Official Freewing 90mm F-4 Phantom II Thread

[Hugh Wiedman]

Anyone got a good Home Depot match for the top and bottom of the Grey Ghost version? Looked through hundreds of post and couldn't find them, but fairly certain someone posted them. I just got a 3rd F4, an 8S Ghost Grey and darn if they didn't put the decals on already. Obviously removing the decals is going to scar the base paint and I'm going with a different livery so hoping to paint over the Marines decals at least. I'll give the HD a try anyway, but sometimes ours is hit or miss and I'd like to at least have a starting point. Really wish they wouldn't do that!

[locharrow]

Stuck in a standard size Spektrum analogue servo with gorilla glue....never a problem...survived everything I've thrown at it, trees ,bushes, ridiculously stupid landings (never pilot error) and even crashes but the servo is still working fine and looks as if it will out last me!!
.

[GliderGuy]

I went with the MKS HV69 servo. Note: It is smaller in physical size, so you will need to cut out a piece of thin plywood or carbon sheet and make an adapter plate.

This servo has performed reliably in my P-38, F-4, and MiG-29 <crashed from alpha lock> planes over thousands of total flights. It has plenty of output torque for the F-4.

-GG

[f4u ausie]

Thanx guys. Will get maiden done.. very carefully and change,, fix,,, all of that... I've seen a part no. For the servo. Somewhere.

[rlcamden]

Not only did I change out the servo and pushrod, i added a servo support plate for a little added insurance (https://cults3d.com/:1034029). If you have access to a 3D printer, or someone that can print it for you, I would recommend the same. It was printed in ASA, light and strong.

[nuts-n-volts]

Besides a solid pushrod/ball-joint connection, I would also check the oem elevator servo to foam glue joint. Notorious for getting wonky after a few flights.

[locharrow]

"Maiden next weekend weather dependant.." I'm thinking about changing my hobby to boats..... this is what we had to contend with over the past two weeks....

[GliderGuy]

Maiden next weekend weather dependant... have checked elev linkage,, and everything.. but nervous about that knurled elev shaft.. anybody had the elev slip on that shaft??? Easy to put couple flatspots on that shaft ,, line up so they r even would b fun but doable.. at full elev gota b lota force on that joint just thinkin outaloud again.. likely should read thru this thread ( o boy its long like the corsair thread)

Most common to upgrade the stock elevator hardware. Suggest a 4-40 threaded rod and DU BRO heavy duty connecting hardware for 4-40 rod.

I lost an F-4 using stock hardware…snapped at the ball connecting end.

Good luck on your maiden.

-GG

[f4u ausie]

Maiden next weekend weather dependant... have checked elev linkage,, and everything.. but nervous about that knurled elev shaft.. anybody had the elev slip on that shaft??? Easy to put couple flatspots on that shaft ,, line up so they r even would b fun but doable.. at full elev gota b lota force on that joint just thinkin outaloud again.. likely should read thru this thread ( o boy its long like the corsair thread)

[f4u ausie]

La happy u didnt do major damage,,, i too charge the night b4,, and check it b4 every flight (too easy to mess it up) no maiden yet waiting for new electonics(spektrum nx7e) will need 6 new receivers now.. one on the way... $160 au for one as3x rx.. oh boy... looking 4rwd too no trim req every flight...... anyway.. ive been busy with her make up again... the camo liveries respond well to simple dirtying. Inc yellow missile tips(not sure scale) but i like it

[Evan D]

Charge as close to before you fly as you can, no more than the day before. Do not plug anything in until you are ready to fly, minutes before at most. Check the battery voltage before you plug in, every time. Unplug after flight, immediately. If you do not use the battery discharge it to 3.8V per cell as soon as possible. Do kit vary from this, get in a routine.

[Elbee]

LA, good debrief, it seems most accidents are avoidable. Chock it up to experience and give yourself a "Gibb's Slap" for good measure. Best, LB

[locharrow]

Kat ass trophy today. I had charged the battery a couple of days back, put it in the plane and plugged in the "afterburner" lead, Loaded the beast into the car intending to fly but when I got to the park there were dog walkers. Came back home, left the plane in the car with the burner lead still attached. Went out today great conditions, took off OK but a few seconds into the flight the power just died. Managed to bank it round and "land" but came down heavy on the nose gear. That popped the gear mount out of place. . Checked the battery and the cells connecting the burner were way down to 3.8.Last time I'll be doing that!. Not too bad a repair but spoiled a good run of accident free flights...

[locharrow]

My maiden was unintentional....high speed taxi trial in the park and up it went ! Advice? 75% of throws advised and stick in 20% or so expo with slightly forward CG and you can't go wrong. Don't haul it off early, squeeze it up. Good luck...don't get to enthralled watching it and forget to control it.........easily done......

[f4u ausie]

Long weekend coming up the melboure cup ( your kentucky derby) any way so if weathr good ,, should get maiden done.... the rc geek( chris wolf) has his low rates at aileron 21mm elevator 20 mm ,, agood amount less than the book,,,,,, i will be happy to get up and down( scale ok by me) safely ,, so hopeing for thoughts on reguler flyers rates .. thanx in advance

[locharrow]

While you boffins are on the boil, I set the timing on the new Freewing 1750 at Auto... (YEP 150 ESC) any advice on that?

ps.......... that head slap thing..........my wife always does that and that it is a way of expressing affection ...................

[f4u ausie]

f4u ausie . I call "...a very gentle slap..." a 'Gibbs slap'.

I believe more of a loving wake up call than an act of frustration.

The opposite of "That's okay, you tried, and look here's your 'participation trophy'."

Picture is of "271" Gate Guard at KsANG West Gate, McConnell AFB.

Best, LB

Funny man eellbb always luv your piks

[Elbee]

f4u ausie . I call "...a very gentle slap..." a 'Gibbs slap'.

I believe more of a loving wake up call than an act of frustration.

The opposite of "That's okay, you tried, and look here's your 'participation trophy'."

Picture is of "271" Gate Guard at KsANG West Gate, McConnell AFB.

Best, LB

[f4u ausie]

Havnt checked elev linkage yet,,, but it has a 120 amp esc ,, which suits the 6s..... but does hav the 1350 kv fan.... again not sookin ,, just informing... and its nothing to do with motian,,, should hav 150 amp for 8 s oh well.. all else is good,,, its still the sexyest peice of foam iv ever seen ...... dont think maiden this wend. But nervous slash itchen for the next weekend... so when familiar with 6s flight,,, will need a 150 amp esc... someone at freewing needs a very gentle slap..( na just kiddin)

[Elbee]

f4u ausie, Congratulations. You are going to love that airframe. Check the Elevator linkage. Just sayin'. Best, LB