Official Freewing 90mm F-4 Phantom II Thread

[Evan D]

Rear air intake?

[Guillermo]

Hi everyone. When I bought this F4, I noticed that it didn’t have the air intake grille on the underside of the fuselage like other EDF jets I have from Freewing. Seeing that the rear air intake is quite narrow (in my humble opinion), I'm tempted to design a lower grille with my 3D printer and test the results... Do you know of anyone who has already done this?

[jetfool]

Shortround91,
Never thought I'd have an EDF but this one is a must have. Fits fully assembled in wife's chevy Trax with room to spare, so transporting assembled isn't a bad problem. I'd like to get the FW ME-262 later on, partial to WWII era.
Best Regards, Rex

[shortround91]

Most definitely one I need to add to the hanger, love to see a V2 quick disconnect wings are a big plus for transport. Just like I’d love to see a V2 F22 also but who here wouldn’t. Club member has an older 6s version still has some of the best looks of any jet in my eyes. Congrats guys one day I’ll add one

[jetfool]

Just what I was looking for. Your the best Elbee.

[Elbee]

jetfool

Orange, purple. metallic light blue, flat NATO Black. each thinned more than usual, airbrushed in overlapping rotation from orange to black.

I used a small lazy Susan.

Topcoat in semi-gloss and then weathered with Tamiya black wash and wiped while still wet.

Hope that helps.

Best, LB

[jetfool]

Guys,
Starting to paint my Phantom exhaust nozzles. Trying to get the look of this picture of the exhaust in picture two. I 'm using acrylic paints and wondering if you can tell me what color paints you used and in what sequence.
Thanks in advance. Rex

[Hugh Wiedman]

Wildman,
Thanks for posting the servo specs. I have never used pro-modeler servos before but trust your experience. When I get to that area, I will try one. I'd rather be safe than sorry.
Best Regards, Rex

Don't get me wrong, I've gotten close to 100 flights on the stock Freewing 30 gram elevator servos over 3 F4-s, 6S & 8S without a single issue. It's just that late last year, a 30gr FW servo in one of the ailerons of my A10 died in flight after about 75 flights. No real issues getting it down in one piece, but then that's the A10 (easiest flying edf, IMO, almost a big trainer), and it was an aileron, not an elevator. So decided why not replace it just for the hell of it as if that F4 elevator servo goes, it's Hasta la Vista Baby. :exploding_head:

[f4u ausie]

If it looks like the p47. Wow what a beautiful pigeon 🐦 pair that'll be

[jetfool]

Wildman,
Thanks for posting the servo specs. I have never used pro-modeler servos before but trust your experience. When I get to that area, I will try one. I'd rather be safe than sorry.
Best Regards, Rex

[jetfool]

UPDATE on my Phantom
I received in the mail today my cockpit kit from Motion R/C. Guess I'll be working on modifications sooner than I thought. I will need to locate instruments for the panels and switches. Hopefully my Detail and Scale book on the navy Phantoms will have good photos that I can scan and use. Motion had sold out of the ladders so hope they re-stock soon. My partner in crime, Elbee, is printing out his modifications he designed, for me to use. (Modelers helping Modelers) a Big Heartfelt Thank you! As you can see the Phantom is waiting to move up on my cluttered workbench after finishing the P-47. So the march to Toledo 26 begins.
Best Regards, Rex

[f4u ausie]

I have a hiteck. In mine...
I just love little gentle electronic sound it makes (sure all the good ones do).. as apposed to the crappy ratchety sound. The fms fwing ones make..

[Hugh Wiedman]

Now that I have my 2 8S F-4's flying great with the Spektrum Plus receivers, decided to upgrade the horizontal stab servos on both, just in case. Haven't had any real issues with the Freewing stock servos, but don't want to chance it since the number of flights on each is getting up there. Upgraded to the ProModeler DS160CLHV servos. Used them on the horizontal stabs in my Mig-29 and absolutely love them. They are competitively priced with hitec and MKS, but IMO are better and won't break the bank, just crack it a bit. The cost was $90 per servo (up a bit from 2 years ago and the pricing on their website-but the hitec and MKS are also up). They are made here in Florida and are quiet, powerful, smooth as silk and consistently return to neutral and no chattering (as some of my FW servos did).

[f4u ausie]

Flew it again this morning.. early.. mother's day here... pushing the CG back a bit.. as hugh suggests... Was nose heavy at 180. .
Pushed back to factory 190(small increments).. did land easy.... Went back too 200 next flight but nose gear collapsed b4 rotateing.. new req.. have had them apart plenty.. happy with the progress will keep perfecting:partying_face: b safe

[Hugh Wiedman]

Ty, Sir! Knowing how my 6s flew, that's the reason I started where I did. Once I have it through it's paces a bit more I will probably try moving it back. If it flies any better than right now, I will put it in the same class as my 90mm F-22, which flies like a 100mph trainer... lol

I'm with you brother! Other than my Mig 29 with TV, the 8S F4 is my favorite EDF to fly and definitely flies like a trainer for me, in any wind conditions or direction. Never have to be concerned about landing, even in questionable weather. Always the first up when I go to the field just to settle any nerves. And I never thought I would have felt like this even after several years on 6S.:call_me::f4:

[apmech1]

Outstanding looking F4 and congrats on the maiden. This baby is made for 8S!!! Had same thoughts/feelings on 6S, but on 8S everything was superb.

I used to fly the 6S balanced at 184mm, any further back and it stalled easily. On 8S, both my F4's fly much better at 198-200mm. More neutrally balanced in flight and landings with full flaps are much easier, resulting in a consistent nose up touchdown. Part of that was also helped by the new AR8360T Plus RX. Went to 200mm on the old non-plus RX and it was also better, so IMO, don't be afraid to ease the balance back as 182mm is definitely nose heavy and it glides level without power better further back and is much more responsive. Just my 1 1/2 cents, probably not even worth 2.

Ty, Sir! Knowing how my 6s flew, that's the reason I started where I did. Once I have it through it's paces a bit more I will probably try moving it back. If it flies any better than right now, I will put it in the same class as my 90mm F-22, which flies like a 100mph trainer... lol

[dawhale]

Looking for a set of drop tanks with the attachment fixtures for the F4, camo.

PM me the details.

Thank you

[Hugh Wiedman]

I just maidened my 8s yesterday. I was nervous due to the increased weight over my 6s version. My 6s version seemed sluggish until it got up to speed. Not this thing.... it had gobs of power. My cg is at 182mm. My first approach was misaligned so I had to go around. Added power and the plane just climbed out like it was shot out of a cannon. Next approach went without incident. The plane 'felt' much lighter than my 6s.

@f4 ausie,
I too cut a small hole in the bottom of the fuselage because my cockpit was doing the same thing.

It definately likes full flaps on landing. I only give full flaps once I turn final. My flaps take 2 seconds to go from up to 1/2 and 2 seconds 1/2 to full flaps.
it takes 1 second each setting on retraction.

Outstanding looking F4 and congrats on the maiden. This baby is made for 8S!!! Had same thoughts/feelings on 6S, but on 8S everything was superb.

I used to fly the 6S balanced at 184mm, any further back and it stalled easily. On 8S, both my F4's fly much better at 198-200mm. More neutrally balanced in flight and landings with full flaps are much easier, resulting in a consistent nose up touchdown. Part of that was also helped by the new AR8360T Plus RX. Went to 200mm on the old non-plus RX and it was also better, so IMO, don't be afraid to ease the balance back as 182mm is definitely nose heavy and it glides level without power better further back and is much more responsive. Just my 1 1/2 cents, probably not even worth 2.

[f4u ausie]

Apmech. Congrats on the maiden,s... Thanx 4 the feedback nice to no I'm not the only one that noticed the canopy thing.. I'm sure the off idle grunt is better..
I've got around 35 flights on it now.
Last week's was the first off my new grass field.... The minor landing damage is close to fixed now.. I too hit full flaps just on final.. shoulda done that last week , will only fly in light winds now(scaredy cat me) keep us up to date..
Hav fun b safe

[apmech1]

I just maidened my 8s yesterday. I was nervous due to the increased weight over my 6s version. My 6s version seemed sluggish until it got up to speed. Not this thing.... it had gobs of power. My cg is at 182mm. My first approach was misaligned so I had to go around. Added power and the plane just climbed out like it was shot out of a cannon. Next approach went without incident. The plane 'felt' much lighter than my 6s.

@f4 ausie,
I too cut a small hole in the bottom of the fuselage because my cockpit was doing the same thing.

It definately likes full flaps on landing. I only give full flaps once I turn final. My flaps take 2 seconds to go from up to 1/2 and 2 seconds 1/2 to full flaps.
it takes 1 second each setting on retraction.