Official Freewing 90mm F-4 Phantom II Thread

[nuts-n-volts]

I'm with you, LB. The weight indicator tells just me one thing... don't expect anything out of it and be watching for failures. Broken gears or heating up or just plain ceasing to work. Ya gotta be on your toes if you fly them. I will admit, they have gotten better over the years. But, I for one, still don't trust them in anything I really care about. Especially, elevators. Those get changed out every a/c. At least, most planes have 2 aileron servos, so there's that. If you're in doubt, it's always better to replace them and throw them in a box of spares for the prop jobs.

My choices for EDFs and aerobatic... HiTec and ProModeler. As much as I like MKS and Savox, they are just too pricey.

[f4u ausie]

f4u ausie , I hear you, Brother.

Until I bought my first Freewing EDF, I had never read, heard, or seen a servo described only by its' weight.

It does keep things simple but it does little else.

So, I go to my favorite hobby shop and ask the owner, "May have a half a pound of your finest 17 gram servos, please?"

I don't understand that criteria unless you are only buying your servos by the pound, kilo, ton or whatever.

If there is a more logical explanation, someone please enlighten me as I am truly ignorant.

We always differentiated the servos by physical size (Micro, Mini, Standard, etc), inch-ounces of torque, degrees of rotation, and gear materials.

Later by type of motor, coreless for example, and now digital or analog, programmable or not.

The servo weight does little to describe the performance, which is really all I care about.

I just finished pulling out a twitchy 17 gram right aileron servo of the Corsair and replaced it with a 23 gram servo.

What does that tell anyone except I need to add 6 grams of weight to the left wing.

Frankly, I just don't get it.

Best, LB

Or another 23 gram on the other side. MORE WORK. Ye i think the hi teck i put in was called mighty or mini something,,, (no not mini mouse lol)

[Captain Billy]

This was the maiden flight on my Phantom. Love the airplane and had a very good first flight. Bounced the landing a bit, but a few more flights will help make better landing once I get used to the airplane. Love the way it tracks and flies; but, mostly love the way it looks. Almost want to buy a second one in the grey scheme.

[Elbee]

Captain Billy, Nicely done, CB. Best, LB

[f4u ausie]

This was the maiden flight on my Phantom. Love the airplane and had a very good first flight. Bounced the landing a bit, but a few more flights will help make better landing once I get used to the airplane. Love the way it tracks and flies; but, mostly love the way it looks. Almost want to buy a second one in the grey scheme.

Great vid and maiden,, yes its an arrow,looks great i too will get me a navy version at some point.. took me around 6 flights to get elev flap mix just right.. do keep a good eye on elev components(my servo glue joint was loose after 3 flights) hav fun, b safe

[Hugh Wiedman]

This was the maiden flight on my Phantom. Love the airplane and had a very good first flight. Bounced the landing a bit, but a few more flights will help make better landing once I get used to the airplane. Love the way it tracks and flies; but, mostly love the way it looks. Almost want to buy a second one in the grey scheme.

If you do, I suggest the 8S. Loved flying the 6S Phantom so much I had 2, then converted one to 8S and found it incredibly better. Over 5 minutes on an 8S SMC HiV 5900. Then got a grey in 8S and not disappointed. Definitely one of the best flying EDF's out there. Now have an 8S Blue Angel and Jolly Rodgers Phantom. Life is Good!

[locharrow]

Good Mornin' Vietnam ............ Sorry to disappoint you F4 fliers but the king is back ! To cut a long story short.... get up and go went at the start of the year.. wife not so great and old age started to get in my bones but things improving again. Didn't risk the F 4 but took the Pitts out at the weekend with no mishaps so pleased with that.

Good to see Aussie doing well and a new Cap'n Bill flying the beast well. Landing? Come in long , nose high, full flap... control height with power, speed with elv. and you can get it to sit down nice as ninepence..... Very worthwhile practicing that.... way up.... to get the feel.

My grey Marine lad needs a motor and you .... Hugh, are causing me consternation.... 8s set up will empty my wallet.. new motor, esc and batteries.. (usual reaction for a Scotsman when money is mentioned) But, seeing how you and Aussie like the set up I suppose I have to go down that route. Keep up the good work, I have to spend a few weeks getting the garden back into some semblance of order..Have four lawns and six high Leyland hedges to cut so might be a while before I get the beast up again....but the will is back

[Elbee]

locharrow. Welcome Back, Sir. Glad to read you are the mend. Best, LB

[f4u ausie]

Great to hav ya back lock... 8s u will not regret it .. have not flown mine for around 6 weeks,,,, i hate winter... least i dont get the icey cold like lb etc althoght we had minus 1 last week.. long time since thats happened.. global warming,, who nos.. hav fun b safe

[Elbee]

Hugh Wiedman f4u ausie Gentlement, I have a question.

Did either/both of you upgrade your Phantoms to the newer 90mm 12-Blade EDF 6S Power System w/ 3668-1960Kv Inrunner and fly it on 6S before jumping into the "Big Boy" pond of 8S?

I ask as I am considering an upgrade to that power system for my F-4 before this Fall.

I don't mind the original stock setup (2018), but it is pretty soft in the corners for the way I like to fly.

Also, do y'all have other recomendations for 6S?

Best, LB

[f4u ausie]

Hugh Wiedman f4u ausie Gentlement, I have a question.

Did either/both of you upgrade your Phantoms to the newer 90mm 12-Blade EDF 6S Power System w/ 3668-1960Kv Inrunner and fly it on 6S before jumping into the "Big Boy" pond of 8S?

I ask as I am considering an upgrade to that power system for my F-4 before this Fall.

I don't mind the original stock setup (2018), but it is pretty soft in the corners for the way I like to fly.

Also, do y'all have other recomendations for 6S?

Best, LB

Hello steve, hope you and tam r both well. I bought mine as an 8 s setup(only one i could get here at the time) unless i got it direct from upnorth.. which i have done b4... anyways i had no 8 s batts,, so i fitted my 1835 hp innrunner, that was in my mig 17... for first flights,, then changed to 8 S only have 1 set, another on order,, hrb 4s 6000..s as u ve previously seen, its like going from a smallbloch 350 to a bblock 454... awsme ,, the half to three qaurter speed (efficantcy,, ) wrong spelling daa,, is way better, i fly it solid in the turns,, dont want a stall.. but still get 4 min at the full charge of 4.2 down to 3.75 or about.. so pretty happy,, another few weeks will be dry enough for that 4.35 flight.. keep a keen eye on the skys over ozz.. motion did a fan flght wes and a friend,, with the1960 kv .. hewas also impressed..(i still prefer the bblock). No substitute for cubes.. i really am sure for the couple hundred more $$ 8s is the go... and it feels more stable,, about 250 grams extra.. b safe hav fun,,, let us no how ya go,, hows the movin goin??

[f4u ausie]

Steve the fan flight is u tube 5 months ago an f4 red drone cant miss it(shame shooting em down ) maybof int

[Elbee]

f4u ausie, Hey Craig,

Thanks for the information.

An upgraded EDF is what I'm shooting for here.

Possibly, the ESC, but not really needed though 'thrust reverse' seems to be 'the thing' and a nice option.

We'll see.

As for our move, some things have changed, so for the time being, we are staying put.

I am less bothered by that fact than 'she whose authority exceeds my rank', but I must tread lightly.

They say, "All things come to he who waits" or in this case 'she'.

I was taught and believe that patience is a virtue, so I'll sit back and observe, as always.

Best, Steve

[Hugh Wiedman]

Hugh Wiedman f4u ausie Gentlement, I have a question.

Did either/both of you upgrade your Phantoms to the newer 90mm 12-Blade EDF 6S Power System w/ 3668-1960Kv Inrunner and fly it on 6S before jumping into the "Big Boy" pond of 8S?

I ask as I am considering an upgrade to that power system for my F-4 before this Fall.

I don't mind the original stock setup (2018), but it is pretty soft in the corners for the way I like to fly.

Also, do y'all have other recomendations for 6S?

Best, LB

Steve,
I upgraded to 8S on my F4 from the 6S 12 blade 4068-1835 Kv inrunner, so not sure how the 3668-1960 compares. Had a Camo and Blue Angel F4 on the 1835 inrunner, which was a nice upgrade from the stock 1750 outrunners, but my Camo version had over 150 flights (and had taken a beating) and decided to replace it with the stock grey 8S to do the Jolly Rodgers. That's the 8S 4075-1350 Kv 12 blade with 8S 120 A reversing ESC (which I don't use on grass, only the occasional asphalt flight). If you believe RC Castle's thrust figures, the 2 6S 12 blades (1835 & 1960) are about the same at 4400 & 4200g static thrust respectively, so not sure the 1960 will do it for you. The 8S, on the other hand is around 5300g of static thrust.

After I flew the new 8S F4, I was so impressed that I bought the same fan/ESC for the F4 Blue Angel and my old F16 (which also had the 6S 1835Kv inrunner) and it was a drop in fit for both. On the F4, what a huge difference it made, now arguably one of my favorite EDF's. On 6S, the best balance point for me was around 192mm (close to manual) and it was soft in the corners and needed full throttle for loops. No longer! I found that the 8S flies better around 202mm and I'm rarely at full throttle, except getting off the grass, which now is almost immediate. The 8S fan has plenty of punch and is much more responsive around mid throttle than the 6S. I rarely even go to full throttle doing Cuban 8's, loops or Spit S's. At that balance point, it also seems to land much easier and almost floats in, allowing me to get and keep the nose up about 10-15% on landing without worrying about stalling (which I occasionally did in the corners on landing approach). This F4, IMO is absolutely made for 8S. The battery bay is huge and using a 930gr SMC 8S HiV 5900 gives me at least 5 minutes while I still have about 1 1/2 inches that I could (but won't) move the battery back, with no lead added to the tail. The little extra weight in the fan and battery seems to make it fly even smoother.

I also got the same setup and upgraded my FW F16 and that was a very nice upgrade. Almost as nice as the F4, but not quite. This is the same fan that's in my 8S Eurofighter as well, but the F4 actually flies better IMO. Was thinking of upgrading my F18's, but they seem to fly very well on the 6S 1835Kv fan and I suspect any extra weight in that airframe would not be advisable. Heard someone put that fan in their F18 but haven't heard any update.

So I highly recommend you upgrade your F4 to the 8S instead of trying the 6S 1960Kv fan. You will not regret it. If you do, I'll always take it off your hands for a small fee!

[Elbee]

Hugh Wiedman. Great insight and debrief. I thank you. I will put some thought on this. From upgrade to hyper-mode. I like it. Best, LB

[f4u ausie]

Hello team melbourne has had a winter dry spell( one week).. so desperate me... made that 4.3 volt per cell flight... awsome clear sky no wind.. around 60 degrees f 15 c ... flew for 4 minuts 30 seconds... on land at 4.8 per cell.. flewit hard.. its a faaasst thing if u want(it likes it).... but a bit pitch sensative ,, after changing the elev servo.. the elevator end is on the inner hole ,, will change to outer.. my mistake,, any way went well,,,,, gota get those batteries,,, one flight per day ,, not enuf to get used to any( man woman or Beast)

[Reptielenfreak]

How does this jet fly compared tot he f22 90mm?

[Elbee]

f4u ausie, great debreif and happy you got through your check flight with no issues. Congrats, Mate. Best, LB

[f4u ausie]

How does this jet fly compared tot he f22 90mm?

I dont own an f22 , but from what i understand its like a 90 mm trainer( so pretty easy)

[Reptielenfreak]

I dont own an f22 , but from what i understand its like a 90 mm trainer( so pretty easy)

I know i have a 90mm f22. so how does this phantom fly compares to the f22? Is it easy flyer, is it a heavy flyer, does it take off fast etc.