Official Freewing 90mm F-4 Phantom II Thread

[Hugh Wiedman]

Finished the repaint of the originally camo version F-4. It's not perfect, but it's definitely unique. Can't wait to see it in the sky!

Nothing Like a Good Set of Teeth on an F4!!

[Elbee]

Finished the repaint of the originally camo version F-4. It's not perfect, but it's definitely unique. Can't wait to see it in the sky!

P2, Nicely done, Sir. She's a beauty. Best, LB

[primodus22]

Finished the repaint of the originally camo version F-4. It's not perfect, but it's definitely unique. Can't wait to see it in the sky!

[Evan D]

Answered in RCG. The only difference is the lead so you may need an extension.

[primodus22]

The nose gear retract servo housing cracked on my Phantom and it allows the nose gear to collapse easily. The pin is fine. Motion call out for the Type E. Can I use a Type D instead? They both fit the same shaft size and look identical from what I can see.

[Coconut]

Did they solve this elevator problem so people don't have to "fix" a new plane? You would think at this price point that would no longer be an issue.

AMEN!!!

[Evan D]

I agree. Too many airplanes need work out of the box.

As far as I know the elevator pushrod has not been upgraded.

[Desertlakeflying]

Did they solve this elevator problem so people don't have to "fix" a new plane? You would think at this price point that would no longer be an issue.

[Elbee]

COB755 Welcome to "the Squawk", glad to have you onboard, Sir. Beautiful repaint on your Phantom & with 8S should be a thrill ride. Best, LB

[Evan D]

Welcome! Thanks for your service Chief!

[Hugh Wiedman]

Hi all,
New guy here. Recently retired from the Navy after 30 years and finally have time for my planes again. Just finishing up this 8S F4 and can't wait to fly it! Getting some stick time on the L39 to knock the rust off before I maiden her. I can't believe how well these planes fly and how far the hobby has come since I was last active!
I have read this thread front to back quite a few times and have applied most of the recommendations, so thanks! This is a great group!

Welcome Back and THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE! Great looking F4 (aren't they all!!!) and you'll love it on 8S. :f4: This is a great forum, someone always available to answer any question and give outstanding advice. 90% of what I know I learned from guys on these threads (the other 10% from screwing up and learning the hard way-much more expensive though).

[COB755]

Hi all,
New guy here. Recently retired from the Navy after 30 years and finally have time for my planes again. Just finishing up this 8S F4 and can't wait to fly it! Getting some stick time on the L39 to knock the rust off before I maiden her. I can't believe how well these planes fly and how far the hobby has come since I was last active!
I have read this thread front to back quite a few times and have applied most of the recommendations, so thanks! This is a great group!

[jasmith41]

Will wonders never cease. Opened up the elevator bays on both F-4's (since it's been raining and no flying) and found that I had already upgraded the control rods and the ball links. Must have done it a while ago during one of my rare lucid moments. Now I know why it's lasted so long! :hugging:

I hate when that happens... but it's also somewhat refreshing to know we still do have some marbles... it's that we forget where we put them that hurts more...🤣🤣🤣
I'm right there with you...

[Hugh Wiedman]

Hi Hugh and Coconut,

Hugh I am happy to hear you will be replacing the FFS ball link!!!!!!

-GG

Will wonders never cease. Opened up the elevator bays on both F-4's (since it's been raining and no flying) and found that I had already upgraded the control rods and the ball links. Must have done it a while ago during one of my rare lucid moments. Now I know why it's lasted so long! :hugging:

[Coconut]

Thanks for the info, everyone. I appreciate it.

[Evan D]

Here is what mine looked like after a few flights, by a few I mean just three... And my replacement.

Mine was an early one and FreeWing may be using the heavier duty ball links that come in some kits like the MiG-29.

[GliderGuy]

Hi Hugh and Coconut,

Hugh - Sorry….The RF choke info was more for the benefit of Coconut. I am happy to hear you will be replacing the FFS ball link!!!!!!

Hi Coconut - You now have the info you asked for and more. The F-4 is a great bird! One final note: You might think she needs to be flown fast on final. NOPE: That’s a mistake that will earn you a busted nose gear pin. She will float in nicely with a touch of power and touch mains first. But, you may want to order a few spare nose gear pins anyway for while you learn to land her.

-GG

[Hugh Wiedman]

GliderGuy OK, OK, I'll replace them! Already have the RF chokes in from your earlier recommendation.

[GliderGuy]

:pleading_face:Oh my gosh Hugh….:scream:

I respect you, man. But a rich poker player you ain’t gonna be.

Your flight #70+ will go like this (ask me how I know)…,

1) Stock ball link snaps (yes snaps in two).
2) FFSs lock full up.
3) F-4 goes into a nose high saber dance
4) F-4 eats dirt
5) Pilot does the WALK OF SHAME to a pile of foam which HOPEFULLY DIDN’T damage something on the ground or injure someone!

Really….The ball link broke!!!!

Don’t fly with the stock elevator ball link unless you love playing a loosing hand. It is a known issue for the F-4!!!!! It is the reason why I am on F-4 #3!

F-4 #1 was lost due to a radio glitch which occurred BEFORE I began using RF Chokes. Search on choke or RF choke and read and learn AND USE THEM on this bird. She benefits from them. I have had no radio issues with the F-4 since installing RF chokes. (Soap box speech).

-GG

[Hugh Wiedman]

Did you do the modifications to the elevator rods, lingages, and servos? If you did or if anyone else did can I please have the parts #? I want the F4. But, haven't bought it because of the modifications that needs to be done to the elevator. If I knew exactly what to buy then I would get the F4.

Definitely a good idea to do the elevator mods, but I like livin' on the edge! I have 2 F-4's and have only beefed up the servo mounts with marine plywood and put a carbon fiber tube over the existing control rod. The ball links and a better servo are great ideas, but I figure I'll commit one of my many "pilot errors" before the elevator "system" causes a problem. If/when it does, I'll at least have an excuse to blame a problem on something other than my own pilot shortcomings. With that said, both F-4s have over 70 flights and no issues yet.

You may also want to change the nose gear pin as some guys are breaking those on landings, causing a whole host of other "repair" issues. I initially replaced mine by modifying a Spitfire 1600mm main axel, which will bend and not break. I did change it back to the stock nose pins about 40 flights ago and have yet to break a nose pin, but then I think I've got the landing technique down a lot better than I did when I first bought these several years ago when they still came with the crummy outrunners (immediately upgraded both to the 12 blade inrunner- but I think the stock 9 blade inrunner is fine, especially if you fly off asphalt). The stock nose pin will actually take a little more abuse without breaking than the Spitfire axel will as it will bend in a landing that the stock pin would not break at. But there is that fine line of just how much force before it does break. I conducted a very scientific experiment :lying_face: using a hammer and noted it takes a lot more force to break the stock pin than it does to bend the modified axel. Just land with the nose up and as slow as you feel comfortable at.