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

[Aros]

I couldn't help myself. I am a glutton for punishment as they say. Welcome home #8. Yes, as in my 8th Freewing F/A-18C Hornet. It was a deal I couldn't pass up. This was my buddy's pride and joy. He is intensely meticulous with his models (even came with wing AND stab bags). He said this one flew "right" out of the box. Zero issues or gremlins, no trouble at all. Perfectly dialed in and comes with a Spektrum gyro that works flawlessly. I'm going to upload his .SPM file so I will have his exact setup and settings. So now, if the unthinkable occurs, I will have nobody to blame but Mr. Dumb Thumbs. I also told him if the unthinkable DOES happen, I will never tell him and move to another state.



Bonus points, she fits in my Toyota Supra!!

[The swede]

I also have the exact same problem with my flaps.
It has resulted in me always landing with take off flaps. Because it has always worked. I'm going crazy when I can't find the error. I thought this error was solved with V2 of this F18 but apparently not. But you may have to change to a stronger servo or change to the inner hole on the servo arm?

[Evan D]

The slow down issue is another thing. I think for the F-18 the servos on flaps are just borderline powerful enough and at speed the forces are too much for the little servo. Also some set it up with more travel and there could be binding of the flap on the side of the fuselage.

When I set up mine I moved the pushrod in on the servo for better mechanical advantage and have had no issues.

[Elbee]

[QUOTE=Hugh Wiedman;n350901]As I've mentioned in the past, both of my F-18's have had issues with one flap (not always the same one) not deploying while in flight (works fine on the ground even with holding them to see if they stop). Guess I'm lucky, but had the same issue on my Avanti and both of my B-24's. With those, I reduced the speed to 1 second or less and have never had the problem again. On both F-18's, even at 0 seconds, it sometimes occurred and unlike with the Avanti or B-24, when one doesn't go down to landing flaps and the other does, it's a "Fire Drill" trying to keep it from spiraling while offsetting with Ail and flipping the flap switch back up! So with both, I bypassed the circuit board wiring the ailerons and flaps directly to the RX and finally replaced both flap servos on each (I suspect the 9 gr servo's just don't have enough guts when in the air, but who knows). The only issue was I did not like plugging and unplugging ail/flaps every time out, which ultimately wears the connector out, so I just found a really nice alternative.

When building out my Extreme Flight FW 190, they use a multi wire servo plug for easy connection. Comes either for 3 servos or 2. So I put the 2 servo ones in each wing of both and now I'm happy as a clam. The side with the flange even fits nicely in the space where the ribbon connector was and mounts with 2 screws. The connection is much nicer than even the ribbon cables. If you have need of something like this, you can get them at Extreme Flight.
/QUOTE]

Hugh, great idea. I will be updating all the wiring in my 'bug' this winter. I just don't like my lighting layout either. There's got to be a neater and more efficient layout. Best, LB

[InTheTubeDeep]

Flying Toaster survives another Beach mission...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBkh2_tlwX0

[Hugh Wiedman]

As I've mentioned in the past, both of my F-18's have had issues with one flap (not always the same one) not deploying while in flight (works fine on the ground even with holding them to see if they stop). Guess I'm lucky, but had the same issue on my Avanti and both of my B-24's. With those, I reduced the speed to 1 second or less and have never had the problem again. On both F-18's, even at 0 seconds, it sometimes occurred and unlike with the Avanti or B-24, when one doesn't go down to landing flaps and the other does, it's a "Fire Drill" trying to keep it from spiraling while offsetting with Ail and flipping the flap switch back up! So with both, I bypassed the circuit board wiring the ailerons and flaps directly to the RX and finally replaced both flap servos on each (I suspect the 9 gr servo's just don't have enough guts when in the air, but who knows). The only issue was I did not like plugging and unplugging ail/flaps every time out, which ultimately wears the connector out, so I just found a really nice alternative.

When building out my Extreme Flight FW 190, they use a multi wire servo plug for easy connection. Comes either for 3 servos or 2. So I put the 2 servo ones in each wing of both and now I'm happy as a clam. The side with the flange even fits nicely in the space where the ribbon connector was and mounts with 2 screws. The connection is much nicer than even the ribbon cables. If you have need of something like this, you can get them at Extreme Flight.



Don't they look Happy!

[InTheTubeDeep]

Gorgeous morning on the beach

[InTheTubeDeep]

ID, Great addition to your BA Bug. The missile rails were an absolute requirement to this model, IMO. There were several designs floating around from both RCG and here early on. I, too, designed a rail but in 4-parts mostly to add some additional detail. The inner most NAV light part was my objective though mine does not light up like RCjetdude did to his Hornet. If you find those posts to his model, it is a masterpiece in both lighting and modification. He does great work. Best, LB

Very nicely done LB! I printed mine in 2 pieces at first then figured out the ordnance attachment piece could be printed in place much easier. On my beloved EF Su30 I flew a few flights with full armaments but that 'Sokol' Aerobatic scheme would never fly with missiles so I made pylon rails looks way more scale 🤩

[Elbee]

ID, Great addition to your BA Bug. The missile rails were an absolute requirement to this model, IMO. There were several designs floating around from both RCG and here early on. I, too, designed a rail but in 4-parts mostly to add some additional detail. The inner most NAV light part was my objective though mine does not light up like RCjetdude did to his Hornet. If you find those posts to his model, it is a masterpiece in both lighting and modification. He does great work. Best, LB

[InTheTubeDeep]

Never gets old, Brother. That's why you are the Southeast Group Commander, your attention to detail combined with all the fun toys. Best, LB

Wow amazing work LB- Impressive!! I have the Prusa MK3 great printer, I put the $199 down on the hopefully soon to be released XL, saw the promo vid could not resist! I really needed a larger build area the XL was rumored to be 400x400x400 but the production XL came out at 360x360x360. I grabbed a Anycubic Kobra Max in the meantime- 450x400x400 perfect for my project, an Su30 same scale as the E-flite, also I designed floats for the Grand Tundra with built in retracts and LEDs. I made wingtip rails for this FW F-18 one piece in PETG-If any one needs wingtip rails LMK!

[Elbee]

LB's "unofficial" job is lead secret designer for the Skunk Works division. You should see his work on the 1600mm Corsair, complete with cockpit, moving canopy, functional cowl flaps and double wasp engine, just to name a few.

The F18 cockpit is a work of Art! Unfortunately the files are now highly classified and have been removed from public access by the military to keep China from stealing them.

I used the JHH 1/10 scale full body pilot in my F18 Canadian.

Never miss an opportunity to show it off
🤣

Never gets old, Brother. That's why you are the Southeast Group Commander, your attention to detail combined with all the fun toys. Best, LB

[Hugh Wiedman]

All good- btw did you 3D design print that cockpit?

LB's "unofficial" job is lead secret designer for the Skunk Works division. You should see his work on the 1600mm Corsair, complete with cockpit, moving canopy, functional cowl flaps and double wasp engine, just to name a few.

The F18 cockpit is a work of Art! Unfortunately the files are now highly classified and have been removed from public access by the military to keep China from stealing them.

I used the JHH 1/10 scale full body pilot in my F18 Canadian.

Never miss an opportunity to show it off
🤣

[Elbee]

For the Freewing F-18C, yes. The STL files are buried somewhere in this Official Thread. Like 10 sets or something. If I knew the post numbers, I'd tell you, but I don't. Probably easier to check the Prusa repository. It is called Prusa Printables I think, just search it there's only one. Search the User name: Stevie or Freewing I think works there. Best, LB

[InTheTubeDeep]

ITTD, this would have been enough; however, apology appreciated/accepted. Respectfully, LB

All good- btw did you 3D design print that cockpit?

[Elbee]

Elbee, Aros- apologies for my rants-

ITTD, this would have been enough; however, apology appreciated/accepted. Respectfully, LB

[Aros]

Elbee, Aros- apologies for my rants- the fact that this is a privately run group was lost in the reactions to my beach flying- As for FAA looking at your F4U blowing up and wondering if the hobby is too unsafe has to be a joke right? He must've been messing with you- if not I gotta say its truly disturbing that the FAA has nothing better to do than that!!

Rants are part of the fabric of any forum community. As long as they don't fester and become destructive to a thread or the general discourse of the community I could care less. Appreciate the apology. The FAA looking into my video and taking it seriously was no joke. He was dead serious about what his buddy said. And I definitely believe it. This was a year or three before drones became the hot topic too.

The FAA could care less about our feelings as RC pilots. They care about the safety of the US Airspace, period. They look at us, and civilian drone "pilots" (and boy do I use that term loosely) as nothing more than a threat to said airspace. Make no mistake, they are looking for any and every reason to sanction the hobby.

[davegee]

SWEEEET Dave! Awesome looking bird and the cockpit knocks it outta the park!!

Thanks for all your help with my questions on the 3D printed cockpit and CG stuff, Hugh. I was happy that my calculation of CG and yours for your plane were fairly close. It flies great with the new cockpit, which is a relief. I don't think I used a single click of trim on the flight today with the new cockpit.

[Hugh Wiedman]

I have 11 flights on my Freewing F/A-18C as of today. This was the first time that I traded out the lighter, stock cockpit with the super detailed Elbee printed cockpit design, which looks so much better, but is quite a bit heavier. I felt comfortable enough flying the jet to where I was now ready to fly it with the detailed cockpit. I did have to move the battery aft about 50mm to account for the extra cockpit weight so that the CG would end up in the same place on the wing, where it flies best for me.

Results were good. Flew almost identically to that using stock cockpit, and I think I'll now fly it with the detailed cockpit instead. I'll post a couple pics of the deluxe cockpit. Elbee really knocked it out of the park with this one, but then, what's new??😁😁😁

Cheers

davegee

SWEEEET Dave! Awesome looking bird and the cockpit knocks it outta the park!!

[InTheTubeDeep]

Elbee, Aros- apologies for my rants- the fact that this is a privately run group was lost in the reactions to my beach flying- As for FAA looking at your F4U blowing up and wondering if the hobby is too unsafe has to be a joke right? He must've been messing with you- if not I gotta say its truly disturbing that the FAA has nothing better to do than that!! Such things drive me crazy- Bruce from RCModelReviews did a good piece on this as FAA's Remote ID was moving thru the process- he pointed out that the law says an Impact Assessment Study is required before any regulations are allowed to to be passed or enforced- yet the FAA has never done such a study and never will!! Anyway on side note last May a beachgoer told me he saw my jet on the morning news- he sees it often- i was "really!?? which news?? he said Fox5 Surf Report- I watched and sure enough they have a beach cam on the restaurant- the hot weather girl had been commenting on my planes for long time I never knew! So for while my flying location was being broadcast to San Diego visible for all to see- FAA included. I called local FAA office several times years ago asking about flying on beach- they referred me to City Parks and Recs, they passed me on to others- in the end I was told the south end and north end are not under any local ordinances knock yourself out flying also found this

https://www.droneblog.com/beach/#:~:...20is%20this%3F

One last comment- yes there is official AMA flying field, Silent Electric Flyers of San Diego SEFSD, I flew there for years- never fly there now, the city will not allow the Club to enhance the runway- its dirt, twice a year Club pays to sweep, grade, steam roll the runway, 7 days later it returns to this condition in vid, city will not allow to pave runway or even lay down a Geotex or astroturf surface unless they shell out $50k for an Environmental Impact Study! But!! They allow Club to lay old carpet in the Pit area!! and yet the entire area is surrounded by paved walk ways parking lots for SeaWorld and roads- would you guys fly a nice EDF jet here??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQSn_ybPPE4

As for vids does todays vid meet your approval? If not just tell me I'll remove ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3T0PngWVlY8

History of the Beach Cam

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hS4kMrGJ5ZU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2rOfTz0YTs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGBm5RqBsvk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nobUOaE5K1A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5HacJwgQCg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wkw-XCqUgdg

[davegee]

davegee Aros ah shucks, fellas, thanks.... things were different, you'd done the same. Just happy, ya'll happy.

Your diligent and skilled work is a real value and contribution to us scale modelers. You've shown the incredible leaps in scale that can be realized with foamie airplanes!

davegee