Official Freewing Twin 80mm F-14D Tomcat Thread

[davjamhan]

Hey I'm on the road alot (truck driver). And I finally finished my F-14 Tomcat . I notice that my elevators have alot of play in them. is this normal......

[T-CAT]

TC, Beautiful design, Sir. Thank you from the bottom of both my axles. Best, LB

You’re welcome, from the bottom of the wheel hubs.

[Elbee]

Update to the STL file for the wheel covers. I updated the Thingiverse file as well with the new STL.

TC, Beautiful design, Sir. Thank you from the bottom of both my axles. Best, LB

[T-CAT]

Update to the STL file for the wheel covers. I added some more detail to look more scale, but still kept it within reason to ensure that detail could be printed. At 0.07 resolution or better, the wheels and detail came out good. New pictures attached, and I updated the Thingiverse file as well with the new STL.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4715557

[xviper]

I put in the Freewing inrunners (3658 1920Kv). They dropped right in. I have used the FMS 2100kv units in a couple of Freewing planes. The FMS units seem to be a couple mm bigger in diameter than the Freewing units, so you either have to shave some foam or you just push them in firmly to compress the foam a bit, however, I've always found that it leaves a bit of the lip or step once the hatch is installed.

https://www.rc-castle.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=256_630_651&product_id=8801

[GarrisonR]

Just the foam and correct ESCs from what I understand. I don't have the newer FMS PRO one myself but with this air frame I would think the vertical/static thrust (?) would slightly be better being that it's 12bl vs 9bl. Efficiency is about the same I think and the sound is probably slightly better, not that its bad with the freewing units. I think its just personal preference and your willingness to install. I believe in other air frames there is more of an advantage with the newer 2100 kv FMS pro units

Going back in this thread, I see that some have mentioned the FMS EDFs. Is there enough of an improvement over upgraded Freewing inrunners to justify the customization needed to install them? Also, what all is needed? Just carving out a bit of foam or is it more extensive?

[Meh]

Going back in this thread, I see that some have mentioned the FMS EDFs. Is there enough of an improvement over upgraded Freewing inrunners to justify the customization needed to install them? Also, what all is needed? Just carving out a bit of foam or is it more extensive?

[T-CAT]

TC, you are a gentleman and a scholar. Thank you, Sir. Best, LB

Thanks, Elbee! I’m happy to contribute to the hobby in any way I can. Hopefully this helps some people converting their F-14 to an A-model.

You, Dirty Dee, Radar-Guy, Alpha, and others here have been great inspiration for me to 3D model, and to get a 3D printer. Thank you!

[Elbee]

I have modeled some simple F-14A model main wheel covers...]

TC, you are a gentleman and a scholar. Thank you, Sir. Best, LB

[T-CAT]

I have modeled some simple F-14A model main wheel covers that glue onto the supplied main wheels for Freewing's F-14D 80mm EDF Jet. For those who wish to convert their own Freewing F-14D to an A-model, this A-model main wheel cover may be of aid in the process. The STL file can be downloaded via Thingiverse at the link below.

I painted part of the supplied Freewing main wheels with black paint to create an illusion of depth (but left unpainted room to ensure I can glue the printed wheel covers to the metal wheel and not onto paint). Then, I painted the printed wheel covers in gloss white, as well as used black marker for detail accents.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4715557

[Meh]

Not sure on the wire lengths but the A-10s are essentially the same and will work fine. That's what is currently in my F14 with the 9 blade 1920kV edfs

Thank you, kind sir.

[GarrisonR]

Not sure on the wire lengths but the A-10s are essentially the same and will work fine. That's what is currently in my F14 with the 9 blade 1920kV edfs

Thanks for the replies. Looks like the 1920kV motors are the ones to go with.

Regarding ESCs, I'm looking at the ones from the A-10 (Mig-29 ESCs are currently out of stock). The specs on the ESCs appear to be the same, so I'm guessing either one should work. What's the difference? Wiring lengths, etc.?

[Meh]

Thanks for the replies. Looks like the 1920kV motors are the ones to go with.

Regarding ESCs, I'm looking at the ones from the A-10 (Mig-29 ESCs are currently out of stock). The specs on the ESCs appear to be the same, so I'm guessing either one should work. What's the difference? Wiring lengths, etc.?

[T-CAT]

Happy New Year to you too, Steve! I look forward to watching your build progress. The time and effort will pay off.

[Elbee]

TC, Many thanks. The good news is by buying the ARF+ I'll have plenty of time to decide on the power system, as we both know it will take me at least 5 months to build it LOL. Happy New Year, my friend. Best as always, Steve

[T-CAT]

TC, I'm in a similar state of mind. I'd order the Freewing ARF+ F-14A today if I knew which of the newer 80mm setups to add. Thank you crxmanpat for your timely input, and Meh for the question. I am leaning toward the Freewing 80mm A-10 setup as it is time proven to this guy. Really looking forward to building the Tomcat. Best, LB

I was very close to ordering another Tomcat ARF+, but figured I’d wait to see if they update the power system within this new year. Good luck with your build! I know yours will look absolutely phenomenal. No question about that!

If I ordered a F-14 now, I’d personally use the T-33/MiG-29 EDF/Motor over the A-10’s for a few primary reasons. First, I prefer the newer design of the EDF because the plastic shroud is much more rigid. I really disliked how flimsy the A-10 shrouds were, and I could collapse the shroud with little pressure that was enough to make the fan blades rub. Second, the PNP power systems with the inrunner motors tend to be better balanced from the factory (from just my experience and some others at the field, although I know some who have had opposite experiences). Third, I tend to like the ease of use and options to use aftermarket Afterburner/Centerburner LED’s for the inrunner motors versus the outrunner motors. On a F-14, AB lights always look nice, ha-ha.

For ESC’s, either the A-10 100A one’s or MiG-29 100A should work great simply because the wires are already lengthened, includes EC5 connectors, comes with additional capacitors soldered close to the ESC’s, and includes an external BEC.

[Elbee]

To be honest, before I purchase another...EDF jet, I’d like to see Freewing update the power systems....

TC, I'm in a similar state of mind. I'd order the Freewing ARF+ F-14A today if I knew which of the newer 80mm setups to add. Thank you crxmanpat for your timely input, and Meh for the question. I am leaning toward the Freewing 80mm A-10 setup as it is time proven to this guy. Really looking forward to building the Tomcat. Best, LB

[T-CAT]

To be honest, before I purchase another F-14 80mm EDF jet, I’d like to see Freewing update the power system to the 9-blade fan with 1920kv motors (the system that originated in the T-33), and 100A ESC’s. Maybe even a new simple paint job as well. Hopefully the PNP price can be somewhere between $599-620 for the upgraded F-14 and call it done. For that matter, please update the A-10 80mm to the new power system as well as well.

Hopefully this is something Alpha Marco Polo Tom are all considering. I’m not sure if it’s lucrative enough or if all older planes are still selling well enough to justify the update, but I can only hope. I know many of the older 80mm jets have been receiving the updated power system, but I have yet to see any of the twin 80mm jets receive it. There could be a reason for that.

It’s no secret it’s a better value to order a PNP jet over the ARF-Plus. To achieve the new power system setup on the F-14 when purchasing a ARF+ and power system separate, it would currently cost almost $710. That’s a bit steep. At that point, a MiG-29 PNP which has the new power system costs $639, looks extra appealing. They are of course not the same aircraft, F-14 vs MiG-29, but the comparison stands in the twin 80mm class, as does the $599 A-10 (but does not have the new power system....yet).

[crxmanpat]

Use either the new inrunner 80mm Motion sells for the majority of their 80mm jets now, or the power system from the A-10. Both will need 100A ESC upgrades. I have used both, and they give much better thrust. Top speed is not increased much, but it's able to get of the ground quicker and has better vertical with either of these setups.

[Meh]

What's the current recommendation for an upgraded 6S motor/ESC setup (using 5000mah batteries)? I find that I'm taking my other jets to the field instead of this one mainly because it's underpowered by comparison.