Official Freewing 90mm F-4 Phantom II Thread

[locharrow]

LB....that is lovely ice sculpture....very surreal in a Picassoe-esque way! One of my "pleasures" is watching my long frozen hose just as it starts to thaw when it begins spitting out a whole pile of ice pellets. Seems to be alive, jumping about as the ice chokes then jerks about......... Well I am retired !!!!!!!! Brought my Grey F4 fuselage up from the garage and have it in the lounge trying to get inspiration..I hope it looks like this when it's finished ...but I doubt it !!! .

[Elbee]

locharrow I feel for you and that is why we have winter projects.

Heatwave here today, 38^oF (That's 3 and third C^o for you), either way it is cold.

Back in the meat-locker after today with single digit lows until Sunday.

We did have a bit of an "OOPS" here at home, "someone" (no names to protect the innocent) left an outside spigot open with the "Y" splitter for the garden hoses closed.

"Y" Splitter is plastic, so it cracked and has been spewing water for at least a day maybe longer. (I thought it was just snow until I looked harder)

Made for a large chunk of ice, so I figure I need to go to the store and get a bottle of Bombay and some Schepp's.

Best, LB

[locharrow]

Looks like your in a field of lettuce there f4u.....We had windless clear blue skies since last weekend, great flying conditions above ground.......6" of snow ON the ground and minus temperatures day and night. Can't even get the get up and go to get up and go down to the hangar to do anything. Had a big flood a few weeks ago and a field was frozen over like a small loch and I was hoping to fly off the ice. I did it years ago with my Maratuka Phantom and it's brilliant but this recent snow put paid to that. Any guys, onwards and upwards.....

[f4u ausie]

I feel the need.. the need 4 na wrong thread just kiddin.. but as always just bored.. great pic i think and hopeing for 3rd flight on sunday(fly day 4 me) well see

[f4u ausie]

Tricky those americans arnt they,,,, great story lb i i dont know a heap about the vietnam war(mostly the aussie stuff) we played our role,, small as it was,, very populer song hear on the radio in the late 80s was called ( he was only 19) its regularly played and still givs me chills

[Elbee]

https://www.themerge.co/p/bolo2024

Phantom Phellows,

Great article from " The Merge" highlighting the 57th anniversary of "Operation BOLO" and Col Robin Olds role.

Also, check out joining "The F-4 Society". Great info and tech manuals of our beloved Rhino. https://www.f4phantom.com/

Best, LB

[davegee]

My guys over our famous Forth Bridge……Edinburgh. Happy New Year lads….hopefully get some flying soon, when my eyes get back into focus after the single malts…..

Aye, the Firth of Forth! I've been there before. Great town, Edinburgh! Even neater pics of the Phantoms in tight formation overhead.

Cheers

Davegee

[nuts-n-volts]

Phine Phantom phormation phlight! Have a great 2024!

[locharrow]

My guys over our famous Forth Bridge……Edinburgh. Happy New Year lads….hopefully get some flying soon, when my eyes get back into focus after the single malts…..

[F4U Corsair]

Thanks, I have the previous stock 9blade 1900kv in mine. The newest version has a 12 blade 1960kv. Just wondering how those two compare to the 12 blade 1835kv & 1750kv. I’m using SMC 5200 and Zeee 6000’s. I would like to try the new SMC 5900’s since they are about the same weight as the 5200’s.

[Hugh Wiedman]

Hugh, what 6s motor are you running in your other two? Happy with the performance? Stock ESC?

I installed the older 12 blade 4068-1835 Kv inrunner with stock 130 amp non reversing ESC immediately when I bought them. Also installed that fan in both F18's and F16. I think they've upgraded that one recently, but I was very happy with that set up in all my 90mm EDF's. Just wanted to try the 8S F4 for comparison, same fan in my Eurofighter. The 6S all fly on either a 840 gr SMC HiV 6200 or even better on the new SMC 740 gr HiV 5900. 🤗

[F4U Corsair]

Hugh, what 6s motor are you running in your other two? Happy with the performance? Stock ESC?

[f4u ausie]

Its just me again.... was talkin to my freind thisarvo..... the one who let me fly his real aircraft..... (was fun) some may remember...and i told him i had flown my f4 phantom maiden..... we talked about that,, and then he proceded to tell me about an f4 that pushed his mate( f4) in 1967 veitnam ,,,, outa nasty airspace... sounded corny ,, but naa true story u tube it...... incredable story...

[davegee]

Thanks Dave, I appreciate it. For some reason I just can't leave anything quite scale, always have to add something that shouldn't be there. I was going to leave this 100% scale but in the end my insanity got the best of me. Can't stop poking the "Scale Police"!

Those embellishments are endearing and a signature to your style! I have always admired your superior painting abilities. Keep it up!

Davegee

[Hugh Wiedman]

Looking Good, Hugh! Another well-done with just a touch of personal embellishments a la Hugh!

Best,

Davegee

Thanks Dave, I appreciate it. For some reason I just can't leave anything quite scale, always have to add something that shouldn't be there. I was going to leave this 100% scale but in the end my insanity got the best of me. Can't stop poking the "Scale Police"!

[davegee]

Obviously I love the 90mm Freewing F4, have 2 of them, both with the 12 blade inrunner. So I just finished a 3rd, this one in 8S. Did the Jolly Rodgers scheme. Unfortunately the Grey Ghost comes with decals applied and tail painted which makes redoing it all the more difficult. Consulted with the "Master Builders" Elbee and davegee on what to do with unwanted decals and both agreed that removing them was almost impossible without damaging the foam, so I took their advice and just painted over them. First I applied some clear Varathane Spar Urethane (same as the MiniWax others use), then primed the area and painted with a decent color match from HD. Would've saved a hell of a lot of time if they just left the decals off but I guess there's more guys out there that just want to put it together and go.

Did this to all the decals:


One thing to watch out for, when I removed the fan to install the afterburners, the wood mounts just fell out. Virtually no glue holding them in. Also strengthened the elevator rods and mounted the servo in tight.



Used a spare 3D cockpit I built out earlier for now, but planning on doing a cockpit specifically for this one, maybe after Christmas. Added a little bit on the underside for visibility but it's ready to go for now, just need some decent weather as the last 2 weeks have been horrible. Most likely won't maiden until after the Holidays as I'm also planning a road trip after Xmas to N Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia. Good things come to those who wait. Just got some of Danny's new SMC 8S HiV 5900 packs for this one, can't wait to try them out, weighing in at 940 gr. The other 2 6S F4's are flying on the SMC HiV 6S 5900's which only weigh 740 grams. They fly awesome on those lighter weight packs so we'll see if the heavier 8S packs seriously hurt the flight characteristics.

Looking Good, Hugh! Another well-done finishing with just a touch of personal embellishments a la Hugh! Looking forward to how it flies when weather improves. Sounds like a nice time to stand down and enjoy a safe, enjoyable holiday trip to North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. Looking forward to videos and/or pics when you do put her up for the maiden!

Best,

Davegee

[Elbee]

Hugh Wiedman, absolutely Top-Notch build, par excellence. Looking forward to your flight reviews.

f4u ausie, when you do the VF-111 Sundowners livery and if you get Callie Graphic vinyl for the graphics, shoot me a PM. There's a couple things about laying those down your should know.

locharrow Aye, and I suppose you'll carry on 'til and through the 2nd.


Merry Christmas to all y'all and to those you hold dear.

Best, Steve

[locharrow]

As usual Hugh you make me feel like I'm flying a third rate hack....however, you have good info on the decal side. Like I said I don't like that skull on my grey lad. I'll paint over it and do something with the avatar I use. It's a vinyl sticker I designed for my GC way back and I still have a few somewhere. Not PC but .That will have to wait till after Hogmanay...(that'll baffle a few) Anyway guys, the goose is getting fat so enjoy Christmas and if anyone tells you not to drink too much.....ask them why not ...then let loose why yes!

[f4u ausie]

Eeellbeee and locharrow always fuuunn pics no awsome pics,, and even better comintary.... hugh as normal that scheme effort etc,, leaves nothing on the table.. absolutely awsome next year will get a second grey one,, i like sundowner or that one,,, next years problem wana get better and do some vids

[Hugh Wiedman]

Obviously I love the 90mm Freewing F4, have 2 of them, both with the 12 blade inrunner. So I just finished a 3rd, this one in 8S. Did the Jolly Rodgers scheme. Unfortunately the Grey Ghost comes with decals applied and tail painted which makes redoing it all the more difficult. Consulted with the "Master Builders" Elbee and davegee on what to do with unwanted decals and both agreed that removing them was almost impossible without damaging the foam, so I took their advice and just painted over them. First I applied some clear Varathane Spar Urethane (same as the MiniWax others use), then primed the area and painted with a decent color match from HD. Would've saved a hell of a lot of time if they just left the decals off but I guess there's more guys out there that just want to put it together and go.

Did this to all the decals:


One thing to watch out for, when I removed the fan to install the afterburners, the wood mounts just fell out. Virtually no glue holding them in. Also strengthened the elevator rods and mounted the servo in tight.



Used a spare 3D cockpit I built out earlier for now, but planning on doing a cockpit specifically for this one, maybe after Christmas. Added a little bit on the underside for visibility but it's ready to go for now, just need some decent weather as the last 2 weeks have been horrible. Most likely won't maiden until after the Holidays as I'm also planning a road trip after Xmas to N Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia. Good things come to those who wait. Just got some of Danny's new SMC 8S HiV 5900 packs for this one, can't wait to try them out, weighing in at 940 gr. The other 2 6S F4's are flying on the SMC HiV 6S 5900's which only weigh 740 grams. They fly awesome on those lighter weight packs so we'll see if the heavier 8S packs seriously hurt the flight characteristics.