Official Freewing 90mm F-4 Phantom II Thread

[Matt Mathias]

Thank you nuts and volts and f4u ausie for the well thought out and reasonable responses. You have both given me valid points to consider. Thanks as well for the reminder about the elevator linkage mod. You would think that would have been fixed by Freewing by now. But thanks and I will do that mod before it's first flight. Since I live in Montana but work on turbines in the oil patch in Texas I will place my order on Sunday 11/24 so I will be on my off time for the delivery. I need to decide which one pretty quick. I am leaning towards the 8S but I will kick it around a bit more. Thank you for your time and thoughts. Callie is making up my units decals and I will post a few pics when complete. We flew F4 J, N, S models before converting to F18's i would make mine a S model if I could put on leading edge slats 🤣
so a J it will be.

[f4u ausie]

Hello, I was a f4 plane captain with VMFAT-101 from 83 through 86 in Yuma AZ. I started flying rc planes in 1986 and have been flying EDF'S of all sizes, war birds and sport jets for 4 years. I'm finally going to pull the trigger on this F4 but I have a question for you experienced f4 pilots. Is the performance of the 6S plenty good or do you guys think the 8S Is the way to go? I know these type of questions are subjective and depends on a lot of things. But what does your gut say? I like speed but I don't have to have the fastest, know what I mean? I have plenty of 6S batteries but to run 8S I would have to get some 2 cells or buy some 4 cells. Which is not to big of a deal. If I get the 6S would I regret it and wished I had gotten the 8S? I've never flown 8S but I'm not scared of it. I do value like minded rc pilots opinion. Just having trouble deciding. Thanks in advance fellas.
Regards
Matt

Yes this is just an opinion.... i got mine(camo) as an 8s... but i had no 4s batteries,, so first 6 or so flights were on 6s,, (i had an 1835 hp fan) 3 minuts was about max 4 me,, to nervous to stall in the turns.. onc i got 2 sets(4 batts) hrb 6000 4s the8s setup went in,, well its like going from a smallblock chevy too a big block 454,, massive tourqe.. especially if taking off of grass.. i feel its more locked in..but as well 4 minute flight times.. ( what a bonus) so for me its a no brainer.. i now have maybe 25 flights just luv it, im sure i will get a gray navy version at some point... do upgrde the elev linkage etc,, (not that far back this thread),, good luck u will enjoy it,, post pics.. of course thats just my 2 cents worth

[nuts-n-volts]

Hi Matt. I have 390+ flights on my F-4. Documented. All on 6s. Of course there will be folks who will say 8s is better. Agreed. I am certain it is better. You will get more speed and vertical with the 8. Power management comes into play on either pack. But there is also the charging perspective. Me personally, I like the ease of charging a 6s Lipo and easily taking a few to the field.

The jet flies very scale with 6. Still plenty fast. Big loops, Cubans, etc. You can do anything the real one can do. I do recommend no less than a 6200. This will give a 3.5 minute flight. It can carry weight easily so 7000 packs are not out of the question and of course will produce more flight time. It is a very scale flying jet and is absolutely one of my best favorites. It never fails to impress at the field.

[Matt Mathias]

Hello, I was a f4 plane captain with VMFAT-101 from 83 through 86 in Yuma AZ. I started flying rc planes in 1986 and have been flying EDF'S of all sizes, war birds and sport jets for 4 years. I'm finally going to pull the trigger on this F4 but I have a question for you experienced f4 pilots. Is the performance of the 6S plenty good or do you guys think the 8S Is the way to go? I know these type of questions are subjective and depends on a lot of things. But what does your gut say? I like speed but I don't have to have the fastest, know what I mean? I have plenty of 6S batteries but to run 8S I would have to get some 2 cells or buy some 4 cells. Which is not to big of a deal. If I get the 6S would I regret it and wished I had gotten the 8S? I've never flown 8S but I'm not scared of it. I do value like minded rc pilots opinion. Just having trouble deciding. Thanks in advance fellas.
Regards
Matt

[Maverickpro]

That was my issue also with the nose door dragging the paint off the strut. I'll post something when I get it figured out. Hopefully soon, but I think your right about the c hinge helping to offset the door better.

[Elbee]

Worth a shot? Maybe? I modded the nose gear doors (1:1 scale 3 doors rather than the OEM clamshell 2 doors) for my Freewing Fa-18C Hornet and added the strut door. I used 0.5" brass tubing for the strut door slide and cut it to 0,09" width to slide over the long OEM plastic strut brace. Works fine, but scratches the strut paint a little. Sounds like a good idea to start. Best, Steve

[Maverickpro]

That was my thought also. Only issue is with the gear door pressed against the strut the stand off likes to catch the stepped down part of the strut and bind up. Maybe a piece of brass tube over that portion will help it just slide against the strut.

[Elbee]

Maverickpro,

Would it be possible to hinge the strut door to the fairing just forward with a "C" style hinge?

Then you could add a support to the strut to move the strut door at the angle you show.

Then use a small gauge expansion spring around the strut to hold the door in place which would allow the retract to fully seat closed?

I think that is where I would start to experiment if it were me.

Best, Steve

[Maverickpro]

This is the door and how it's supposed to sit when installed.

[Maverickpro]

Yeah I looked through the thread also, seen some beautiful F4s but nothing in how the nose gear door was attached and functional on the F4E variant. I did contact Chris at rcgeek. Maybe he has a way of doing it. From what I see the nose gear strut when retracted in the up position is very far from that door. So maybe some type of spring or rubber bands will need to be used to keep the door closed. But when the gear comes down that door tilts forward and kind of stand off from the strut. So maybe wire o keep it off the strut when gear is down. Ill get it figured out some way. Just wanted to see if someone built a better mouse trap lol.
thank you again...

[Elbee]

Hi Elbee, no unfortunately I couldn't find a video for his product. I've attached pics of the nose strut door resting on the fairing.

MP, I looked through this thread and could not find references to RCjetdude's F-4E build.

He used The RC Geek "E" 3DP parts and did a fantastic mod.

My only suggestion would be to contact Chris Wolfe and seek some advice.

I do remember RC Jet Dude cut the fairing at the separation lines and glued it to the gear door.

Seemed like a fairly simple task, but I am not the one doing it obviously.

Wanted to be of more help.

Best, LB

[Maverickpro]

Hi Elbee, no unfortunately I couldn't find a video for his product. I've attached pics of the nose strut door resting on the fairing.

[Elbee]

Maverickpro

Welcome to Hobby Squawk.

Doesn't Chris have a video on the website about installing this/his mod?

Without seeing all the other parts, it would be tough to assist.

Best, LB

[Maverickpro]

Hello everyone, I've recently installed rcgeeks F4 E nose and exhaust to my F4. Has anyone done this mod? I'm trying to figure out how to get the nose strut door mounted and operating. Thank you....

[didier n]

Hope this helps

Absolutely!! Thanks a lot!!

[f4u ausie]

When i get home from work

Hope this helps

[f4u ausie]

Wonder who that may be all his planes r presented. Absolutely impeccably

[Hugh Wiedman]

Hey guys!

Quick question.. Whats the best afterburner for the Phantom in your opinion?

Thanks a lot!

My opinion is just a few posts above on the previous page in Post No. 5730 & Post No. 5731. Whomever that guy is that posted those photos and descriptions sure has some awesome F4's!

[f4u ausie]

Can someone give me the dimensions of the stars&stripes on their camo phantom? in mm if possible... I'd like to use the decal sheet for another build i'm doing...

Thanks !

When i get home from work

[didier n]

Can someone give me the dimensions of the stars&stripes on their camo phantom? in mm if possible... I'd like to use the decal sheet for another build i'm doing...

Thanks !