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

[Hugh Wiedman]

Hugh,

I’ve had the same issue with my F-18. I installed ProMolder servos that are “high torque.” I flew it shortly after the install and no issues but haven’t flown it since then. It has sat for months without being flown, my preference has been to fly the F-4, F-16, have put a ton of flights on the A-10 as of late.

Rich

Same here, with the flap issues of the F18, been mostly flying F4/16/A-10/SU-30 & Mig 29 (which does have the ProModelers in it-outstanding servos). Thought I'd try the Hitecs this time around (which I use in all my Extreme Flight planes). Decided the F18's weren't getting enough airtime love so I gotta cure this or die trying. If the Hitecs don't cut it, I'll have to dip into petty cash (guarded by my CO and her 44 mag) and go to the Pro M's.

[jetpltrich]

Finally "bit the bullet" and did what I should have when I had issues with the flaps deploying and pulled out the Freewing 9gr servos and put in the Hitec HS-5065's. I've got 2 Hornets and must have been one of the unlucky ones as about 50% of the time, one flap (not always the same one) refused to either go to take-off flaps or landing flaps, but only in flight and it does it on each one . On the ground, they worked perfectly. First I bypassed the circuit board and went directly to the receiver. Then I reduced the delay to 0 or 1 second (which worked on my B-24 and Avanti that had the same problem). I also put new Freewing servos in and adjusted the horns to get better leverage. That worked for about 4 flights and then started again. And with a 0 second delay, it got squirrely REAL fast. So this is the las straw, if the Hitec servos don't cure the problem, I'm going to have to put a trained mouse in the cockpit and electrically shock him so he manually drops the flap. He's in training now, but hopefully I won't have to resort to animal cruelty!

All I can think is that somehow aerodynamically, there is a lot of stress on the flaps in the air. The flaps are almost twice the surface area of the ailerons and I noticed if I severely slow down after dropping the gear, it happens less often, but still occasionally happens. Any one else have this issue?

Hugh,

I’ve had the same issue with my F-18. I installed ProMolder servos that are “high torque.” I flew it shortly after the install and no issues but haven’t flown it since then. It has sat for months without being flown, my preference has been to fly the F-4, F-16, have put a ton of flights on the A-10 as of late.

Rich

[Hugh Wiedman]

Finally "bit the bullet" and did what I should have when I had issues with the flaps deploying and pulled out the Freewing 9gr servos and put in the Hitec HS-5065's. I've got 2 Hornets and must have been one of the unlucky ones as about 50% of the time, one flap (not always the same one) refused to either go to take-off flaps or landing flaps, but only in flight and it does it on each one . On the ground, they worked perfectly. First I bypassed the circuit board and went directly to the receiver. Then I reduced the delay to 0 or 1 second (which worked on my B-24 and Avanti that had the same problem). I also put new Freewing servos in and adjusted the horns to get better leverage. That worked for about 4 flights and then started again. And with a 0 second delay, it got squirrely REAL fast. So this is the las straw, if the Hitec servos don't cure the problem, I'm going to have to put a trained mouse in the cockpit and electrically shock him so he manually drops the flap. He's in training now, but hopefully I won't have to resort to animal cruelty!

All I can think is that somehow aerodynamically, there is a lot of stress on the flaps in the air. The flaps are almost twice the surface area of the ailerons and I noticed if I severely slow down after dropping the gear, it happens less often, but still occasionally happens. Any one else have this issue?

[Hawk4me]

I finally got it in there by cutting the back left vertical piece on the image shown above. After cutting that off i was able to wedge it in there enough with some effort to get it in. Used epoxy on the horizontal tab in the back. Then used CA along all the seam's to make sure it's in there good. I was surprised it popped out like it did very little damage to any foam in the gear bay. My guess is it was not glued in very well from the factory. Most of the damage from the "crash" was from the gear breaking off from the bracket and hitting the bottom of the fuse. Going to finish up the assembly tomorrow and see if I can reinforce anywhere as it seems to be a weak area due to how thin the foam is up front. Already see a spot on the lower edge left side of the bracket that could be beefed up a bit with some wood and I already have a wood bracket cut to go in some spots to. Thanks for the tips though guys I got it pretty much factory with no foam cutting so go me on that one lol.

[xviper]

As Elbee just said, FoamTac repairs of this nature can be amazinly strong, particularly when used in a "sandwich" type of situation. In fact, the glue seam is generally stronger than the surrounding solid foam and any new cracks and tears will happen there rather than in the glue seam. I only use epoxy as my example because you only need to hold it for a few minutes. FoamTac will require you to hold it for much longer but this can be done by using a jig or stuffing wads of cloth or paper towels to hold it all in place while things cure.

[Elbee]

Hawk4me, Copy xviper's advise.. If you use the "Kit Glue" (little white tube of clear adhesive) strength will not be a factor. It is the OEM and the foam will break before the glue joint. Cut away what you need to make a clean removal and re-install, but save as much of the EPO foam to replace and fill back in. If you can't find any of the OEM Glue, use Beacon Foam Tac adhesive available at Hobby Lobby and amizonian, obviously. Best, LB

[xviper]

Are you talking about the nose gear "mount"? This thing? I'm surprised it came out cleanly. It's got so many "catch" points where pieces of the broken part would be sandwiched between foam.


Remove as much stuff out of the nose gear bay first - doors, retract, rods, etc.
You will not get this piece back in without removing some foam. You may need to cut out small blocks of foam (slice with Xacto knife) where necessary so you can work it into place. Once you get it in place as a test fit, remove it and put epoxy where all the flat surfaces mate and shove the piece back in. Hold it in place till the epoxy cures (5 min. epoxy so you can hold it for that long). Once cured, epoxy all the little blocks of foam you cut out. This will wedge the piece in place be quite solid. However, this will make the next repair extremely difficult.

[Hawk4me]

Has anyone ever replaced the nose gear blue bracket? Mine snapped and came out of the foam cleanly. I got a new one but I see no realistic way of getting it in there. Trying to get 4 angles at once is pretty much impossible. I would like to not cut away any foam making it weaker than it already is if possible. Been angling this thing for 2 hours trying to find a way to get it in there. Half tempted to cut off the left side of the bracket and use some wood to make it fit tight again.

[Airguardian]

Badass.

[Aros]

Ah, sorry for the loss! Dumb Thumbs have gotten me many times over the years. I too think this model flies "weird" but then again I see plenty of folks who have no problem with it, and fly it great! I just can't be without a Blue Angel F/A-18 in my hangar, that's all there is to it, so I keep coming back.

[DCORSAIR]

LOL!!! Oh dang you I set myself up for that!

Thankfully not the case. In fact my latest one is getting an upgrade in elevator servos... D85MG Hitecs...So if this one meets the business end of terra firma I get to blame one guy...Mr. Dumb Thumbs!

Spring is coming...Stay tuned!

I already beat you on the dumb thumbs, I lost my HSD T-33 last weekend from that same problem, these ,its been several years since I've crashed anything but those thumbs just didn't work right for me that day....

Glad you guys enjoy the F-18, that is one jet I did not like, flew weird to me but it sure looks great in the air, had both and that Blue Angels is a beauty, I will give it that much, looking forward to some spring weather myself.

[Aros]

LOL!!! Oh dang you I set myself up for that!

Thankfully not the case. In fact my latest one is getting an upgrade in elevator servos... D85MG Hitecs...So if this one meets the business end of terra firma I get to blame one guy...Mr. Dumb Thumbs!

Spring is coming...Stay tuned!

[Evan D]

Damn, I saw that and thought you crashed another one!

[Aros]

Everything comes to an end eventually. Sad...My favorite F jet!

https://komonews.com/news/nation-world/boeing-top-gun-plane-airplane-end-production-fa18-super-hornet-jet-movie-2025-delivery-navy-us-united-states-tom-cruise-government-canada-finland-austrailia-malaysia-india-fleet

[Aros]

Nice flight and video!

[Dougcarr73]

https://youtu.be/VSUKAARvWqI

Great performance from those SMC LiHv batts. Topped out at 128 mph on 8S 5300 packs, but hit 140.4 on 9s 5000mah SMART Lipos

[Hajo77]

Thank you so much Guys for the quick help!

Happy flights!!!

Hajo

[Radar-Guy]

Hi Elbee,

Yes, i do have a printer :) Was just looking for the file. Been browsing this thread for a long time as I am just about to finish my F-18 :)

Best Regards

Hajo

Here you go!

Happy landings
Frank

[Hajo77]

Hi Elbee,

Yes, i do have a printer :) Was just looking for the file. Been browsing this thread for a long time as I am just about to finish my F-18 :)

Best Regards

Hajo

[Elbee]

Hi There,

Does anyone know where to get (also buy if necessary) the main wheel covers for the F/A-18?

thank you

Hajo

HJ, Welcome to Hobby Squawk, Sir. Do you have access to a 3DP printer? I have my STL Wheel Cover file for that part. I do not print and sell parts.. Best, LB