Freewing 90mm F-22 Raptor - Official Thread

[xviper]

Hugh, how do you manage to center the plane so well while it's flying around?

[Hugh Wiedman]

Hugh, how do you manage to center the plane so well while it's flying around?

That's the excellence of the photographer, Marvin Alvarez!! Fortunately, he's one of my best friends! He uses a Cannon with auto focus zoom lens. Occasionally I'll crop some of his photos to center it, but on this set (actually took over 70 photos), virtually every one was dead center (the first on landing was cropped). He also happens to be one of the best modelers in South Florida and the absolute best pilot I've ever seen. He and his father build and design mostly large turbine aircraft for clients all over, including the Caribbean and South America, and he is always in charge of their maiden flights and trimming them out.. When Top Gun was still operating, their work usually won many of the scale competitions. He also helps build/paint/set-up members large gas warbirds, especially WWI Bi-Planes. He designs and prints his own graphics. And the majority of our 250 club members who have large expensive turbines have him paint and set them up and always maiden them! He is also a rep for BVM Jets and travels all over the South to serve as "Air Boss" at many of the big jet events.

That's a long way to say he really knows RC Flying which helps him position and anticipate where to take the best photos. He gives me a series of very specific flight moves/orientations/speeds/elevations before and during the flight so he can get the exact photo he wants. I've been taking some of his photos when he maidens his large creations, but I'm not as proficient at centering as he is, but I'm working on it!

I'm actually an X-semi-professional underwater and wildlife photographer back in my "early" years, so I have a decent feeling of how the plane needs to be oriented for a decent shot. Many of my photos were published and even have a series of photos in the Library of Congress (but that was another life time). I find it excellent piloting practice to have someone call out to you requesting the aircraft be at a certain place in a certain orientation while you're flying. Breaks with my kinda pre-set regular flight plan and maneuvers and forces me to think "on the fly" (pun intended).

[xviper]

Hugh, you have friends in HIGH places, but then, you're pretty "famous" yourself. Been following your adventures for years now.

[Hugh Wiedman]

Finally got the Maiden in of the Freewing 90mm 8S Royal Netherlands "Red Lion". Flies awesome on 8S with either a SMC HiV 8S 4900 or 5900. Over 5 minutes on the 4900 and with elevons, incredibly nimble. I LIKE IT!!!




Video of the Adventure:

[Airguardian]

Awesome stuff Hugh!!

Here goes some more Raptor love:

[Husafreak]

I’ve been flying mine regularly for a few years now. I’d have to pull the fan out to see what is in there but it’s the original 6s version. Which means I probably have a 9 blade fan and 3748-1750kV motor. I wonder if there are better EDF units available for it now? Like the current 12 blade fan with 3668-1960Kv brushless inrunner motor? Any favorite “drop in” fans out there?

[Evan D]

The 1960 is a better fan stock but not much and many fly the 9b on 7 and even 8S with a ESC change (I have not done this). My opinion is all the 90's should be 8S and the latest 8S FreeWing fan is an awesome unit.

My history. First was with a JetFan/ HET on 8S, that was destroyed in an awesome midair. Second got the JF/HET. Sold that when it got a little beat up and the Third is what I'm flying now with the latest FW 8S. I bought #4 as a back up and sold it when they announced the V2 but I just bought #5 which is what you have, the older 6S, too good a deal not to buy it.

I’ve been flying mine regularly for a few years now. I’d have to pull the fan out to see what is in there but it’s the original 6s version. Which means I probably have a 9 blade fan and 3748-1750kV motor. I wonder if there are better EDF units available for it now? Like the current 12 blade fan with 3668-1960Kv brushless inrunner motor? Any favorite “drop in” fans out there?

[Husafreak]

Thanks, I love the simplicity of the 6s and I have newish 6s 6000’s and no 8s. I guess I’ll leave it the way it is. I gotta pull the fan and balance the rotor though, it has an off balance howl that is partly cool and partly just wrong. LOL

[Evan D]

I just noticed you said the older 3748-1750kV. That was the outrunner with metal shroud. Then they had the 1900 in runner and now the 1960. That old outrunner was really a poor set up. I thought you were talking the 1900 9 blade.

[xviper]

FYI for those who haven't seen this ............................ Current F-22 90mm discontinued. V2 on the way.

https://www.freewingmodel.com/929.html

[Evan D]

When they announced it a few month’s ago I sold my spare one. Got a good bunch of rubles for it. This week a local person had a new 6s one they bought and never flew for sale super cheap so now I have another spare.

[shortround91]

I have my 10s I run on duel 4000-5200 SMC or CNHL packs have been waiting on a V2 hopefully the trend quick disconnect wings. My plan is to keep my highly modified V1 EDF but convert the V2 to the XiCoy 45 turbine. I’ve kicked around going turbine with the V2 F16 but think the Raptor will be a better candidate. Flight times are pretty good for 10s 4-5 min throttle based of course but such a great airframe. Here’s my custom 80 on 8s also

[Hugh Wiedman]

I have my 10s I run on duel 4000-5200 SMC or CNHL packs have been waiting on a V2 hopefully the trend quick disconnect wings. My plan is to keep my highly modified V1 EDF but convert the V2 to the XiCoy 45 turbine. I’ve kicked around going turbine with the V2 F16 but think the Raptor will be a better candidate. Flight times are pretty good for 10s 4-5 min throttle based of course but such a great airframe. Here’s my custom 80 on 8s also

Love the "Tiger" F22!!!

[shortround91]

Love the "Tiger" F22!!!

Thank ya, all airbrushed by me now need this weather to warm up having flying withdrawals

[Hugh Wiedman]

Thank ya, all airbrushed by me now need this weather to warm up having flying withdrawals

Take a trip south to sunny Florida. We've got our E-Fest Event this February 20th-22nd, and as Co-Chair, you're invited! No need to bring any aircraft, I'll be taking over a dozen prop and EDF's and you can fly any of those at your convenience!

[shortround91]

Take a trip south to sunny Florida. We've got our E-Fest Event this February 20th-22nd, and as Co-Chair, you're invited! No need to bring any aircraft, I'll be taking over a dozen prop and EDF's and you can fly any of those at your convenience!

Would love to, just finished the bottom of the 80 Raptor. We’ve been stuck with snow cold crazy winds with more snow coming tomorrow ( yuk ) I can’t decide if I should add some color to the bottom or not yet

[Airguardian]

Xicoy announced that they are discontinuing the X45 and would only make 60 more... if you want one better send them a mail FAST.

[shortround91]

Xicoy announced that they are discontinuing the X45 and would only make 60 more... if you want one better send them a mail FAST.

From what I’ve heard is of course the 45 is gone but they will be replacing with a 50 size, who knows when that will debut. I just ordered the EnJet 86 for another project and found a XiCoy 45 from a private seller I’ll finish up the purchase on Monday. Hopefully 3 turbine will cover me until next year.

[Airguardian]

Yep, Xicoy just announced their new X52 which basically shares sizes with the 45.

[shortround91]

Yep, Xicoy just announced their new X52 which basically shares sizes with the 45.

I got super lucky have another XiCoy 45 arriving today new in the box for $1800, still waiting on the EnJet 86 to ship but that’s for a future project