Official Freewing Twin 80mm F-14D Tomcat Thread

[Racer686]

[Racer686]

Almost done with my custom painted Ferris camo F-14. I ordered the wrong scale vinyl (Alpha's 1st post says 1:8.3 scale) from Callie so the 13th scale decal will arrive shortly.
I sold my F-14 from the preorder last year when I got the Mig 29, and regretted it soon after so I ordered a fresh one with a plan.
Right after peeling the blue tape I added the RcInformer/Raven Rock grass mod, changed out the power system to the 1920kv in runners/ fans/ESCs from the HP Avanti S. Added 3D printed nozzles and RCGeek afterburners and gave it a fresh coat of paint.
The maiden was yesterday and went well as you can see below:

https://youtu.be/QelJwiCTKlI

[xviper]

I saw those when you first invented them. At that time, I did the reinforcement of the area around the mounts, in the same philosophy as RCInformer's metal plate but mine is of wood and placed in a different location. That area is solid but the forces on the retract trunion is what causes the plastic body to crack (like in the video). It's quite jarring when the plane runs from flat runway onto the grass at the sides or at the ends.
I just checked the prices for the main retracts from HH and they're $130.00 US/pair, so pricey but not staggeringly so. No stock till August, so I'll see how long before I break the current replacements.

[mshagg]

I guess the alternative is to look at some sort of mod. I print braces for any plane that will take them. They support the strut but also provide a lot of structural support to the retract housing as well. Guess it depends on the kind of forces you're dealing with.

[xviper]

Hi mate, I found this on YouTube recently - part numbers are included in his overview.

https://youtu.be/H033bvFp3PA

The prices here are eye watering (would cost $500 for the retract units + struts) but might be more reasonable in your neck of the woods.

Thanks so much. Very informative. Eflite retracts are quite pricey here, too. Maybe not as much as where you are. I'll have to look into it further. It might be justifiable.
That's more or less what happens to my mains when they break. The other option is to sell the plane to a guy here who has been after it because he figures he can land it much better and not break anything. I really like the plane and would rather keep at it.

[mshagg]

Has anyone found all metal retracts for their F-14? I've just finished replacing the mains on mine after the last landing that went into the grass at the side. I'm still getting the hang of landing this plane soft and straight and my landings can be somewhat heavy and not centered on the runway. This has resulted in the plastic retract body cracking between the round section and the main body. Other than that, no damage to the plane itself.
I've seen those new "all metal" retracts for the Taft ViperJet but the holes aren't compatible (too wide spread).

Hi mate, I found this on YouTube recently - part numbers are included in his overview.

https://youtu.be/H033bvFp3PA

The prices here are eye watering (would cost $500 for the retract units + struts) but might be more reasonable in your neck of the woods.

[xviper]

Has anyone found all metal retracts for their F-14? I've just finished replacing the mains on mine after the last landing that went into the grass at the side. I'm still getting the hang of landing this plane soft and straight and my landings can be somewhat heavy and not centered on the runway. This has resulted in the plastic retract body cracking between the round section and the main body. Other than that, no damage to the plane itself.
I've seen those new "all metal" retracts for the Taft ViperJet but the holes aren't compatible (too wide spread).

[gerardkessels@wbl.nl]

looks good

[rlcamden]

Don't know if this has been mentioned, but I found a stiffer spring at my local ACE True Hardware store that is identical in size, but a little stiffer for the main gear. I replaced the weaker stock spring and the Tomcat no longer squats under the weight. It also still has the full suspension travel.

[PaulZ]

PZ, Great Idea. I have that build in the queue for this year. That is once I complete the Corsair and electrics in my Hornet. I had a similar thought about the Tomcat mains. Only way to find out is to do it. Best, LB

Agree Elbee, please do post photos of results. I am thinking to do the same on the F-14

[Elbee]

Did anyone try the MiG-29 mains on the F-14? The retracts are much stronger an they rotate the gear 90 deg like in the full scale F-14. Would require some foam carving though...

PZ, Great Idea. I have that build in the queue for this year. That is once I complete the Corsair and electrics in my Hornet. I had a similar thought about the Tomcat mains. Only way to find out is to do it. Best, LB

[PaulZ]

Did anyone try the MiG-29 mains on the F-14? The retracts are much stronger an they rotate the gear 90 deg like in the full scale F-14. Would require some foam carving though...

[mshagg]

I wonder if the AL37 would be a good fit. The reduction in AoA with a shorter strut would be problematic for grass ops.

[Evan D]

I JB weld that collar on if it comes loose...

[T-CAT]

Here are some pictures and a video of the F/A-18C nose strut on the Freewing F-14. I’ll have to take pictures outside with it on the ground for reference.

[mshagg]

I saw a video on YouTube of someone who had swapped out the mains for a horizon/eflite part. All metal retract unit and beefy strut. It looked bulletproof but the parts are $400AUD to buy from the local dealer.

[crxmanpat]

Agreed with T-CAT on the nose gear. I'm one of those that changed to the F-18 strut. Drop in fit and it works great! Four flights on mine since doing it.

[T-CAT]

Also, the stock nose gear strut in my opinion is outdated and a design I don’t care for. The weak link is that little collar and screw. It wears too easily, and the collar will eventually have a stress fracture or break completely regardless of surface flown from, but it will be accelerated flying off grass and non-manicured ground.

What a few of us have done is change the nose gear strut to the Freewing F/A-18C 90mm EDF jet nose strut. It is much more robust, and does not contain a collar, and is instead one metal piece. The pin is the same diameter, so it’s an easy swap. However, keep in mind that the F/A-18C nose strut is about 6mm or so shorter than the F-14’s. Since I fly off pavement and a long strip, it’s not an issue, but those who fly off non-paved surfaces may need to do some testing to see if any difference in takeoff distance occurs. Personally, I like the stance better with the new strut and it’s more robust. Also, swap the nose wheels and wheel axle over from the F-14 onto the new F/A-18C nose strut, or swap over the whole fork/trailing-link by removing some of the C-clips.

I can post some pictures if needed of the swap and the look. It was completely worth it to me.

[mshagg]

Grass takes its toll on most EDFs and the tomcat is no exception. Of primary concern is the foam above the mains which can bend and interfere with the swing mechanism. In extreme cases it can break.

There are various mods you'll find people discussing to address this, from metal to plywood to 3D printed.

And yeah some spare struts are an idea while you get the hang of the plane.

It's a bit of effort but you can make it work if youre commited to having a tomcat.

[xviper]

Do any of you gents run the F14 off of grass? Preferably with the new 80mm inrunner setup? I’m teetering right on the edge of ordering one today but our field doesn’t have ‘golf course green’ grass and this is my only concern.

Many Thanks
Dan

The retract struts on this plane are quite long and skinny. If the grass is very rough and bumpy, the higher resistance when rolling can bend the struts. Landings that aren’t just “perfect” on grass can also tend to bend the struts. I’ve landed on the grass when I didn’t quite hit the runway right on, has caused the struts to bend and if you hit hard enough on grass the retract plastic body can crack and break. It’s a heavy plane that can land quite fast.