Official Freewing 90mm F-4 Phantom II Thread

[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.

[Elbee]

locharrow ....Hah, Ya got me.

[locharrow]

"When we colonists need to get a closer look.....we get a closer look. Best, LB"

Elbee......When our Buccaneers jockeys flew under the radar...they meant "under" the radar!!

[Elbee]

locharrow When we colonists need to get a closer look.....we get a closer look. Best, LB

[locharrow]

When we Brits come in to land ...we do it with atmosphere.....................

[Elbee]

locharrow . Merry Christmas, too. Best, Steve

[locharrow]

Well done f4u...get it fixed up and now you know the ropes for getting it to fly the way you want it. I was very lucky because I didn't have a nervous build up to the maiden flight. I was doing fast taxi runs in the local park, not my usual site, when myF4 left the ground. I continued and did a circuit, landed OK then went home and changed my pants! Been through several escapades since but it is all in the hobby! Again, well done.

[DCORSAIR]

Done and dusted.... took alot to rotate,, but once up it jumped up.... bit pitch sensative may reduce elev travel but to be honest its ovrall very stable... timer was set at 240.. so down at 3 minuts and 3,8 per cell.. not enuf elev flap mix,, so no flaps on landing.... was a bit fast mayb.... released my flare a bit early ,, and it landed hard,, took out one main gear.. easy fix.. overall very happy.. to b honest the 6s is fast enuf.. cg was 180 not the190 (rich bakers fault)

Glad its in one piece, flight modes work great when it comes to setting up flaps/elev. mix on the maiden. It is a very nice flying F-4 once trimmed and all that, just don't get it to slow in the turns. I had my son film mine when I had it several yrs ago, his first time filming with my phone so its not that good but you can see the downwind and turn to base as well as a stabilized approach I did on that day at sunset, full flaps and trimmed just right it lands very well.

[Elbee]

f4u ausie My congratulations, Sir. Bravo Zulu. Best, LB

[f4u ausie]

Done and dusted.... took alot to rotate,, but once up it jumped up.... bit pitch sensative may reduce elev travel but to be honest its ovrall very stable... timer was set at 240.. so down at 3 minuts and 3,8 per cell.. not enuf elev flap mix,, so no flaps on landing.... was a bit fast mayb.... released my flare a bit early ,, and it landed hard,, took out one main gear.. easy fix.. overall very happy.. to b honest the 6s is fast enuf.. cg was 180 not the190 (rich bakers fault)

[Elbee]

F4uAussie, You will be fine, Sir. Keep power up a bit in your turns. You have much more power than older OEM stock set up. As stated, you will be fine. Best, LB

[f4u ausie]

Its been sh?..t here 2cople good days in the last 2 WEEKS of course only when ya gota go to work.... so off to work again (saturday morn here) and take my batteries to charge. So thisarvo or tmorra mornhoping... ye im sweating...nervous.. crashed 70 mm f35 on maiden but that was 4 years ago(about) way more flying since that howbout a pik of ya newy lockarrow i will also get a grey ghost after xmas arf plus cause i got that 1350 8s looking at me when out in the garage(hanger) which is every day after work... hope all of your weather improves still deciding on scheme ..for the next one i like sundowner,, but we will see.. buy 4 now

[nuts-n-volts]

That's funny, Loch. I had this old begruzzled drunk for a 1st Class Petty Officer on board my aircraft carrier. He'd tell us all these stories about weather conditions on this trip or that ship during those days. Every story ended with, "...and then it got worse!"

[Mark 2]

Miserable...cold..unwelcoming...foreboding...and that is just the wife, the weather is even worse! No flying for a few weeks now, weather and circumstances just ain't right at the moment. Can't see any more flying till 2024. New F4 is finished so I now have two to maiden. Still looking for the video of your maiden f4u aussie, hope that goes well...i.

LOL! Same here, the weather that is!