Official Freewing Twin 80mm F-14D Tomcat Thread

[xviper]

TGoelzer, What xviper wrote is spot-on. I bought the Freewing F-14 as an ARF+ and bought the MiG-29 9-blade EDF/ESC setup for it. Chris Wolfe (The RC Geek) made a couple ewtoob vids adding the Freewing A-10 EDF/ESC Setup to his Freewing Tomcat. The point is, if you want to build one sooner rather than later, there is a precedent for a power upgrade. Costs to do an ARF+ would most likely be close to an upgrade total cost. Just my $00.02 USD. Best, LB

I liked your post for the word in red. I've never heard it called that but it is soooo fitting. For a couple of years now, I've have hated what they think I might like and recommend every possible piece of garbage to my home screen. I diligently go to each one and tell them to "don't recommend" this channel. Now, I've got them down to only a couple of recommendations per session. Now, if only I can get them to stop putting the "ad" vids up that I can't seem to remove even though they have a "remove" button. I have no reason to go to UTube for music videos and they keep sending those to me. I've got YouTube music app for that.

Back to the F-14 ..........................
As for the powertrain for the F-14, at the time, I put in the highest static thrust EDFs that I could find at RC Castle and those just happened to be 12-blade ones. I've never regretted it and to this day, even with the latest super-duper high zoot EDFs that Freewing has introduced, the increase in thrust doesn't make me want to change. The only thing I wish they had back then, were thrust reversing ESCs. I will take another look at this after I've flown the plane a few more times this coming season. If I get real good at planting it near the beginning of the runway and have it slow down enough before the end for the turn, I'll save some money on the reversing ESCs. I also have more robust main retracts sitting on the table just in case the stock ones grenade.

[Elbee]

TGoelzer, What xviper wrote is spot-on. I bought the Freewing F-14 as an ARF+ and bought the MiG-29 9-blade EDF/ESC setup for it. Chris Wolfe (The RC Geek) made a couple ewtoob vids adding the Freewing A-10 EDF/ESC Setup to his Freewing Tomcat. The point is, if you want to build one sooner rather than later, there is a precedent for a power upgrade. Costs to do an ARF+ would most likely be close to an upgrade total cost. Just my $00.02 USD. Best, LB

[xviper]

You could just buy an ARF+ and put whatever drivetrain in it that is the biggest and bestest at the time.

[TGoelzer]

Does anyone know if there planning on a V2 anytime soon?

With the new in-runner EDF's that are soon to be released. I would think after 7+ years that they would be revamping the F-14.

I've been holding off on buying one for some time with the hope that they would announce a V2.

Alpha, it is time for overhaul. I have money burning a hole in my pant pocket.LOL

[Gravythe clown]

Thanks Guys, I got my hinges last night and started getting the left wing spoiler attached. I'm still waiting on the control horn. I thought I had them in my order, I mistakenly didn't order them, so I ordered them last night as well as a full set of wing servos for the stock wings I have. Hopefully this weekend I'll have bother spoilers done and the full fuse painted.

Dougcarr73, I am going to have to model setups for it in my Horus X10. I'm using a S8R RX setup with Delta Config for the Tailerons and Rudder. My outputs on this RX will be Throttle, Taileron Left, Taileron Right, Rudder, Gear, Wing sweep and Steering. Then I'll have an X8R RX for main wing control sufaces, Left Aileron Or Spoiler, Left Flap, Right Aileron or Spoiler and Right Flap.
I will also be using Air speed sensor and two Battery cell sensors so I can log and use call outs for important information. I'm hoping with time to gather enough data on the airspeed that I can use it for wing sweep in sweep mode and also landing. I'm going to have it call out every 2 seconds while on final. I under stand there will be a lag but with enough use age over time I should build up a pretty good predictability with air speed while landing.

Model 1 will be with Stock wing (Aileron and Flaps) and use Stock setup and RCgeeks full span flaps with flaperons (Flight mode select-able) Basically My last setup.
Model 2 will be with Spoiler and full span flap wings and be programed with Scale setup.

Gravy

[pullupnow]

Well tried to find the post on FB where the guy posted his F-14 build, but could not find it again.
Anyway he posted adding Spoilers so, I just had to follow suit.
im still waiting on hinges and need to finish shaping one of the spoilers, but they are coming along nicely.
I bought a second set of wings, this way I can go either way.
The refresh is coming along nicely too. Prim coat is all laid down and ready for weathering and topcoats.
going Grime Reapers.

Gravy

Very cool mod... well done!

[Dougcarr73]

Do you know if the spoilers will help decrease the landing roll of this model? My biggest problem with this plane is it rolls for a long distance before it slows down enough to turn. Many times, it just rolls off the end of the runway and slams into the grassy lip at the end, damaging the nose gear if the speed is too high.

Great work, Gravy. Here's a tutorial that helps setup spoilerons for those of us sans your modification skills. Xviper, spoilers will reduce the roll out of the F-14. Spoilers are similar to flaps, but in the opposite direction. When used correctly your landings will be under power, more precise, and consistent. Very nice upgrade:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRr-eJd0n8I

[DCORSAIR]

Gravy does great work, I have seen his projects in person, he did an awesome job on my big Roban 800 Cayuse that I sold.

[Gravythe clown]

Thunk you.
Actually I'm always surprised how it comes out after this part, because really as it is right now it looks like crap. LOL It's what I like about weathering is how it all starts to come together as you start laying down the different tones.

Gravy

[Elbee]

Got some airbrushing done finally. Got a lot more to do but it’s coming along.

Gravy

Lookin' seriously good, GC. Best, LB

[Gravythe clown]

Got some airbrushing done finally. Got a lot more to do but it’s coming along.

Gravy

[Gravythe clown]

That I don’t know, but plan to find out. I will be eventually setting it up so after I land I can flip switch which will put both spoilers up. That with the already full span flaps, I should help.

it’s going to be a bit though before I get to that point.
first o need to finish the build.
get it all trimmed out and flying with my stock wings with stock setup. Then I’ll go back to my setup like RCgeek uses. Up ailerons only and full span flaps with Flaperons.
then after I get that flying hood I’ll switch out to the full span flaps and spoiler wings.

I’m also adding function Pitot tube in the nose for actual airspeed, which after testing I plan on using it to sweep the wings in and out based on speed.

lots to do still but I’m getting there.


Gravy

[xviper]

There are no ailerons a the real F-14. Only spoilers and full span flaps. Spoilers are used as ailerons when wing are out and part of the breaking system after touch down.

Gravy

Do you know if the spoilers will help decrease the landing roll of this model? My biggest problem with this plane is it rolls for a long distance before it slows down enough to turn. Many times, it just rolls off the end of the runway and slams into the grassy lip at the end, damaging the nose gear if the speed is too high.

[Gravythe clown]

There are no ailerons a the real F-14. Only spoilers and full span flaps. Spoilers are used as ailerons when wing are out and part of the breaking system after touch down.

Gravy

[xviper]

Well tried to find the post on FB where the guy posted his F-14 build, but could not find it again.
Anyway he posted adding Spoilers so, I just had to follow suit.
im still waiting on hinges and need to finish shaping one of the spoilers, but they are coming along nicely.
I bought a second set of wings, this way I can go either way.
The refresh is coming along nicely too. Prim coat is all laid down and ready for weathering and topcoats.
going Grime Reapers.

Gravy

What is the intended function of these spoilers on the model? How are they used on the real F-14?

[Gravythe clown]

Well tried to find the post on FB where the guy posted his F-14 build, but could not find it again.
Anyway he posted adding Spoilers so, I just had to follow suit.
im still waiting on hinges and need to finish shaping one of the spoilers, but they are coming along nicely.
I bought a second set of wings, this way I can go either way.
The refresh is coming along nicely too. Prim coat is all laid down and ready for weathering and topcoats.
going Grime Reapers.

Gravy

[ElCid]

For all of your tomcat guys.. check out this link , its full Jeti programing but might help you with other radios..

https://youtu.be/K96bYxySZC0

[Dougcarr73]

Hi Guys, I have just completed a similar modification to a new F14 (my second) I have fittted XFLY 80mm 3280-KV2200 12 blade fans and Predator 100A ESCs. Haven't flown it yet but it certainly has a lot of thrust on the ground. I recently upgraded my FMS BAE Hawk using the same fan unit and it sounds absolutely great in the air and has superb performance. A friend has a new Hawk which has the upgrade FMS 2100 fan unit and they perform pretty much the same. I cant wait to see how the F14 flies on two of these fans! I use ZEEE 5200mAh 100C 6S lipos now although I prevously used HRB 5000mAh 50C 6S.

You'll enjoy the XFLY. They will push your F14 to new heights when compared to the stock fans.

On your next 80mm upgrade try out the FMS 3665 2000KV motor. It will give you a smidge more thrust and flight time. Here are the specs for comparison:

XFLY-MODEL GALAXY X8 80MM 12 BLADE 2200KV: Static Thrust: Around 3400g (25V, 98A)
FMS 80MM V2 12 BLADE PRO 3280 2100KV: Static Thrust: Around 3400g (25V, 98A)
FMS 80MM V3 12 BLADE PRO 3665 2000KV: Static Thrust: Around 3450g (25V, 96A)

[FAREASTRADER]

By the way I have a Spektrum flight pack current sensor fitted and these fans draw up to 120A peak with fully charged batteries but this is ok with the 100A Predators.

[FAREASTRADER]

Hi Guys, I have just completed a similar modification to a new F14 (my second) I have fittted XFLY 80mm 3280-KV2200 12 blade fans and Predator 100A ESCs. Haven't flown it yet but it certainly has a lot of thrust on the ground. I recently upgraded my FMS BAE Hawk using the same fan unit and it sounds absolutely great in the air and has superb performance. A friend has a new Hawk which has the upgrade FMS 2100 fan unit and they perform pretty much the same. I cant wait to see how the F14 flies on two of these fans! I use ZEEE 5200mAh 100C 6S lipos now although I prevously used HRB 5000mAh 50C 6S.