Official Freewing 90mm F-4 Phantom II Thread

davegee · Mar 2, 2024, 05:50 PM

Originally posted by Hugh Wiedman

Thanks Dave, just can't help a "few embellishments", that way if there's another in the air, I can pick mine out pronto!

Although the F4 Blue Angel is a little closer to scheme, but I did use a slightly different blue angel blue because I thought the "real" one was a bit too dark and like usual, wanted mine to "Pop".

You do a wonderful job painting and detailing all your airplanes, Hugh. I look forward to seeing them in pictures and flying shots and videos. You are a consummate artist with great painting skills and I don't blame you at all for a little "Hugh artistry" that is part of the overall look and signature of your stable of aircraft. Carry On, my man!

Cheers

Davegee

Hugh Wiedman · Mar 2, 2024, 05:16 PM

Originally posted by davegee

Great Pics, Hugh!! Your new F-4 in Jolly Rogers paint scheme (with of course, a few Hugh Weidman embellishments) looks awesome!

Cheers

Davegee

Thanks Dave, just can't help a "few embellishments", that way if there's another in the air, I can pick mine out pronto!

Although the F4 Blue Angel is a little closer to scheme, but I did use a slightly different blue angel blue because I thought the "real" one was a bit too dark and like usual, wanted mine to "Pop".

davegee · Mar 2, 2024, 07:31 AM

Originally posted by Hugh Wiedman

After completing and maidening my F4 8S "Jolly Rodgers", I was so impressed with the way it flew that I upgraded another of my older F4's to 8S, the Blue Angel version. This airframe was meant for 8S!!!

Although I felt the 6S with the big 12 blade inrunner flew great, I couldn't believe how much better it flies on 8S, with 5-6 minutes of flight time (no kidding).

The battery bay accommodates the new SMC 8S HiV 5900 pack with ease, with tons of extra room to move where ever needed. The 6S seemed to fly best balanced around 192-194mm, no much further back than manual. However, on 8S, for me at least the real sweet spot is 200-202mm back. Takes off grass in a flash and lands super smooth getting it's nose up just right for landing. Upgraded the F16 with 8s also, another perfect match.

So here's a few photos of the F4 Blue Angle in the attached video (stills only) which also include the F16, F18, F4 Jolly Rodgers, 8S Eurofighter and the Extreme Flight/Aces High FW 190 "Red Tulip". The Blue Angel photos start around :36 in, and the F4 Jolly Rodgers around 4:15 in.

Great Pics, Hugh!! Your new F-4 in Jolly Rogers paint scheme (with of course, a few Hugh Weidman embellishments) looks awesome!

Cheers

Davegee

f4u ausie · Mar 2, 2024, 06:52 AM

Thanx so much Hugh. Great info for my next step forward

Hugh Wiedman · Mar 1, 2024, 10:16 PM

Originally posted by f4u ausie

Absolutely awesome pics. Hugh.. did u change the esc.. or still the 120 amp.. and sound's like the 8s is a single one. Not 2 4s

Yes I did change the ESC, but the original ESC that came in the 6S F4 was the 130 amp ESC. I also had put the 6S 12 blade 4068-1835 Kv inrunner in both F4's some time ago, although I believe that fan is no longer made. Was happy with that original setup for years but when I decided to get another F4 to do the Jolly Rodgers scheme, I went for the 8S version for kicks. After I flew that, I was so impressed with it that I had to upgrade the older F4 to 8S as well and at the same time decided to also upgrade my old F16 (same setup as the 6S F4) so I bought 2 of the 8S 4075-1350 Kv 12 blades (same as in the 8S Eurofighter and 8S F4) when they came back in stock several weeks ago. Their stock lasted less than one week so I'm glad I hit the buy button as soon as they got available. I guess the original 130 amp ESC that came in the 6S version would have still worked, but I went ahead and ordered 2 new ESC's with the 8S fans to be safe, and to have thrust reverse, which of course I never use since I'm on grass.

Those are the new 120 amp reversing ESC's.

In regards to the battery, yes it is a single 8S pack. SMC made several HiV 8S packs when customers requested them. In the Eurofighter I use the SMC 8S HiV 4400 pack weighing 780 gr. In both F4's and the F16, I now use the new SMC 8S HiV 5900 pack weighing 943 gr. He also has those HiV mah packs in 4S, so you can use 2 of them, but it saves a little weight with one 8S (about 35gr) plus you don't need a connector or y cable for the batteries which saves space and hassle and is a lot easier to charge a single battery as opposed to 2. But then you need a charger capable of charging to 4.35 v per cell and one that can charge 8S, so nothing is simple anymore.

All I can say about the F4 on 8S (assuming you can get the right battery pack that is both high in REAL C and still somewhat light in weight), is that once you fly an 8S F4, you won't ever go back to 6S. I feel that the 8S F4 (and 8S F16) are among THE best flying EDF's I have. And I'm not into speed and rarely use full throttle, except on take-off. 5-6 minute flight time on an EDF is Nirvana. Yes my friend, I am in Love!

f4u ausie · Mar 1, 2024, 10:32 AM

Absolutely awesome pics. Hugh.. did u change the esc.. or still the 120 amp.. and sound's like the 8s is a single one. Not 2 4s

Elbee · Feb 25, 2024, 02:26 PM

F22trainer, Congrats,Sir. Welcome to the Phraternity, Brother. Best, LB

F22trainer · Feb 25, 2024, 10:36 AM

Finally picked one up. It is in the project queue, but is a flying model as received. Has some nose and underside wing rash. Top and overall appearance is probably an 8. Will be reading up on this thread before diving in, but I sure like the size and flight characteristics others have demonstrated with theirs. Gotta finish a couple projects first. Namely the Byron Ryan and a Top Flight Corsair. Going after this one “Mr. Jackson” style…

f4u ausie · Feb 22, 2024, 01:34 AM

Hey locharrow found some aussie f4s 4 u

locharrow · Feb 21, 2024, 05:24 AM

Well done f4u...it's only after the breek wetting first few flights that you can really enjoy the beast. My grey lad is no further forward but both weather and my wee bout of sciatica is improving so hope to get back on form soon.

Regarding the reverse thrust problem mk.......be careful, I went down that route with an edf , flicked reverse switch with full power and turned the plane inside out....very difficult repair...

f4u ausie · Feb 20, 2024, 11:56 PM

Hi guys my f4 has 4 flights now... last 2 awsome. Got the setup very close.. absolutely luv it,, but as instructed, keep an eye on elevator bits and bobs..... sooo elevator servo wobbly in its foam home.. have epoxy that 4 couple more flights,, i no part no 4 another hi teck servo ,, but need part no (hopefully ) for linkage etc (dubro)

mkbrower · Feb 19, 2024, 07:38 PM

Thanks for the suggestion, I don't have any throttle mixes. Throttle and reverse trigger are on two different channels. The reverse function does work but only up to 15-20 percent throttle and then it shuts off.

Evan D · Feb 19, 2024, 03:36 PM

Look in your transmitter monitor screen. Sounds like you have your throttle mixed to your reverse channel.

mkbrower · Feb 19, 2024, 03:18 PM

I have a question concerning the ESC and the reverse thrust feature. I'm not sure what is going on but when I close the throttle and select the reverse thrust switch, the motor reverses but when I get over a certain throttle set point it will switch back to forward thrust. This is my first plane with reverse thrust and my radio is a frsky x20s. Hoping someone can help or get me pointed in the right direction. Thanks!

f4u ausie · Feb 14, 2024, 06:44 PM

Awsome pic locharrow. Any time frame of that....,?? Must find some of our Aussie. F4s. Don't forget pics of ya grey one.

And I see now there is a 6 s. 1960 KV available