Out of curiosity, anyone think of making more cheater holes at the bottom of the F8. The FW Panther sounds phenomenal on a 5 blade and I'm thinking because there's a grate on the bottom for extra airflow. Just another theory to support the fact that extra blades alone doesn't mean more turbine sound.