Official Freewing 90mm F-15C Eagle Thread

[SanExup]

I've actually seen it fly well. I don't have one but a friend does. I can't comment on it not flying heavy but after watching him fly it a few times, it looks like a fun one to fly. Takeoffs and landings were smooth. Inverted fligh, easy. He flew it stock. I wonder what the newer power system would do for it.

Also, I would think 8s would be the wrong direction weight wise.

[MikeT]

It's heavy and fly's like it's heavy. While I love the look of it there's no way it's a favorite to fly. I tried a 8s set up and it just added weight. Now were at 3700 FT. so that also makes a difference.

Mike

[bylawes]

Howdy All. I just ordered the F-15, but then I had a friend tell me this bird is way overweight and underpowered. He said it's nearly 3 pounds heavier than other planes with the same power system. I looked at the specs and it seemed like it was of similar weight. I don't fly crazy, I just like stuff that looks scale and flies well getting up and down. Should I keep it or send it back for something that doesn't require a lot of modifications to get it to fly well. Thanks!

[DCORSAIR]

Finally got some ghost testing and numbers. Did total of 6 flights today, 5 of which were tested and recorded in similar flights.

I changed the nozzles to custom made kit bash of F-15 and F-18. I ended up with 55mm per nozzle.

I switch between the 1900kv 9 bld unit and the 1960kv 12 bld units.

I used 6000 50c 6s HRB’ and 5000 50c 6s HRB’s.

My test flights were all conducted the same. Take off heading south, climb out to the right, level off in down wind backing off to 60% throttle, turning base to final and level off going upwind down the runway to the south and punching to full throttle. Hold full throttle until banking right to head back down wind. At this point I cross over and do figure 8 changing direction, now heading south back field back to 60% throttle, banking left to head north down the runway (about 25’ AGL) punching to full throttle, this time end of runway I go vertical keeping full throttle until it falls out. I the let it glide back down to level off again about 25’AGL now heading south. I punch it full throttle and at the south end of runway I go vertical again until it falls out.
After that I drop back down fly three right hand circuits. One is a cool down about 50% throttle, second is gear check, third is half flaps dropping full on final.

One test I had two bad approaches because of wind gust. That’s why the longer flight time. My timer is set to 3 minutes, but I also use battery cell call outs.

Results.
1960kv 12bl
1, 6000 flight ended 33% left
Wind: 2.5 SSE, top speed recorded 103 mph, top altitude 270’ AGL, time 3 minutes.

2, 5000 fight ended 30% left
Wind 2.5 S, top speed 108 mph, top altitude 367’ AGL,
Time 0:02:50 .

3 5000 flight ended 22% left
Wind 3 SSE, top speed 104 mph, top altitude 496’ AGL, time 0:03:30

1900kv 9 bl

1, 6000 flight ended 28% left
Wind 3.5 S, top speed 102 mph, top altitude 227 AGL, time 4 minutes

2 5000 fight ended with 32% left
Wind 3.5 S , top speed 98.6 mph, top altitude 397’ AGL, time 3 minutes.

I am happy with what I got out of my nozzle mod and the new 1960kv 12bl until.

Gravy

Sounds like a winner now for sure, good to see performance improvements on the F-15 that actually work........

[Gravythe clown]

Finally got some ghost testing and numbers. Did total of 6 flights today, 5 of which were tested and recorded in similar flights.

I changed the nozzles to custom made kit bash of F-15 and F-18. I ended up with 55mm per nozzle.

I switch between the 1900kv 9 bld unit and the 1960kv 12 bld units.

I used 6000 50c 6s HRB’ and 5000 50c 6s HRB’s.

My test flights were all conducted the same. Take off heading south, climb out to the right, level off in down wind backing off to 60% throttle, turning base to final and level off going upwind down the runway to the south and punching to full throttle. Hold full throttle until banking right to head back down wind. At this point I cross over and do figure 8 changing direction, now heading south back field back to 60% throttle, banking left to head north down the runway (about 25’ AGL) punching to full throttle, this time end of runway I go vertical keeping full throttle until it falls out. I the let it glide back down to level off again about 25’AGL now heading south. I punch it full throttle and at the south end of runway I go vertical again until it falls out.
After that I drop back down fly three right hand circuits. One is a cool down about 50% throttle, second is gear check, third is half flaps dropping full on final.

One test I had two bad approaches because of wind gust. That’s why the longer flight time. My timer is set to 3 minutes, but I also use battery cell call outs.

Results.
1960kv 12bl
1, 6000 flight ended 33% left
Wind: 2.5 SSE, top speed recorded 103 mph, top altitude 270’ AGL, time 3 minutes.

2, 5000 fight ended 30% left
Wind 2.5 S, top speed 108 mph, top altitude 367’ AGL,
Time 0:02:50 .

3 5000 flight ended 22% left
Wind 3 SSE, top speed 104 mph, top altitude 496’ AGL, time 0:03:30

1900kv 9 bl

1, 6000 flight ended 28% left
Wind 3.5 S, top speed 102 mph, top altitude 227 AGL, time 4 minutes

2 5000 fight ended with 32% left
Wind 3.5 S , top speed 98.6 mph, top altitude 397’ AGL, time 3 minutes.

I am happy with what I got out of my nozzle mod and the new 1960kv 12bl until.

Gravy

[wvrailfan]

A flying buddy at my club recently picked up the F-15. It is a beautiful looking model and seems to fly great. I managed to take some photos for him this evening and thought the model could pass for an Air Force recruiting tool ;-)

Well done Freewing!

JB

[Gravythe clown]

Well didn’t get to do any gos testing today, but I did take it up one time with the 6000 HRB. Not going to add any more than I noted two notable improvements, no data to back it up just how it felt and looked.
take off felt much more alive, like it had authority and the vertical impresses myself and my buddy watching it.

I was hoping to get 4 flights today but the wind had other plans. I almost didn’t even take it up the one time I did, but I just couldn’t resist.

Now I’m really looking to get some test results.

Gravy

[Gravythe clown]

Nozzles all done. Now just need to test them out.

Gravy

[Radar-Guy]

After doing that did you keep the cheater grate or close it off?

Gravy

Mostly closed, just two or three slots left open for ESC cooling. Intake area to feed the fan is sufficient.

Frank

[Gravythe clown]

After doing that did you keep the cheater grate or close it off?

Gravy

[Radar-Guy]

Here’s my simple 3d printed solution plus another mod to the intake you might consider.

[Gravythe clown]

I’m currently in the middle of a nozzle mod. I’m combining the stock nozzle base with the last part of the F-18 nozzle.
the foam opening on the Fuse is 60mm the opening at the end of the stock nozzles are 65mm. The opening on the F-18 nozzles are 55mm.
I’ll test unit again with GPS with both EDF units again after I get the nozzles done.
interesting note, the new F-15EX have similar nozzles to what I’m making.

Gravy

[Aros]

The F-15 is probably my favorite old gen Freewing 90mm. Just a delight to fly, even though heavier than some of the newer gen models. Great looks, great flight characteristics, easy to land. A jewel.

[The43rdHammer]

Evening gentlemen (and ladies if there are any),

Just a quick post to report back that my maiden flight with the F-15C went very, very well.

I got it ARF+ and put the F-4 Phantom 8S power plant in it, which for reference is a 12 Blade EDF with a 4075-1390Kv Inrunner Motor and 150A ESC. Flown on 2x HRB 4S 4200.

I thought it might be a bit of a handful, but she flew perfectly, absolutely viceless and looked great in the air.

As reported, she lands quicker than other models, but that being said I didn't especially struggle with it and the landing gear is great.

If, like me you're looking for something a little different to try, I can thoroughly recommend her

I was on my own at the time, so here are a few ground shots of her:

[Gravythe clown]

I did some testing today with my F-15. I switch between the 9bl 1900kv and the 12bl 1960kv both using 6000 HRB and 130A esc.
both test were done the same. Take off climb to about 50’, do one full circuit at 60% throttle, after finishing base the second time I punch it flat level. I hold that old til I make my turn to down wind. Then back off to 60%.
that recorded top level speed.
next pass as I’m half way down the strait still 50’ I again punch it and this time after about 100’ flat level I pull ba k and go vertical until she drops off.
After this I flew a cool down lap of 50% and land.

GPS reading:
9bl 1900kv, 88 mph recorded high speed and hit 322’

12bl 1960kv, 92 mph recorded high speed and hit 428’.

Next time out I’ll do same test using 5000 HRB,

Gravy

[Aros]

I really loved my F-15 years back. Like many of those first gen 90mm's, they are overall good flyers but they need to go on a diet. I only wish the A-10 took just one 6S. Outside of that, it's the best EDF jet I've ever flown.

[spcboarder]

Go for the A-10 it is such a good flyer! Handling and reloading 2 Batteries can be a bit challenging, but it fully pays off. The A-10 is by far the plane I fly the most because it is that good and it looks so good in the air.
Br, spcboarder

[rlcamden]

Thank you, excellent input to consider. The one thing I have seen on the A-10 is the nose gear needs to be changed to avoid "bronco" landings. They don't sound pleasant.

If you can avoid landing the nose first and settle it down on the mains, no need to change the nose gear out. Move your CG aft a little to help with the flare and you will be good to go. A tip I'll share I use when landing EDFs. If your controller has a timer start beep when you advance beyond 25%, use that as your landing throttle setting. On final, cut throttle than advance it until you hear the beep. Hold there until you settle it on the ground.

[desertdrifter7]

Thank you, excellent input to consider. The one thing I have seen on the A-10 is the nose gear needs to be changed to avoid "bronco" landings. They don't sound pleasant.

[SanExup]

Like others are saying, if you can get smooth landings with the BAE Hawk by using power/throttle to manage the glide slope, you'll be doing the same with the A10. Change to either the trailing link on the nose gear or change the mains to match the factory nose gear. You want the same gear type on all 3.

That being said, and I haven't flown the Freewing F15 but have other F15s, they are pretty straightforward to land as well.