Official Freewing F/A-18C Hornet 90mm EDF Thread

[Peteflys]

Put two coats spar urethane on mine. Could have gotten away with one coat, but I figured two coats, just in case I missed a spot. This is great stuff, used it on my Tigercat, holds up well to the heat in the desert. Love the foam brushes too. You can cut them to whatever size you need for very small areas, like canopy rails. Took a couple pics this morning just after the sun came up. Very shiny!

[fredmdbud]

Problem with this anecdote is that it wasn’t the Hornet that got messed up, but the escort/chase plane...

[Bobaroo]

Astute as always Fred.

Clearly, the interplay of Aerodynamics and Wing Stores was demonstrated.

[DCORSAIR]

I will bring this up one more time just for kicks, I was talking to a guy at our Church tonight who is a retired F-18 pilot about my F-18 and showed him my pictures of mine, he said, that looks really good and accurate on the weathering, he was impressed, wow, thought I over did it on the weathering myself, so anyway I asked him if he had an answer as to why my F-18 flew the way it did with my centerline tank installed, his answer was really funny, he said this, I dont know the reason your jet flew the way it did, but I will say this, most F-18 pilots hate to fly with the drop tanks, but we have to...........

[Bobaroo]

I will bring this up one more time just for kicks, I was talking to a guy at our Church tonight who is a retired F-18 pilot about my F-18 and showed him my pictures of mine, he said, that looks really good and accurate on the weathering, he was impressed, wow, thought I over did it on the weathering myself, so anyway I asked him if he had an answer as to why my F-18 flew the way it did with my centerline tank installed, his answer was really funny, he said this, I dont know the reason your jet would flew the way it did, but I will say this, most F-18 pilots hate to fly with the drop tanks, but we have to...........

I've read many accounts of FSA F-4 Centerline Tanks bouncing off the Belly. Jettisoning them made a lot of guys nervous.

[fredmdbud]

Astute as always Fred.

Clearly, the interplay of Aerodynamics and Wing Stores was demonstrated.

But the stores didn’t interfere with the plane’s handling, just that jettison was “not optimal”, so not really illustrative of what was seen on the FW Hornet.

of course, if it did, the plane would never have gotten to that point lol

[Elbee]

Got some lighting done.

RCJD, Absolutely Perfect. Bravo Zulu. Best, LB

[Hoomi]

I can picture a couple of Admirals watching the test, and when this happens one says to the other, "Huh. You think maybe we should order chase/observation aircraft to maintain a bit more distance from test aircraft?"

[Bobaroo]

I can picture a couple of Admirals watching the test, and when this happens one says to the other, "Huh. You think maybe we should order chase/observation aircraft to maintain a bit more distance from test aircraft?"

I know !!...Right ?? Hahahahaha

[RCjetdude]

I know !!...Right ?? Hahahahaha

What plane is that?

[gooniac33]

Saw another go down this weekend. this one appeared to have a right side elevator not working.... pretty painful to watch...

Mine is coming this week! Will be swapping servos out first thing... and no blue box!!

[Bobaroo]

What plane is that?

'That'... is the Little Brother to 'This' YA !!! Both fly Exceptionally well with their CLTanks installed. The LittleGuy as well as the SM F/A-18C in 1:8 have a Details4Scale FuelTank on the CenterlineStation. I've got AuxFuel on the CenterlineStation of the F-16, F-15, F-4 and A-4. Getting a Good Structural Anchoring of these 'Heavy' tanks when they're loaded is really the only challenge to them. Once emptied, there is very little Aerodynamic influence being generated by them in flight.

I'm not sure why people are appearing to have difficulties with flying a CLTank on this FW 'Hornet'. I will be finding out soon enough if there is anything 'Unusual' going on with that. Full OrdPackages are a must for me on a 'FleetBird' version of a Hornet !!!

Love your work JD !! Exciting Stuff Cheers

[Bobaroo]

Saw another go down this weekend. this one appeared to have a right side elevator not working.... pretty painful to watch...

Mine is coming this week! Will be swapping servos out first thing... and no blue box!!

Awwwwww.... You're just a ScaredyCat !! Send me your BlueBoxes and Servos !! I'll put them in one of my F-16's !!! NOT !!! Hahahahaha

[DCORSAIR]

'That'... is the Little Brother to 'This' YA !!! Both fly Exceptionally well with their CLTanks installed. The LittleGuy as well as the SM F/A-18C in 1:8 have a Details4Scale FuelTank on the CenterlineStation. I've got AuxFuel on the CenterlineStation of the F-16, F-15, F-4 and A-4. Getting a Good Structural Anchoring of these 'Heavy' tanks when they're loaded is really the only challenge to them. Once emptied, there is very little Aerodynamic influence being generated by them in flight.

I'm not sure why people are appearing to have difficulties with flying a CLTank on this FW 'Hornet'. I will be finding out soon enough if there is anything 'Unusual' going on with that. Full OrdPackages are a must for me on a 'FleetBird' version of a Hornet !!!

Love your work JD !! Exciting Stuff Cheers

Your the expert on drop tank mounting so I'am sure your F-18 will fly just fine with a centerline tank, when you say people, I haven't seen or know of anyone else besides myself who has tried it on this FW F-18.

[Bobaroo]

Your the expert on drop tank mounting so I'am sure your F-18 will fly just fine with a centerline tank, when you say people, I haven't seen or know of anyone else besides myself who has tried it on this FW F-18.

Indeed !!! You appear to be the First to actually boldly go there and 'Fly' with one !!! ..... But there are some people having 'Great Difficulty' with even the Concept of doing it !!! Hahahahaha

[fredmdbud]

Your the expert on drop tank mounting so I'am sure your F-18 will fly just fine with a centerline tank, when you say people, I haven't seen or know of anyone else besides myself who has tried it on this FW F-18.

Doesn't James count?

[Bobaroo]

Doesn't James count?

Considering the issue being discussed here is specific to the Centerline Tanks.... Not Really !!

[Imladris18]

Yes, I just checked it out and I found a guy flying with the drop tank on the FMS F-18, it was mounted about like I had mine and looks to fly just fine. I might try mounting it up closer to the fuselage and a stronger mount like someone suggested, or wait until someone else tries it with the results.

I actually had a really similar experience as you when I put the centerline tank on my FMS Super Hornet. All of the wing ordnance is fine, but as soon as I put that center on, it gets really wonky. I simply just don't fly with it.

[Bobaroo]

I actually had a really similar experience as you when I put the centerline tank on my FMS Super Hornet. All of the wing ordnance is fine, but as soon as I put that center on, it gets really wonky. I simply just don't fly with it.

Exaaaaaaaaaactly !!! That is the central issue. I'll get it solved and post about it for those open minded individuals here who might wanna try it for themselves. Cheers

[RCjetdude]

Interesting. I have only ever seen an FMS 70mm F-18 fly with the CL tank but it seemed fine and the pilot never complained about it. I am sure there will be others soon enough giving it a try. Sooner than I will get there with mine most likely. Thanks for paving the way DC and the words of caution. Glad you got it down safely.