Official Freewing Twin 80mm F-14D Tomcat Thread

[shortround91]

Thank ya, I upgraded to a AR10360t+ really like the plus seems like I can get more throw and boy does it work great. Next up is to install the 3D cockpit install a HUD light set for the canopy

[rifleman_btx]

Im sure someone has tried or even done it by now, but has anyone swapped the wing actuators for standard sized servos?

[Delorean74]

Hi: While not in use, I’d like to mount mine on a wall or ceiling. Are there recommendations or kits available to do either? Thanks!

[Elbee]

Im sure someone has tried or even done it by now, but has anyone swapped the wing actuators for standard sized servos?

RM, I have not done this, obviously, but I looking at linear actuators as an alternative if for nothing other than weight savings. Interesting thought. Best, LB

[Elbee]

Hi: While not in use, I’d like to mount mine on a wall or ceiling. Are there recommendations or kits available to do either? Thanks!

D74,

I do not know of anything commercially available; however, I see other guys on U-toob and in photos, that are doing just that.

If you find a system or come up with one on your own, please post that solution.

Best, LB

[nuts-n-volts]

I hang all of my planes from the ceiling. I keep a 3-step ladder in the garage just to put them up or down. It's easier than you may think. As far as how to hang them so the string doesn't bite into the foam and leave a string track... don't do that!

Always look for hard points outside of the plane and many times, with jet noses, on the inside. Prop planes are relatively easy. I usually hang them from the prop shaft and from the tailwheel looped over the stab joiner each side. The vertical fin or rudder end up keeping the plane straight.

On jets, you don't have the prop shaft. But, typically, you have either a nose cone tongue or a canopy tongue. They're usually foam, but some are made of wood or plastic. Simply loop the string around the tongue, refit the canopy or nose cone and hang it. Also typical, you have the plastic exhaust in back to loop the string. For the foam tongues, I wrap them with fiber tape. Make sure the fiber is running perpendicular to the string so as to do the best job of protecting the foam tongue. Also, the string barely makes an indent where it exits the crack between the nose/canopy and the fuse. You can also add fiber tape to these areas or re-enforce to your specs. If you're really concerned about small dents in the seam, you can use dental floss for the string as it is very thin and strong.

Something else to watch for... always try to hit a ceiling joist when installing hooks. I use proper wall anchors if I absolutely can't get near a joist. Of course, joists almost always run parallel to each other at even distances apart. This usually makes all the planes also hang parallel unless you have the need to get creative.

And this, sometimes if there is no tongue or outside hard point, I have used the forward battery tray or any other inner hard point and drilled a hole in the fuselage directly above the connection. To get the string thru this small hole I clamp a portion of the string in my vise and super glue about 3' of the string while pulling tight. Let it dry. Now you have a section of strong straight string that will easily poke thru the hole.

[f4u ausie]

I use a 1inch. 25mm or about. Wide. Elastic. And just go under the fuse Wider is better. Does not mark the foam.. it's easy peasy.. to get it down. For upcoming sorties

[DCORSAIR]

I use a 1inch. 25mm or about. Wide. Elastic. And just go under the fuse Wider is better. Does not mark the foam.. it's easy peasy.. to get it down. For upcoming sorties

Elastic sounds like a good idea, don't use string with a plastic hose, I bought my F-14 from a guy who did just that and it left marks in the foam from hanging and took the paint off in places, I still bought it anyway thinking I would fix it up but never have, I figured its going to get dings anyway eventually.

[dannyiron69]

Does anyone have an STL file or print GE engines in this scale ?

[way2far]

Bumping this thread, as I'm a first time poster and now officially an owner of a beautiful Tomcat. Never thought I'd have a chance to own one, but here we are. I feel so late to the game given the age of this platform, but hey, it's new to me!

Think I'll maiden it as it comes with no initial mods. It's the PNP version so we will see what my thoughts are after a couple flights. This was a fun thread to read.

[Elbee]

Bumping this thread, as I'm a first time poster and now officially an owner of a beautiful Tomcat. Never thought I'd have a chance to own one, but here we are. I feel so late to the game given the age of this platform, but hey, it's new to me!

Think I'll maiden it as it comes with no initial mods. It's the PNP version so we will see what my thoughts are after a couple flights. This was a fun thread to read.

W2,

Welcome to Hobby Squawk, glad to have you onboard.

You're not too late at all.

As matter of fact, I have one NIB that is at least 2 years old in the queue.

Please post pictures and share any modifications.

Best, LB

[way2far]

Hi all, any ideas on why the nose gear LED would not be working? All other LED lights work fine.

[Evan D]

It may be plugged in backwards or in the wrong slot. Also the board tells it turn on when the gear deploy.

[way2far]

[Elbee]

way2far

Your Tomcat looks great!

Congrats and Welcome to Hobby Squawk.

Glad to have you onboard.

Best, LB

[way2far]

Thanks for the welcome!

I'm looking to buy a spare nose cone or two as I know there will be some hangar rash in my future. Unfortunately, it appears Motion is out of stock. Is eBay the only other spot I could potentially find them?

[Evan D]

RC Castle out of Hong Kong is the other big retailer.

[inchi41]

Just acquired the freewing F-14 Tomcat 80mm and wondered if anyone has considered using carbon fiber sheet for making the main landing gear strengthening plate as apposed to aluminum. It was just a thought i had and not heard anyone doing it and wondered if it would work obviously there would be a weight saving and the plate could be glued down to increase the strength and reduce any flex.
I will probably get some don't be stupid comments but if you don't ask 🤷

[inchi41]

I considered it but my machining skills are not up to the task, so I bought the aluminum one.

Do you have a website address where you hot the alloy ones from please just incase the carbon fiber is a none starter lol

[Evan D]

The person making them is this person on RC Groups.

Thisguy65's blog - RC Groups

Do you have a website address where you hot the alloy ones from please just incase the carbon fiber is a none starter lol