Official Freewing Twin 80mm F-14D Tomcat Thread

[Elbee]

Thanks FA. Happy New Year, Sir. Best, LB

[f4u ausie]

Just put mig 29 retracts in my f4u 95 mm long.. 30mm high to the base... 22 mm wide below the base the mounting 30mm spacing ( holes) width length of hole spacing is 25mm good luck they r big

[Elbee]

Thanks Elbee. I already ordered the Mig 29 retracts (if they fit, i'll use, if not, I'll resell) Once they fit, I'll carve out the wheel well & figure out about the gear door! Any pics or link to gear door mods? I'll have to design in CAD & print a 3D gear door I guess

MY, I am laughing out loud as I'm currently looking at photos in Danny Coreman's F-14 book trying to figure out how I am going to do the 90 degree rotating MG and MG doors. At any rate, post pictures as I will need all the assistance I can get. Best and Happy New Year, LB

[Masteryoda]

MY, Welcome onboard, Sir. I don't have dimensions of the MiG-29 Retracts; however, the main gear door mod is great and worth doing. If it were me, I'd just post a request over in the MiG 29 forum for the dimensions of the retracts. Best, LB

Thanks Elbee. I already ordered the Mig 29 retracts (if they fit, i'll use, if not, I'll resell) Once they fit, I'll carve out the wheel well & figure out about the gear door! Any pics or link to gear door mods? I'll have to design in CAD & print a 3D gear door I guess

[Elbee]

Hi Gents, Just joined... & I have a question about the tomcat. I saw this video (see below) where the mains were done with rotating retracts. Unfortunately, There is no info anywhere about what retract to use & what mods are needed etc. Does anyone have any specific information on this or any other rotating retract mod you know of? On that note, I was thinking of using the rotating retract from the freewing Mig29. what are your thoughts on that?

MY, Welcome onboard, Sir. I don't have dimensions of the MiG-29 Retracts; however, the main gear door mod is great and worth doing. If it were me, I'd just post a request over in the MiG 29 forum for the dimensions of the retracts. Best, LB

[Masteryoda]

Hi Gents

Just joined... & I have a question about the tomcat. I saw this video (see below) where the mains were done with rotating retracts. Unfortunately,There is no info anywhere about what retract to use & what mods are needed etc. Does anyone have any specific information on this or any other rotating retract mod you know of?

On that note, I was thinking of using the rotating retract from the freewing Mig29. what are your thoughts on that?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-I3nzuZM30

[Evan D]

The old inrunner was just a little more powerful and less than todays higher kV outrunners. To be honest the new 9b/ inrunner is pretty darn close to the 1850kv outrunner with the 12b one piece rotor.

If you are going to swap over do it as a matched rotor/ fan/ motor set. To be honest your set up isn't bad and unless you have the money laying around not really a value replacement.

[TipStalled]

I bought this plane in 2017. At the time there was an upgrade for the power system which was 2x125 amp escs, inrunner motors with 12 blade units. . The fan units were metal. I installed this upgrade. I see where lots of people are putting the 9 blade fan units on there power systems. Would I be better off leaving my upgraded power system alone ? Or would the 9 blade rotor be better ? Could I just install the 9 blade rotor in place of my present 12 blade rotor ? Any and all answers appreciated !

[GarrisonR]

I use 6000 and 6200 mostly in this plane, handles the weight great and an increase in landing speed isn't really noticeable with stock flap configuration. I have them all the way back but I think the addition of custom power setup (T33 inrunners) with custom made afterburners helps. I also run a small 500mah 3s battery for the burners than I position by the front of the back battery.. if that makes sense.

Did any of you have trouble hitting CG with the back to back battery position? I carved out the foam all the way to the metal crossbar in the back. I have my 825g 6s lipos pushed back to the bar and the other one butting right up against the rear battery - in other words as far back as they can possibly go. Measuring ~ 87mm CG the plane is very nose heavy. Anyone else find this issue with similar 6000 batteries?

[e4dragongunner]

Thanks Elbee.... Approaching this one with caution. The setup is 1/2 the fun. I just upgraded to the Jeti DS24 and will be making the the most out of its flexibility.

[Elbee]

Absolutely sir... I bought the ARF. Have the full Landing gear plate upgrade kit from " The informer" as well as 2 T-33 power plants paired with A-10 ESC's :-). All vids have been reviewed! Just haven't cracked the box yet... finishing up my F-22 repaint,

E4, I will be watching your progress with great interest. The ARF+ is the way I would approach this build and having watched RCInformer's vids and reading bits in this forum, I would really like to see how your skills take this to a new level. Point is 'want one' and will build one after my Corsair build this winter. Best, LB

[e4dragongunner]

Yer welcome. I suggest you find the build video by RC Informer. He outlines in detail all the stuff you should do to make the battery bay work for 2 larger batteries (ie, 5000mah+), plus a few other really useful mods to make this plane better. Then there's the RC Geek programming set up. Really good stuff.

Absolutely sir... I bought the ARF. Have the full Landing gear plate upgrade kit from " The informer" as well as 2 T-33 power plants paired with A-10 ESC's :-). All vids have been reviewed! Just haven't cracked the box yet... finishing up my F-22 repaint,

[PaulZ]

Yer welcome. I suggest you find the build video by RC Informer. He outlines in detail all the stuff you should do to make the battery bay work for 2 larger batteries (ie, 5000mah+), plus a few other really useful mods to make this plane better. Then there's the RC Geek programming set up. Really good stuff.

Agree! I use HRB 5000's all the way back to back with carved out foam and it just balances right.

[xviper]

Xviper, as some one who has one NIB ... this is very valuable information!

Thanks man!

Yer welcome. I suggest you find the build video by RC Informer. He outlines in detail all the stuff you should do to make the battery bay work for 2 larger batteries (ie, 5000mah+), plus a few other really useful mods to make this plane better. Then there's the RC Geek programming set up. Really good stuff.

[e4dragongunner]

I use one of the lighter 5000's (Gens Ace) weighing in at around 730g each, pushed all the way back to the metal (after carving out the foam). It just balances. With your 825g ones, you're running another 200g more than mine. You may need tail weight or use lighter batteries. The recommended battery for this plane is 4000mah. 6000mah is quite a lot more so you'll have to be creative.

Xviper, as some one who has one NIB ... this is very valuable information!

Thanks man!

[evensen007]

I use one of the lighter 5000's (Gens Ace) weighing in at around 730g each, pushed all the way back to the metal (after carving out the foam). It just balances. With your 825g ones, you're running another 200g more than mine. You may need tail weight or use lighter batteries. The recommended battery for this plane is 4000mah. 6000mah is quite a lot more so you'll have to be creative.

That actually makes perfect sense; I forgot that this jet wasn't really intended to run giant batteries. I have some Spektrum 5000's that are 690 grams. I will go try to CG with those and I bet I'll have better luck. Thanks again!

[xviper]

Did any of you have trouble hitting CG with the back to back battery position? I carved out the foam all the way to the metal crossbar in the back. I have my 825g 6s lipos pushed back to the bar and the other one butting right up against the rear battery - in other words as far back as they can possibly go. Measuring ~ 87mm CG the plane is very nose heavy. Anyone else find this issue with similar 6000 batteries?

I use one of the lighter 5000's (Gens Ace) weighing in at around 730g each, pushed all the way back to the metal (after carving out the foam). It just balances. With your 825g ones, you're running another 200g more than mine. You may need tail weight or use lighter batteries. The recommended battery for this plane is 4000mah. 6000mah is quite a lot more so you'll have to be creative.

[evensen007]

Did any of you have trouble hitting CG with the back to back battery position? I carved out the foam all the way to the metal crossbar in the back. I have my 825g 6s lipos pushed back to the bar and the other one butting right up against the rear battery - in other words as far back as they can possibly go. Measuring ~ 87mm CG the plane is very nose heavy. Anyone else find this issue with similar 6000 batteries?

[Aros]

Ah Elbee there you go again offering up terrific ways to kill time while the wife just rolls her eyes. Bless you.

[Elbee]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLreti98BLw

Interview with Alan "Shoes" Mullen - TOMCAT Pilot and TOPGUN Instructor Pilot

Hey Tomcat Fans, allow yourself a couple hours, grab an adult beverage and watch this 'ewetoob" interview with C.W. "Mover" Lemoine and Alan "Shoes" Mullen. Really funny stories and inspiring for those who might want to commit to becoming a "Fighter Pilot". You won't regret it. Best to all this Holiday Season, LB