Official Freewing 90mm F-4 Phantom II Thread

[Robbie9859901]

When you're taxi'g back, was the elevator in a 'neutral' position? If so, it looked like you have a ton of up elevator. Is that correct?

This is takeoff setting about .8" below the line

[jasmith41]

When you're taxi'g back, was the elevator in a 'neutral' position? If so, it looked like you have a ton of up elevator. Is that correct?

[Mud Duck]

The weight that needs to be added to move the balance point aft isn't much percentage wise to the total weight of the a/c. You won't notice much difference in rate of climb with an additional 3-4 oz. of total weight…I have 5 different freewing jets and they all are balanced 3/8" to 1/2" behind the recommended CG. I use a CG balancer, not just fingers. Anyway, that's my theory.

Thanks, I agree and always use a balancer in the shop, I’ll double-check at the field with fingers, but I like precision. Guess we’ll be adding weight. Thanks. 🙂

[Robbie9859901]

The weight that needs to be added to move the balance point aft isn't much percentage wise to the total weight of the a/c. You won't notice much difference in rate of climb with an additional 3-4 oz. of total weight. On a 3D plane this will make a difference, but not on normal jet maneuvers. There is a limit, but the farther back the CG is the less work the elevator had to do. The cg is closer to the main gear and the elevator will have to do less work to get the nose up on takeoff. You will be able to rotate for take off at slower speeds. The same thing happens on landings, Your landings will be slower as the elevator is more affective at slower speeds. After touch down you can hold the weight off the nose wheel better and not break the nose gear axle. I believe that freewing has the recommended CG where they are to protect the customer from taking off too soon with out enough airspeed. I have 5 different freewing jets and they all are balanced 3/8" to 1/2" behind the recommended CG. I use a CG balancer, not just fingers. Anyway, that's my theory.

[Mud Duck]

For what its worth, I put enough lead under the rear compartment where the elevator servo is, to balance as shown. About 1.7" ahead of the gear well. That is behind the recommended cg. The plane take offs and landings can be done at slower speeds with this setup.
Landings here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtlmjuSVczA&t=99s

So, it would seem that you feel it is pretty important to hit that recommended CG mark, even if additional weight is needed?

[Robbie9859901]

For what its worth, I put enough lead under the rear compartment where the elevator servo is, to balance as shown. About 1.7" ahead of the gear well. That is behind the recommended cg. The plane take offs and landings can be done at slower speeds with this setup.
Landings here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtlmjuSVczA&t=99s

[Evan D]

Two things I did... I cut the foam block behind the batteries back about an inch. I repositioned the mixing board back too. Second, I added the 3D printed tail cones. They look great and add a little tail weight. While the F-4 feels heavy picking it up, it has a lot of surface area and doesn't fly heavy.

My 6+2 batteries fit side by side no problem. If yours don't maybe laying one atop the other?

[Mud Duck]

Apologies for a post that is likely answered elsewhere in this thread but I’m posting from an iPhone and the search features don’t work too well in this format.

I direct my question to those with the 8S high performance version of the F-4. I have purchased all of the recommended components and batteries from Motion R/C.

According to the manual, the recommended center of gravity is 190mm or 7.5”. No matter how hard I try to shove things further back, I am still coming out nose heavy and the F-4 is balancing at 7.0” to 7.125”. I absolutely do not want to add more weight to this already heavy model unless it is absolutely necessary for successful flight. Obviously I’m worried about being able to flare for the landing.

Thoughts and recommendations or point me to the post(s) that address this issue. Please and thank-you.

[locharrow]

Oops! Think I put that on the wrong thread. Meant for “What did you fly today”.

.
Nice looking Miss America in the background there..... had the Hanger 9 one with a 120 FS pulling..........boy it could move. :punch::f4:

[Elbee]

Oops! Think I put that on the wrong thread. Meant for “What did you fly today”.

[EA-6B Geek]

Oops! Think I put that on the wrong thread. Meant for “What did you fly today”.

[EA-6B Geek]

A great spring day at Deer Creek State Park. Maidened a new Flex F-100. Multiple flights on the trusty Flex Jet.

[locharrow]

Plane was very repairable and flew again. Had another incident where I just lost orientation that required new fuselage but the old wings, tail feathers and electrics are all still flying. :punch::f4:

[jasmith41]

Sure does............

bummer dude - at least it appears as though the gear is all still intact... 👍

[locharrow]

Sure does............

[jasmith41]

And we need better weather! Dang it.

Flying at a field with a 300' runway and trees is definitely a challenge but it makes us better pilots. Eventually!

indubitably... and more creative when it comes to getting planes out of the trees... #manlift 🤣

[themudduck]

Hugh, another great flight vid - gorgeous bird as well, and i love your rc field - no trees...🤣🤣🤣
I flew in Geneva (MARC field outside of Cleveland) yesterday and had more than my usual issues. The worst one was trying to land the F5 rocketship - i just could slow it down enough (not my day) and once i was able to finally set it down, it was still going so fast that it shot off the side of the runway and bounced up and then into the mud snapping the nose clean off where it connects to the battery compartment. The glue is still drying and i'll be doing some paint and body work later i guess... it didn't even bend the gear, which is more than i can say for the eflite f16 70mm - the weakest gear out there i think. still fun to fly though - i'm better at landing that than the F5. I guess i just need more practice...

And we need better weather! Dang it.

Flying at a field with a 300' runway and trees is definitely a challenge but it makes us better pilots. Eventually!

[jasmith41]

Hugh, another great flight vid - gorgeous bird as well, and i love your rc field - no trees...🤣🤣🤣
I flew in Geneva (MARC field outside of Cleveland) yesterday and had more than my usual issues. The worst one was trying to land the F5 rocketship - i just could slow it down enough (not my day) and once i was able to finally set it down, it was still going so fast that it shot off the side of the runway and bounced up and then into the mud snapping the nose clean off where it connects to the battery compartment. The glue is still drying and i'll be doing some paint and body work later i guess... it didn't even bend the gear, which is more than i can say for the eflite f16 70mm - the weakest gear out there i think. still fun to fly though - i'm better at landing that than the F5. I guess i just need more practice...

[Hugh Wiedman]

We've had our typical windy Spring weather for the last 2 months but did get out Wednesday for a few flights. Winds were constantly shifting and usually resulting in a crosswind, but you have to take what you get or stay home! The FW F4 really is an outstanding flying aircraft and with the 12 blade inrunner, it's got lot's of thrust to take-off from just about any grass surface quickly. More than enough speed for this "Little Old Lady From Pasadena" (in this case Miami) and the vertical is outstanding. This is one of my EDF's that I like to fly first in the day as it helps get my confidence going to fly some of the others. Started out using the bendable Spitfire nose pin when this first came out, but early last year swapped back to the stiffer stock pin and have yet to break it, but there's always tomorrow. This one's been around for a while, but "Takes a Licking and Keeps on Ticking" (a healthy spare parts inventory doesn't hurt either). :hugging:

[GliderGuy]

"forget about the jewelry" I was two years off alcohol till you :face_with_symbols_o bring up jewelry .................:see_no_evil:

There are alternatives:
Example: Cost of divorce = $100k
If you buy 5 planes post divorce but without having to ask permission = $20k per plane

Jewelry might actually be a cheaper solution!

-GG