Official Freewing T-33 Shooting Star 80mm EDF Thread

[theoldALFER]

One of my fellow club members flew his T 33 yesterday at the field for my first “live” view of this jet.

Now there is ABSOLUTELY NO DOUBT in my mind that I will be hitting the buy button...
and ASAP!!!

oh Callie, I have an order in mind ...

[Tim K]

I did the maiden + a couple of more flights on my T-33 yesterday. It flew great. I had a bad bounce on the second landing, (after greasing three touch and goes). On the third flight the right main gear pulled out on the landing. I looked at it, there wasn't much glue on the plastic insert. it happens sometimes. I glued it back in and got the 4th flight on it this morning on the way to work. I would suggest everyone check their main gear, especially after a bad landing.

[Helijet]

Could someone that has the kit already please tell me the main wheel diameter?
I'm doing a turbine conversion and need to order the right size wheels/brakes.

thx
dw

[Oxotnik]

I did the maiden + a couple of more flights on my T-33 yesterday. It flew great. I had a bad bounce on the second landing, (after greasing three touch and goes). On the third flight the right main gear pulled out on the landing. I looked at it, there wasn't much glue on the plastic insert. it happens sometimes. I glued it back in and got the 4th flight on it this morning on the way to work. I would suggest everyone check their main gear, especially after a bad landing.

Every time I get a new foamy with retracts, I'm tempted to rip the gear boxes out my self and properly reglue them. That said, though, I made four flights yesterday. I'm on a grass field. All four landings were a bit fast and on one of them, I got a minor bounce. The gear stay solidly attached. But, I will look at mine again this evening, to make sure that there isn't any indication that on the next landing one, or both, gear boxes will pop out.

[Dwr302]

I measured 68mm with 4mm axels. JP's 65mm would work I think.

[andrew_flyguy]

Maybe it's just me, but while I wasn't one of those jumping for the order button on this one... the more I see it, the more I find myself wanting to acquire one :)

[MrSmoothie]

Maiden + two more this morning. I can think of nothing wrong with how this plane flies -- one of the easiest maidens ever, and to my amazement, not a single click of trim correction. I think it's going to be the rare modeler who doesn't love how this one flies. I did have to tone down the control sensitivity a little bit -- it will will roll really fast, but I prefer a more scale looking flying style. But if you like instant response, etc., it'll do that too. Full flaps landings were some of the easiest I've ever had with an EDF (no learning curve as with some of my planes!).

Congrats Alpha on a truly well-done airframe.

[Helijet]

I measured 68mm with 4mm axels. JP's 65mm would work I think.

Thank you Dwr302

Dean W,

[MrSmoothie]

VDN, Yeppers, been there and it SBT. I started using post-its, yes, 3M Post-its for those types of masking. Quick spray and then pull up immediately. Mantra, "It's my hobby...it's my hobby...it's my hobby. Best, LB

Post-it notes are a good trick, except sometimes they don't stick enough or start falling off in the middle of airbrushing. Then one day at Home Depo (while I was waiting for my BEHR paint sample to be mixed, haha) I spotted Post-it EXTREME Notes and bought a package. These are terrific -- they will almost never pull up paint (on a foamie, anything could pull up paint, so be careful when lifting off) and give a very nice edge when airbrushing. I just found out they are finally making them in larger sizes too:
https://www.amazon.com/Post-Extreme-...8962165&sr=8-7

[T-CAT]

I'd say a majority of the time, my Freewing planes arrive with overall good quality control. This one from a visual standpoint is a bit on the mediocre side with its paint job and some paint chips. When something arrives new, it's nice to see when it actually looks as close to new as possible. I see some have similar issues such as with the paint chips around the tailcone and canopy like I do.

The Good:

The design of the aircraft appears great though, all the doors sit flush, plastic parts appear glued well (I tugged on plastic components that are load bearing), the screws were tight, servo arms were matching on their respective surfaces, the control rod lengths in the manual corresponds to the proper length (only one small error in the instruction manual), the plane assembled incredibly fast and easily, all electronics work properly, the nose wheel was even centered well, ESC to battery lead connectors have sufficient solder, wing connector boards were secure and soldering looks good, the landing gear and retracts appear stout, the fitment of parts are great, the plastic rear of the canopy for the latch to secure to is a nice alternative to the traditional wood piece often used, servo pockets are great and the servos are held tightly without unwanted movement, the split flaps had a thin foam piece to keep the surfaces from sticking to one another during shipment, the power system sounds well balanced, the EDF and ESC were secured well, and the black plastic tailpipe is a nice touch (although the alignment is a bit off).

The Not So Good:

- Paint chips around both sides of the canopy, near one servo pocket, near one intake, on or around the main gear doors, on one wing tank, and around the tailcone in multiple sections
- A bit misalignment of the tailcone, although not terrible
- Some bubbles in the waterside decals
- What appears to be paint runs and residue of potential moisture on the wing and fuselage
- Wing servo tape cover was not adhered and likely was at one point, but it lifted and took some paint with it.
- An upside down decal, which can be easily seen near the canopy

Although these are not major items, I have experienced much better paint quality out of the box from many Freewing planes. I'll repaint the areas in need, but it would be nice to see Freewing catch these things before it ships. I have posted pictures below of the more noticeable items to get an idea of what I am talking about.

With that said, does anyone have the paint codes (gray, orange, and green) from Home Depot for the Camo. T-33? I need to do some touch up airbrushing .

[xviper]

That's very disappointing. Let's hope you got a "Monday" plane. Or maybe the factory workers don't feel they need to devote that much care and attention to making "toys". My last 2 big planes from HobbyKing looked far better than yours when I took the parts out of the box and I wasn't expecting a lot from those.

[T-CAT]

Yeah, I have to say, it was disappointing. I still haven't contacted customer service, but I don't know if and what they would do to help. Hopefully Alpha can at least pass the word along to Freewing to ensure the rest of you don't receive planes with mediocre paint jobs, and paint chips. Even my canopy looks like it had water residue, almost like when mineral water dries and you can see the exact lines of where the moisture was.

Even though it shouldn't matter whether it is the first run of an airplane or not, I can't help but feel like I often want to wait on a new plane purchase to let the issues like this pass by on the preorder batches.

[Corsair nut]

Thats a bummer tommy :( all that money youd expect a decent product

[Corsair nut]

Heres my speed brake mod video for those interested

https://youtu.be/JG1WW3RVvS4

[bmccool]

Just unboxed my silver Tbird. It is nearly perfect paint looks good except for the flexed elevator joint. Will make a trip tomorrow to Home Depot for computer paint, silver and red along with flat clear to seal decals. Yes I will maiden it before any paint so I do not void the warranty. Is Motion going to do a mass mailing of the under wing decals or do we need to call and have them sent?

[xviper]

I can't help but feel like I often want to wait on a new plane purchase to let the issues like this pass by on the preorder batches.

I feel the same way. Pre-ordering has always given me the eebie jeebies. I'm generally never in such a hurry that I can't wait for the second run. I wasn't going to get this one on the first run but lately I've been buying one plane a year from Motion even though I can get the same product a little cheaper from another supplier. I just like to show my support to a terrific company (MotionRC). Since I don't get free shipping from Motion like many of you guys do, the final pricing does come into play when I exercise my buying decision. I'm also not one to make a fuss when a model comes to me with deficiencies so long as they aren't gawd awful and doesn't affect flight characteristics. I just remember for the next time I want to buy something and more likely than not, pass that purchase over.

[T-CAT]

Thats a bummer tommy :( all that money youd expect a decent product

Thanks Brent. Yeah, it feels like the luck of the draw when we open the box sometimes. LOL

The speed brake looks awesome that you installed. That adds some awesome detail to the jet.

[T-CAT]

I feel the same way. Pre-ordering has always given me the eebie jeebies. I'm generally never in such a hurry that I can't wait for the second run. I wasn't going to get this one on the first run but lately I've been buying one plane a year from Motion even though I can get the same product a little cheaper from another supplier. I just like to show my support to a terrific company (MotionRC). Since I don't get free shipping from Motion like many of you guys do, the final pricing does come into play when I exercise my buying decision. I'm also not one to make a fuss when a model comes to me with deficiencies so long as they aren't gawd awful and doesn't affect flight characteristics. I just remember for the next time I want to buy something and more likely than not, pass that purchase over.

Preordering is a tough one because it's fun to get new things, but it's a mixed bag of what one might receive. I can also wait for further batches of a plane if it means improved quality, working out bugs, etc. Sometimes a preorder plane has been good and other times it's not. Motion RC has been a great company to order from and the engineering input they have provided Freewing has really pushed things in a great direction. Even though Alpha works endlessly and tirelessly in China to really maximize the potential for successful products and improve quality control from Freewing, the only way we would see 100% QC standards is if he stood near ever single jet during every process and stamped QC on the products himself, LOL. That's not going to happen. Sometimes I wish it would though .

[e4dragongunner]

My Silver bullet was perfect! or Damn Near!

[T-CAT]

That's how it should be . I seemed to have received a Friday/Monday-Special.