The RCINFORMER FREEWING F-14 Thread for any and all Q&A on the Freewing F-14 TOMCAT

[dk91105]

Hate to dig this up but what is Dustin Hollomans user name here? I'm needing to inquire about the wing plates.

[xviper]

Hate to dig this up but what is Dustin Hollomans user name here? I'm needing to inquire about the wing plates.

Go to that video that RC Informer put up regarding the wing plates. Below the video screen, he's put up Dustin's email address.

[mauricesize12]

I’m new to RC planes and I have the f-14 tomcat. I have the Futaba 8 channel but I have no clue on how to connect the transmitter. There are 8 connectors coming from the motherboard but then 4 connectors fuselage. Help

[rifleman_btx]

Hope you aren't planning to fly that right away, you won't crash it, it will crash you. It's not a plane for just starting out, no edf is. I suggest get a trainer, and learn to fly before taking this up. Some of us make it look easy, but that's because we have been flying these things for years. You need a manual, first slot one is for aileron (roll control) 2 is elevator control (pitch) 3 is throttle, 4 is rudder (yaw) 5 is for retracts, ch6(normally defined as aux1) is normally flap control then7 (aux2) would be for the sweep. Be advised while this might get you airborne. There are a bunch of modifications you will have to do to get the plane to fly comfortably. And after you do the mods you need to tune the control to your own feel. This takes time, and a vast knowledge of your own capabilities vs the planes capabilities then merging that for the greatest chance for success. When it comes to edfs, you have to fly the plane. There is no reacting there is only proacting. You have to know what the plane is going to do in a situation and then have it programed in your hands, thinking is too slow, what you're gonna do to remedy the situation before you can even think about it. This plane in particular demand your full attention, it's heavy, it needs speed and a very smooth stick control. If you are planning to fly it right off. Don't say I didn't warn you of the complexity of this operation. Good luck.

[dk91105]

Go to that video that RC Informer put up regarding the wing plates. Below the video screen, he's put up Dustin's email address.

Done, thanks. We will see if he responds. From what I am finding on the internet and youtube videos on the subject nobody has really discussed the plates much in the past 2 years. Worse case I will pull the stocks, reverse engineer them, and based on photos and videos add the extra material on. I am wanting to cnc cut my own from carbon fiber sheet, either 4 or 5mm thickness. 3mm would also probably work as the stuff is ridiculously rigid.

[kallend]

I’m new to RC planes and I have the f-14 tomcat. I have the Futaba 8 channel but I have no clue on how to connect the transmitter. There are 8 connectors coming from the motherboard but then 4 connectors fuselage. Help

I hope this is a joke.

[xviper]

If it's not a joke and was posted in all seriousness, this will be a ONE flight wonder .................................................. ....... if it lasts that long.

[Kitchenman]

What are the MUST up-grades for this jet…
thanks

[mauricesize12]

If it's not a joke and was posted in all seriousness, this will be a ONE flight wonder .................................................. ....... if it lasts that long.

Not a joke. And thanks for helping

[mauricesize12]

Hope you aren't planning to fly that right away, you won't crash it, it will crash you. It's not a plane for just starting out, no edf is. I suggest get a trainer, and learn to fly before taking this up. Some of us make it look easy, but that's because we have been flying these things for years. You need a manual, first slot one is for aileron (roll control) 2 is elevator control (pitch) 3 is throttle, 4 is rudder (yaw) 5 is for retracts, ch6(normally defined as aux1) is normally flap control then7 (aux2) would be for the sweep. Be advised while this might get you airborne. There are a bunch of modifications you will have to do to get the plane to fly comfortably. And after you do the mods you need to tune the control to your own feel. This takes time, and a vast knowledge of your own capabilities vs the planes capabilities then merging that for the greatest chance for success. When it comes to edfs, you have to fly the plane. There is no reacting there is only proacting. You have to know what the plane is going to do in a situation and then have it programed in your hands, thinking is too slow, what you're gonna do to remedy the situation before you can even think about it. This plane in particular demand your full attention, it's heavy, it needs speed and a very smooth stick control. If you are planning to fly it right off. Don't say I didn't warn you of the complexity of this operation. Good luck.

[Grossman56]

Hi Mauricesize12!
I have been in the hobby for nine years and when just starting out, I did the same thing. I bought my dream airplane, an FMS P-51D and was going to use it for a first airplane. When I realized, through the guys on the Squawk at the time, that this was going to end up badly, I bought a trainer and man were they right! After my primary trainer, a Piper Cub with no ailerons, I graduated to the Freewing Pandora and flew for two seasons (which I've flown the pants off since) , then went to the 1st RC Flight School with Dave Scott and buddy boxed with him on a second P51 (a B model) before even attempting to fly it on my own. The result, after nine years of flying, my Cub hangs from the ceiling, both my Pandoras get flown throughout the season, my Mustang flies great and looks fine after flying for 7 seasons. Even my only jet, an Avanti flies great. My point being learn to crawl before you walk and learn to walk before you run.
After 9 plus years of being on Hobbysquawk, I've only heard of one person successfully flying a FMS FW 190 as his first plane. (how I'll never know, but I think he got maybe 4 flights out of it?)
The rest of us either avoided the inevitable or lined our trash cans with a lot of expensive foam. Your F14 is a fine goal and it will wait patiently in your hangar as you learn to fly. Better there than the alternative.
My advice, get a simulator (airplanes are cheap and easily repairable on a simulator) and then get a trainer. Can you buddy box with an experienced pilot?
Good luck in the hobby I sincerely hope its a great experience for you and that it lasts for years and years!
BTW, ever wonder why outfits like Motion R/C and Horizon Hobbies run out of spare parts?

Grossman56

[SanExup]

Hate to dig this up but what is Dustin Hollomans user name here? I'm needing to inquire about the wing plates.

Are you just needing the instructions that come with the wing plates? I am actually in the process of installing them in mine. I will post a photo of the instructions if that is what you need. Though I have been referencing rcinformers videos as well. The number one take away from the instructions is to get the carbon rod deeper in the foam so that the plates can go over top and still sit flush.

[dk91105]

Are you just needing the instructions that come with the wing plates? I am actually in the process of installing them in mine. I will post a photo of the instructions if that is what you need. Though I have been referencing rcinformers videos as well. The number one take away from the instructions is to get the carbon rod deeper in the foam so that the plates can go over top and still sit flush.

I'm a little worse off that that as I have none of the parts yet. Truth be told I do not want to purchase the plates from him at all as I want to make my own. I was hoping he had some sort of drawing or file that I could get started with and go from there. It would save me a ton of time to reverse engineer them. I am more than capable of doing it from scratch I just don't want to if I don't have to ya know? I have a home built cnc router and I cut carbon fiber with it quite a bit. I really enjoy working with the material and I use it wherever I can in all sorts of applications. Again I'm just a hobbyist and not looking to sell these things and take his business.

On the other hand I found a video on youtube that explains the install process of the plates quite well. I think I'm set on instructions and I also plan on leaving the carbon rod out completely and replacing it with a section of right angle.

Here are some side plates I made for my R/C car recently to try and keep air from building under the car and causing it to take flight at 80+ mph.

[xviper]

Not a joke. And thanks for helping

This is one of the more complicated planes to set up AND tricky to fly, even if you never sweep the wings in during flight. When it first came out many years ago, there was a warning on the product page at MotionRC. It stated that this plane was NOT for new pilots and was more for expert types of RC pilots. They have since removed that warning for whatever reason, most likely because enough people in the marketplace has this plane and are there to help and advice those who buy this product and to be there to pass on the warnings and cautions. A lot of set up and procedural things have been discovered along the way that are not covered in the manual or in many of the videos so far provided. This is one of those times when "buyer beware" is applicable, not so much in the sense that it's anything to do with product quality or questionable seller behavior, but more because there are so many "blind corners" in the operational aspects of the plane. Perhaps if you are really, really good with video games and flight simulators, you might be alright but history has shown this is highly unlikely.

[xviper]

What are the MUST up-grades for this jet…
thanks

What is "must do" for some may not be for others. Here is a link to the main F-14 thread. It's quite long, but it will give you most of the answers you seek.

https://www.hobbysquawk.com/forum/rc-airplanes/rc-jets/1800-official-freewing-twin-80mm-f-14d-tomcat-thread#post371030

[SanExup]

dk91105

Those look great. Are you purchasing the carbon fiber plates and just router cutting them? Or vacuum bagging parts and routing them? Where do you get the plates from? I assume you have a good vacuum system as I've read that CF dust is carcinogenic. I have a cnc machine as well that I use for work but have wanted to use it for hobbying. I just haven't delved into it but can see using it for routering CF and creating stiffness and reinforcement.

[dk91105]

dk91105

Those look great. Are you purchasing the carbon fiber plates and just router cutting them? Or vacuum bagging parts and routing them? Where do you get the plates from? I assume you have a good vacuum system as I've read that CF dust is carcinogenic. I have a cnc machine as well that I use for work but have wanted to use it for hobbying. I just haven't delved into it but can see using it for routering CF and creating stiffness and reinforcement.

I am going to try and not derail this any further but I buy the CF plates from amazon. If you need any further info message me.

[mauricesize12]

This is one of the more complicated planes to set up AND tricky to fly, even if you never sweep the wings in during flight. When it first came out many years ago, there was a warning on the product page at MotionRC. It stated that this plane was NOT for new pilots and was more for expert types of RC pilots. They have since removed that warning for whatever reason, most likely because enough people in the marketplace has this plane and are there to help and advice those who buy this product and to be there to pass on the warnings and cautions. A lot of set up and procedural things have been discovered along the way that are not covered in the manual or in many of the videos so far provided. This is one of those times when "buyer beware" is applicable, not so much in the sense that it's anything to do with product quality or questionable seller behavior, but more because there are so many "blind corners" in the operational aspects of the plane. Perhaps if you are really, really good with video games and flight simulators, you might be alright but history has shown this is highly unlikely.

thank you. I appreciate it.

[mauricesize12]

thank you. I appreciate it. I forgot to mention as crazy as this may sound but I’m a gamer and I play a lot of GTA. I’m almost possible that the simulation is very similar. I’m excellent on that game as well as flight simulator. . Now I am trying to set up the wiring on the board but there are no videos or anything that assist. Do you know anyone that could help me with setup over the phone.

[Evan D]

Where are you located? Maybe we could face time?