Official Freewing 90mm F-4 Phantom II Thread

[f4u ausie]

Flew it again this morning.. early.. mother's day here... pushing the CG back a bit.. as hugh suggests... Was nose heavy at 180. .
Pushed back to factory 190(small increments).. did land easy.... Went back too 200 next flight but nose gear collapsed b4 rotateing.. new req.. have had them apart plenty.. happy with the progress will keep perfecting b safe

[Hugh Wiedman]

Ty, Sir! Knowing how my 6s flew, that's the reason I started where I did. Once I have it through it's paces a bit more I will probably try moving it back. If it flies any better than right now, I will put it in the same class as my 90mm F-22, which flies like a 100mph trainer... lol

I'm with you brother! Other than my Mig 29 with TV, the 8S F4 is my favorite EDF to fly and definitely flies like a trainer for me, in any wind conditions or direction. Never have to be concerned about landing, even in questionable weather. Always the first up when I go to the field just to settle any nerves. And I never thought I would have felt like this even after several years on 6S.

[apmech1]

Outstanding looking F4 and congrats on the maiden. This baby is made for 8S!!! Had same thoughts/feelings on 6S, but on 8S everything was superb.

I used to fly the 6S balanced at 184mm, any further back and it stalled easily. On 8S, both my F4's fly much better at 198-200mm. More neutrally balanced in flight and landings with full flaps are much easier, resulting in a consistent nose up touchdown. Part of that was also helped by the new AR8360T Plus RX. Went to 200mm on the old non-plus RX and it was also better, so IMO, don't be afraid to ease the balance back as 182mm is definitely nose heavy and it glides level without power better further back and is much more responsive. Just my 1 1/2 cents, probably not even worth 2.

Ty, Sir! Knowing how my 6s flew, that's the reason I started where I did. Once I have it through it's paces a bit more I will probably try moving it back. If it flies any better than right now, I will put it in the same class as my 90mm F-22, which flies like a 100mph trainer... lol

[dawhale]

Looking for a set of drop tanks with the attachment fixtures for the F4, camo.

PM me the details.

Thank you

[Hugh Wiedman]

I just maidened my 8s yesterday. I was nervous due to the increased weight over my 6s version. My 6s version seemed sluggish until it got up to speed. Not this thing.... it had gobs of power. My cg is at 182mm. My first approach was misaligned so I had to go around. Added power and the plane just climbed out like it was shot out of a cannon. Next approach went without incident. The plane 'felt' much lighter than my 6s.

@f4 ausie,
I too cut a small hole in the bottom of the fuselage because my cockpit was doing the same thing.

It definately likes full flaps on landing. I only give full flaps once I turn final. My flaps take 2 seconds to go from up to 1/2 and 2 seconds 1/2 to full flaps.
it takes 1 second each setting on retraction.

Outstanding looking F4 and congrats on the maiden. This baby is made for 8S!!! Had same thoughts/feelings on 6S, but on 8S everything was superb.

I used to fly the 6S balanced at 184mm, any further back and it stalled easily. On 8S, both my F4's fly much better at 198-200mm. More neutrally balanced in flight and landings with full flaps are much easier, resulting in a consistent nose up touchdown. Part of that was also helped by the new AR8360T Plus RX. Went to 200mm on the old non-plus RX and it was also better, so IMO, don't be afraid to ease the balance back as 182mm is definitely nose heavy and it glides level without power better further back and is much more responsive. Just my 1 1/2 cents, probably not even worth 2.

[f4u ausie]

Apmech. Congrats on the maiden,s... Thanx 4 the feedback nice to no I'm not the only one that noticed the canopy thing.. I'm sure the off idle grunt is better..
I've got around 35 flights on it now.
Last week's was the first off my new grass field.... The minor landing damage is close to fixed now.. I too hit full flaps just on final.. shoulda done that last week , will only fly in light winds now(scaredy cat me) keep us up to date..
Hav fun b safe

[apmech1]

I just maidened my 8s yesterday. I was nervous due to the increased weight over my 6s version. My 6s version seemed sluggish until it got up to speed. Not this thing.... it had gobs of power. My cg is at 182mm. My first approach was misaligned so I had to go around. Added power and the plane just climbed out like it was shot out of a cannon. Next approach went without incident. The plane 'felt' much lighter than my 6s.

@f4 ausie,
I too cut a small hole in the bottom of the fuselage because my cockpit was doing the same thing.

It definately likes full flaps on landing. I only give full flaps once I turn final. My flaps take 2 seconds to go from up to 1/2 and 2 seconds 1/2 to full flaps.
it takes 1 second each setting on retraction.

[f4u ausie]

Flew this bad boy yesterday.. windier than I thought.
1 only. .. got off the grass super quick.. I'm sure that little cheater helped off idle ,grunt.. overall not much,, different.. the mistake was landing with only 1 flap setting and way to fast...(Shoulda gone around).. so bouncy bounce,,and ripped out gear from the rh wing,, 1 aileron pushrod,and flap needs some epoxy... Reckon it needs those full flaps,, to slow it down...
I'm always nervous turning to final(don't want to stall).
Overall glue and a bit of solder. Req.. could of been way worse have fun b safe

[Hugh Wiedman]

Hugh Wiedman

NAS Key West has a VF-101 Grim Reapers F-Phour Phantom Gate Guard, except it's not your outstanding CAG Bird livery.

Best to you and your lovely and talented,

LB

Nice.
Had a buddy I went through post graduate with who was a captain just south of Miami at the Homestead Airforce Base. They still have an F4 on a pedestal just outside on US 1. He was in charge of the Flight Simulator. Never was able to get inside the simulator but he did give me plenty of tours of the base and aircraft. They are still flying F16's and F22's there and we occasionally get buzzed by them up in Miami-the jet roar is incredible!!

[Hugh Wiedman]

Hugh,
Love the liveries!
Mine is 8s as well. Mine weighs 4.3 Kgs. I was wondering how much yours is weighing in at?

I actually have no idea. I do know that the SMC 8S 5900 HiV weighs in at 970 gr and I'm sure the aircraft must weigh similar to yours with the slight addition of the 3D printed cockpit parts, the RC Geek twin burners and the aluminum A/C tape in the exhaust nozzles. Balanced about 10-15mm behind manual cg of 190 and it gets off grass runways with no headwind lickety split, in less than 100 feet.

[apmech1]

apmech1 your F4 and son's F18 Red Devil's are outstanding, congratulations to both of you. And Rex, how about a "Key West" Sundowner version! And What the Hell is That?



" Hey, that's not a Real livery" But then what did you expect from the King of fake liveries. Some Mothers do have them and there's an idiot just around every corner!

I have tried to appease the Gods and atone for my blasphemous ways by doing 2 more "traditions" schemes, so maybe the therapy is starting to reap rewards. The F4 is probably my most enjoyable EDF to fly and on 8S, with an SMC 8S HiV V2 5900 and the Plus RX, it just can't be beat!

Hugh,
Love the liveries!
Mine is 8s as well. Mine weighs 4.3 Kgs. I was wondering how much yours is weighing in at?

[Elbee]

Hugh Wiedman

NAS Key West has a VF-101 Grim Reapers F-Phour Phantom Gate Guard, except it's not your outstanding CAG Bird livery.

Best to you and your lovely and talented,

LB

[jetfool]

Wildman,
I love your paint schemes. This is a hobby and each of us expresses models in our own way. I enjoy painting my models to represent a particular plane and the FW Navy F-4 OEM version is very nice out of the box, but I like the sundowner scheme and may try the Dave Platt method of painting all the details instead of graphics. More work and patience to do. My friends sometimes think I'm nuts for doing this, but our winters are long and it's enjoyable. I respect your advice and will be asking a lot of questions before the first flight.
Best Regards, Rex

[Hugh Wiedman]

apmech1
Again, your models are fantastic. I am considering doing the Sundowners paint scheme.

Best Regards, Rex

apmech1 your F4 and son's F18 Red Devil's are outstanding, congratulations to both of you. And Rex, how about a "Key West" Sundowner version! And What the Hell is That?



" Hey, that's not a Real livery" But then what did you expect from the King of fake liveries. Some Mothers do have them and there's an idiot just around every corner!

I have tried to appease the Gods and atone for my blasphemous ways by doing 2 more "traditions" schemes, so maybe the therapy is starting to reap rewards. The F4 is probably my most enjoyable EDF to fly and on 8S, with an SMC 8S HiV V2 5900 and the Plus RX, it just can't be beat!

[Elbee]

f4u ausie

IMHO, That is a brilliant solution, Sir.

Best, LB

[f4u ausie]

Does not suck down at higher throttle settings.. dumba?? Me
. Mr technology

[f4u ausie]

[f4u ausie]

Hey guys just brainstorming again... Cut a small inch by inch cheater in the bottom front... this is 8 s. Lotsa airflow... As previously described by me. At 80 percent throttle the canopy sucked down.. making me think a cheater hole may be advantageous.. never noticed that on 6 s.... So here it is... Have not flown this at my new club. (Field).. so will test next weekend.. couple pics. I fgot after this mod.
The canopy does not suck down at her throttle settings

[apmech1]

apmech1
Again, your models are fantastic. I am considering doing the Sundowners paint scheme. Did you remove all the stickers on your phantom or did you prime over the top of everything? I want a smooth surface to paint over.

Best Regards, Rex

Thanks Rex,
Unfortunately most of the decals that come on the model are water slide. I tried the ice cube trick and other methods with no success. I ended up sanding the water slide decals down to remove the film. It seems the film comes off before the pigment. I payed close attention to the areas over panel lines. I lightly sanded the entire model. Then sprayed everything but the bottom in a light gray rustoleum ultra matte primer. Until no other color showed through, wet sanding between coats 600 grit, 800 grit then 1000 grit. I wish I would have filled the panel lines like TheRCGeek. There is probably better topcoat paint to use, I used acrylic latex paint from Lowes thinned with alcohol and shot with an airbrush. The bottom, I did the same process but used white rustoleum primer.

[jetfool]

apmech1
Again, your models are fantastic. I am considering doing the Sundowners paint scheme. Did you remove all the stickers on your phantom or did you prime over the top of everything? I want a smooth surface to paint over.

Best Regards, Rex