Official Freewing 90mm F-4 Phantom II Thread

[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.

[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 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.

[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.

[f4u ausie]

Flew this bad boy yesterday.. windier than I thought.
1 only. .. got off the grass super quick.. I'm sure that little cheater helped off idle ,grunt.. overall not much,, different.. the mistake was landing with only 1 flap setting and way to fast...(Shoulda gone around).. so bouncy bounce,,and ripped out gear from the rh wing,, 1 aileron pushrod,and flap needs some epoxy... Reckon it needs those full flaps,, to slow it down...
I'm always nervous turning to final(don't want to stall).
Overall glue and a bit of solder. Req.. could of been way worse have fun b safe

[Hugh Wiedman]

Hugh Wiedman

NAS Key West has a VF-101 Grim Reapers F-Phour Phantom Gate Guard, except it's not your outstanding CAG Bird livery.

Best to you and your lovely and talented,

LB

Nice.
Had a buddy I went through post graduate with who was a captain just south of Miami at the Homestead Airforce Base. They still have an F4 on a pedestal just outside on US 1. He was in charge of the Flight Simulator. Never was able to get inside the simulator but he did give me plenty of tours of the base and aircraft. They are still flying F16's and F22's there and we occasionally get buzzed by them up in Miami-the jet roar is incredible!!

[Hugh Wiedman]

Hugh,
Love the liveries!
Mine is 8s as well. Mine weighs 4.3 Kgs. I was wondering how much yours is weighing in at?

I actually have no idea. I do know that the SMC 8S 5900 HiV weighs in at 970 gr and I'm sure the aircraft must weigh similar to yours with the slight addition of the 3D printed cockpit parts, the RC Geek twin burners and the aluminum A/C tape in the exhaust nozzles. Balanced about 10-15mm behind manual cg of 190 and it gets off grass runways with no headwind lickety split, in less than 100 feet.

[apmech1]

apmech1 your F4 and son's F18 Red Devil's are outstanding, congratulations to both of you. And Rex, how about a "Key West" Sundowner version! And What the Hell is That?



" Hey, that's not a Real livery" But then what did you expect from the King of fake liveries. Some Mothers do have them and there's an idiot just around every corner!

I have tried to appease the Gods and atone for my blasphemous ways by doing 2 more "traditions" schemes, so maybe the therapy is starting to reap rewards. The F4 is probably my most enjoyable EDF to fly and on 8S, with an SMC 8S HiV V2 5900 and the Plus RX, it just can't be beat!

Hugh,
Love the liveries!
Mine is 8s as well. Mine weighs 4.3 Kgs. I was wondering how much yours is weighing in at?

[Elbee]

Hugh Wiedman

NAS Key West has a VF-101 Grim Reapers F-Phour Phantom Gate Guard, except it's not your outstanding CAG Bird livery.

Best to you and your lovely and talented,

LB

[jetfool]

Wildman,
I love your paint schemes. This is a hobby and each of us expresses models in our own way. I enjoy painting my models to represent a particular plane and the FW Navy F-4 OEM version is very nice out of the box, but I like the sundowner scheme and may try the Dave Platt method of painting all the details instead of graphics. More work and patience to do. My friends sometimes think I'm nuts for doing this, but our winters are long and it's enjoyable. I respect your advice and will be asking a lot of questions before the first flight.
Best Regards, Rex