Official Freewing Twin 80mm F-14D Tomcat Thread

[xviper]

I have purchased planes and other stuff from Lindinger in the past. They are a respectable hobby store, but I have noticed that they can exaggerate some specs a little bit. I have a difficult time believing that Lindinger would actually go and swap the ESCs for reversing ones. On the other hand, I could be wrong in that they can do a special request to the Freewing factory to install such ESCs on their last order for this plane. I know that when Alpha was still working in or near the Freewing factory (Hong Kong), he did a special request for me, so I guess it's not too far fetched to think that FW could do it for a hobby shop.

[shortround91]

Thanks for the message. No problem... yeah, that kind of thing can be annoying. I've been flying Spektrum for several years now and I'm very happy with it, no problems at all. The ASX3+ gyro software is absolutely top-notch and works really well! Do you also use a Spektrum gyro with your turbine? That doesn't work with the receiver's integrated gyro; it should only be done with the Spektrum Powersafe. Do you have any experience with that? By the way, that's a great painted Avanti! Ich denke, das passt aber nicht in diesen Thread.

I’m Spektrum only, I do set up ES3X+ nose wheel gyro even safe for those just in case moments. Nothing like a bug in your eye hitting safe for a sec to wipe it away. My first turbine was the Zeus 45 which use as my daily flier AR8360t+ all set up zero issues but you have to remove the factory gyro. I ran into that issue with the FlyFans J20 2 gyros on the same control surfaces doesn’t end well. I know first hand unfortunately. Still have the J20 just isn’t as fun to fly as I’d hoped for

[EDF-Jetpilot]

I have purchased planes and other stuff from Lindinger in the past. They are a respectable hobby store, but I have noticed that they can exaggerate some specs a little bit. I have a difficult time believing that Lindinger would actually go and swap the ESCs for reversing ones. On the other hand, I could be wrong in that they can do a special request to the Freewing factory to install such ESCs on their last order for this plane. I know that when Alpha was still working in or near the Freewing factory (Hong Kong), he did a special request for me, so I guess it's not too far fetched to think that FW could do it for a hobby shop.

So, yesterday I received my Tomcat "Upgrade Version" and, of course, immediately unpacked it to check which EDFs and ESCs were installed. A yellow slip of paper was wrapped around the manual, stating: Upgrade Version with new drive system: 80mm 12-blade EDF with 3658-2150KV motor and Freewing Hobbywing Speedcontroller, 100A Twin ESC. Unfortunately, upon inspection, I noticed that the original setup consists of two 3530-1680KV brushless impellers with two 80mm EDFs with 12-blade rotors and two 80A - 8A UBEC ESCs. I've now ordered the new 100A Twin ESCs and the 2150KV Twin EDFs from RC Castle. The weapons are also missing, so I've ordered those from RC Castle as well. Now I just need a new AR10360T+ Spektrum 10-channel receiver, and then I can begin the conversion and programming. I'm so excited for the maiden flight! Now the whole thing, including the conversion to the real Super Tomcat, is costing me a good CHF 1000.- including the receiver.

[kallend]

That sounds very much like false advertizing. Surely there's some redress for that in your country.

[Evan D]

Unfortunately, you got what I expected. There has been no update and the weapons are an additional cost optional part.

So, yesterday I received my Tomcat "Upgrade Version" and, of course, immediately unpacked it to check which EDFs and ESCs were installed. A yellow slip of paper was wrapped around the manual, stating: Upgrade Version with new drive system: 80mm 12-blade EDF with 3658-2150KV motor and Freewing Hobbywing Speedcontroller, 100A Twin ESC. Unfortunately, upon inspection, I noticed that the original setup consists of two 3530-1680KV brushless impellers with two 80mm EDFs with 12-blade rotors and two 80A - 8A UBEC ESCs. I've now ordered the new 100A Twin ESCs and the 2150KV Twin EDFs from RC Castle. The weapons are also missing, so I've ordered those from RC Castle as well. Now I just need a new AR10360T+ Spektrum 10-channel receiver, and then I can begin the conversion and programming. I'm so excited for the maiden flight! Now the whole thing, including the conversion to the real Super Tomcat, is costing me a good CHF 1000.- including the receiver.

[kallend]

Look for weapons and pylons (STL files) online (assuming you have access to a 3D printer to make them with). I posted a bunch (Phoenix, Sparrow, Sidewinder) on Thingiverse.

[EDF-Jetpilot]

[QUOTE=Evan D;n445979]Unfortunately, you got what I expected. There has been no update and the weapons are an additional cost optional part.


[/QUOTEYes, I suspected as much and would have been very pleased if it had been the new version. The included accessories initially pleased me, but my excitement about the upgrade quickly faded upon inspection. Well, the sales documents on Lindinger's website didn't explicitly state that the new drive was included, so I suppose there's nothing I can do about it and I'll just have to accept it. I've now ordered the Super Tomcat setup and will install it, including the rockets.

[Serbaggio86]

Buongiorno, sono possessore di un f14 Twin80, ho iniziato a comprare gli esc da 100 amp della Skywalker, ed ora sto comprando i motori che leggendo qui avete consigliato i 2150.. una domanda, su motion rc vendono due ventole che sembrerebbero uguali sempre 2150... Sapreste dirmi la differenza?
Io ho già acquistato un motore su Subito da un ragazzo che ha schiantato il suo avantis motorizzato 2150 che penso e spero sia l'ultima versione... Oltre a queste modifiche cosa mi consigliate?
Dimenticavo ancora devo fare il primo Volo!

[Elbee]

Buongiorno, sono possessore di un f14 Twin80, ho iniziato a comprare gli esc da 100 amp della Skywalker, ed ora sto comprando i motori che leggendo qui avete consigliato i 2150.. una domanda, su motion rc vendono due ventole che sembrerebbero uguali sempre 2150... Sapreste dirmi la differenza?
Io ho già acquistato un motore su Subito da un ragazzo che ha schiantato il suo avantis motorizzato 2150 che penso e spero sia l'ultima versione... Oltre a queste modifiche cosa mi consigliate?
Dimenticavo ancora devo fare il primo Volo!

Benvenuti su Hobby Squawk.

Felice di averti a bordo.

Le ventole aggiornate sono le unità da 80 mm a 12 pale per i motori da 2150 KV.

Il numero sulla scatola Freewing è E72314.

Spero che questo aiuti.

Saluti, LB

[Dr8820]

Updated version is now in stock at Motion, I’m wondering if I should get one before they are gone…

https://www.motionrc.com/products/freewing-f-14-tomcat-twin-80mm-edf-jet-pnp-fj30813p

[Dr8820]

https://www.motionrc.com/products/freewing-f-14-tomcat-twin-80mm-edf-jet-pnp-fj30813p

[Evan D]

Not much of a change, about the same as the 64mm with just wings and paint. This got a gyro control board (same as the 64), different outrunners and maybe larger ESCs.

NEW! E20 Control Box with 6-Axis gyro stabilization enhances the flying experience
NEW! 2x 9 Blade factory balanced 80mm EDFs with metal housing and 3530-1900Kv brushless outrunner motors produces realistic jet turbine sound
NEW! 2x 100 Amp ESCs with single 8 amp UBEC

But in 4 or 5 places it says 80A ESCs.... Motions web person really needs to be replaced.

[JamesonC]

Not much of a change, about the same as the 64mm with just wings and paint. This got a gyro control board (same as the 64), different outrunners and maybe larger ESCs.

NEW! E20 Control Box with 6-Axis gyro stabilization enhances the flying experience
NEW! 2x 9 Blade factory balanced 80mm EDFs with metal housing and 3530-1900Kv brushless outrunner motors produces realistic jet turbine sound
NEW! 2x 100 Amp ESCs with single 8 amp UBEC

But in 4 or 5 places it says 80A ESCs.... Motions web person really needs to be replaced.

Nice to see it finally get 100a ESCs, but why in the world did Freewing "upgrade" the EDF to another ancient outrunner?? That 1900kv unit was what came in the V1 A10 when it was released in 2016!

[Dr8820]

Evan D, yeah..it seems that they still have the older version specs in the overview but casually mentions the new specs…it barely mentions thrust reverse.

[Evan D]

I’m not sure it really has reverse thrust

[xviper]

I think the use of the term "V2" for models that have been "out of stock" for months is simply a marketing trick, something that was first seen with FMS. Eg, FMS came up with version after version of their P-51, with very little changes between versions. Some would even call it blasphemy, but that's going a bit overboard. If it does have the newer 100A, it should have reverse. If it doesn't, that should be a "crime". Some of the current owners of the original have already upgraded to a powertrain much above what this V2 is offering. Many have gone to the inrunner and some even to the 12-blade.
I suppose like most of these V2 restocks, those who have been waiting for stock to come back, will jump on this while they still have stock. In that sense, the marketing works.

Conflicting info: latest version has 12-blades or 9-blades?

[Dr8820]

I’m not sure it really has reverse thrust

It does according to the “requires” list; it says 7 channels to fly, 7-9 channels for thrust reversing and gyro.

(That’s why I said barely mentioned 😁)

[Evan D]

On the main page it says it has 100A ESCs once. It says it has 80A ESCs three times. The old 80's did not have reversing. I do see that it says reversing under radio requirements but it says "2x 80A ESCs with reverse thrust and EC5 connector (installed)" and the 80A ESCs were not reversing.

Whoever is maintaining the website needs to get their act together and not just for this plane.

It does according to the “requires” list; it says 7 channels to fly, 7-9 channels for thrust reversing and gyro.

(That’s why I said barely mentioned 😁)

I've wanted a real V2 forever. I have had two of these and have a pair of 2150's and 100A ESCs ready if one comes up at a good price in the classifieds.

[JamesonC]

I think the use of the term "V2" for models that have been "out of stock" for months is simply a marketing trick, something that was first seen with FMS. Eg, FMS came up with version after version of their P-51, with very little changes between versions. Some would even call it blasphemy, but that's going a bit overboard. If it does have the newer 100A, it should have reverse. If it doesn't, that should be a "crime". Some of the current owners of the original have already upgraded to a powertrain much above what this V2 is offering. To keep it an outrunner with 9-blades is almost embarrassing. Many have gone to the inrunner and some even to the 12-blade.
I suppose like most of these V2 restocks, those who have been waiting for stock to come back, will jump on this while they still have stock. In that sense, the marketing works.

This isn't marketed as a V2 though...

[kallend]

I think the use of the term "V2" for models that have been "out of stock" for months is simply a marketing trick, something that was first seen with FMS. Eg, FMS came up with version after version of their P-51, with very little changes between versions. Some would even call it blasphemy, but that's going a bit overboard. If it does have the newer 100A, it should have reverse. If it doesn't, that should be a "crime". Some of the current owners of the original have already upgraded to a powertrain much above what this V2 is offering. To keep it an outrunner with 9-blades is almost embarrassing. Many have gone to the inrunner and some even to the 12-blade.
I suppose like most of these V2 restocks, those who have been waiting for stock to come back, will jump on this while they still have stock. In that sense, the marketing works.

They need to fix the main landing gear too.