Official Freewing Vulcan 70mm EDF Jet Thread

[danimataro]

So this was my 4th EDF jet maiden, and the best one by FAR. The jet performed great - it tolerated my flying skills (or lack there of) very well ;)

Went with the Liperior 6S 3300 40C. 3.5 min flight. 3.87V per cell after landing. Must have gotten the CG and pushrods right; it didn't need any trim (that I could tell).
Had rates set at 60/80/100 all with 35% expo. Took off with 60, later turned on the gyro (A:30 E:30 R:30) and felt the need to try 80 - much better.
The jet seemed pretty forgiving - I think I banked too sharp at least a couple of times, but with power so no stalls.
Very pleasantly surprised at how smooth and well behaved it flew.

Congratulations on your inaugural flight with the VULCAN, my friend! As I said, the VULCAN is a great airplane, well-built, with good electronics and good engine power. A very, very good landing again, my sincere congratulations! Now to continue enjoying this wonderful and "fast" airplane, which I'm sure will give you many good flying days. Today I lent my VULCAN to a friend at the club where I fly, and he liked it so much that he's already ordered it from MOTION RC, and he'll be getting another box with a blue tape with another VULCAN for him...

Greetings to all!!!

[Quadflyer68]

Thank you Danimataro :) I was surprised how well it slowed down and landed after reading a bunch of posts saying it comes in like a missile with wings lol.
I like this flying field a LOT. It's way better suited for EDF jet newbies like me. Let's hope the good vibes continue ...

[Alphonso]

It can come in like a missile if you don't slow it down yes. But I wouldn't warn someone about that as it can also fly really slow. Bit like saying you can't park a corvette cos it's fast.

[Quadflyer68]

Well, I hope I do as well with the Avanti as I'm doing with the Vulcan :)
Flight 2 the next day was just as good - got the landing on the first try so no go-around.

[Quadflyer68]

The wings are so short on that F-104. No wonder it has to go really fast!
I'll stick with longer wings - for now ;)

[runamuk0]

Does the ESC support thrust reverse? If so, how do I set it up?

[xviper]

Does the ESC support thrust reverse? If so, how do I set it up?

No. How you can tell is if the throttle lead has a 4th wire ending in a servo plug of its own. If that's the case, you plug that into any empty RX port and assign a switch to that channel. You can also buy an ESC that has reversing capabilities or you can buy a Spektrum smart ESC and use a Spektrum smart RX and "forward program" reverse. (Spektrum does not have a wired reverse lead.)

[Alphonso]

No. How you can tell is if the throttle lead has a 4th wire ending in a servo plug of its own. If that's the case, you plug that into any empty RX port and assign a switch to that channel. You can also buy an ESC that has reversing capabilities or you can buy a Spektrum smart ESC and use a Spektrum smart RX and "forward program" reverse. (Spektrum does not have a wired reverse lead.)

mines 2 years old and came with an 80A reversing esc. I've never used it but it's there, 4th yellow wire with a plug on the end yes?

I've contradicted you twice in different threads now, not my intention honestly, I really am quite a pleasant person.

[xviper]

mines 2 years old and came with an 80A reversing esc. I've never used it but it's there, 4th yellow wire with a plug on the end yes?

I've contradicted you twice in different threads now, not my intention honestly, I really am quite a pleasant person.

Yes, it's the 4th yellow wire with plug is the reverse. I sold mine a few months ago, so can't check but I can't remember if it had reverse or not.
Here's the replacement ESC for the 6s Vulcan:

https://www.motionrc.com/products/freewing-80-amp-brushless-esc-049d002002

As you can see, there is no 4th yellow wire.

Here is the replacement ESC for the 4s Vulcan:

https://www.motionrc.com/products/freewing-60-amp-brushless-esc-for-70mm-f-16-v2-049d002001

You can clearly see the 4th wire.

In any case, the key point is that 4th yellow wire. If it has it, then it's got reverse.

PS. Contradicting me is not a big deal, so not really all that noteworthy. I'm not always right and don't get worked up when someone points it out.

[Alphonso]

Purely in jest, no disrespect intended

[xviper]

Purely in jest, no disrespect intended

No harm, no foul, not disrespected. We good.



Just as a further clarification for "runamuk0", Hi Perf. Vulcans did not have reversing ESCs. I sort of recall that mine did not have it. This is also the answer given on the Vulcan webpage "Q&A" section where MotionRC replied to "Adam" when he asked this question. This was from Aug./2025.

Motion RC 08/05/2025
Hello Adam, This model does not have reverse thrust at the moment; however, the ESC could be replaced with a reverse thrust-capable unit.

https://www.motionrc.com/products/freewing-vulcan-high-performance-70mm-edf-sport-jet-pnp-fj21911p

[CF-105]

Finally got some Sky under my Vulcan for the first time in a long while (at least a year?). Previous was using some 6S 5000s that, quite frankly, were too worn out for EDF use. 3:30 on the timer with small margin for a missed approach, and they were pretty warm. Now flying on SMC HV2 6S 4900s. What a difference! 5 minutes with a couple of full throttle runs, barely warm and still at about 54% once back on the ground.

[Quadflyer68]

Sweet little jet, for sure. Landing gear springs seem a bit 'strong' given the weight of the plane (compared to the Avanti at least). I wish it sounded a little less like a hair-dryer though ;)

Question regarding the ESC. Why would I have to have high/full rates (100%) selected in order for the ESC to arm? I calibrated the throttle (it needs high rates to calibrate too), and hooked the reverse lead to CH9 on the LemonRx. In the monitor screen on the NX10 I can see CH9 always puts out -100/+100 regardless of the rates selected. Same for the throttle channel.

I have throttle cut on a switch that buries the throttle to -150. Doesn't matter if this is enabled or not.

If I unplug the reverse lead from the Rx, then the ESC will arm at any rate setting (I have 60-80-100). Seems odd ... unless it's stupidly simple and I'm missing it.

[xviper]

Question regarding the ESC. Why would I have to have high/full rates (100%) selected in order for the ESC to arm? I calibrated the throttle (it needs high rates to calibrate too), and hooked the reverse lead to CH9 on the LemonRx. In the monitor screen on the NX10 I can see CH9 always puts out -100/+100 regardless of the rates selected. Same for the throttle channel.

If I unplug the reverse lead from the Rx, then the ESC will arm at any rate setting (I have 60-80-100). Seems odd ... unless it's stupidly simple and I'm missing it.

Where do you see this? I've read the Vulcan manual and the ESC manual. I can't see anything about needing full rates for ESC arming. Usually, when full rates are needed, this is in reference to Spektrum's gyro settings where it needs full rates to select a switch for activating "Safe". Throttle calibration and reverse should not be affected by "rates" for the control surfaces UNLESS you've got some kind of cross-over in "channel assign" with your throttle channel or ch. 9. Sometimes, in order for throttle arming, throttle trim needs to be as low as possible. That's the only time I've a relationship between trim settings and ESC arming.

[Evan D]

Why have rates on throttle anyway?

[Fast N Light]

Sweet little jet, for sure. Landing gear springs seem a bit 'strong' given the weight of the plane (compared to the Avanti at least). I wish it sounded a little less like a hair-dryer though ;)

Very pleased with this model. My second one.

Agree the springs are on the stiff side for my flying off a dirt strip. Using Dubros low bounce tires to soften the total spring rate and add some damping. Pleased with the result.

Mine is very quiet. Woosh on full power. Using a modified J Kallend nozzle which matches the foam ID and OD to a gnats a**. Nozzle file posted here.

[Quadflyer68]

Where do you see this? I've read the Vulcan manual and the ESC manual. I can't see anything about needing full rates for ESC arming. Usually, when full rates are needed, this is in reference to Spektrum's gyro settings where it needs full rates to select a switch for activating "Safe". Throttle calibration and reverse should not be affected by "rates" for the control surfaces UNLESS you've got some kind of cross-over in "channel assign" with your throttle channel or ch. 9. Sometimes, in order for throttle arming, throttle trim needs to be as low as possible. That's the only time I've a relationship between trim settings and ESC arming.

I'm experiencing it in real life :) Didn't read it anywhere, just what I have to do to arm the ESC. I agree, it's strange. None of my other jets do this, and I copy the model in the Tx to make new ones - this one was copied from the Avanti, which works fine.

I'm using LemonRx receivers in all my jets too. 7Ch Rxs in 64mm Viper and L-39. 10Ch Rxs in 80mm Avanti and 70mm Vulcan.

Same Tx, same Rx, different ESC is where my mind is going (?) Unless the Rx is flakey ...

[Quadflyer68]

Very pleased with this model. My second one.

Agree the springs are on the stiff side for my flying off a dirt strip. Using Dubros low bounce tires to soften the total spring rate and add some damping. Pleased with the result.

Mine is very quiet. Woosh on full power. Using a modified J Kallend nozzle which matches the foam ID and OD to a gnats a**. Nozzle file posted here.

Excellent nozzle!

I agree - love the Vulcan. It's actually more forgiving than the Avanti when I do stupid things, lol :)

I might try some weaker springs from another jet. Stock gear are practically solid with no give.

[Quadflyer68]

Where are all the recent posts ?

[freakbrother]

Where are all the recent posts ?

Innocent victims of the spam attack, I guess. Every one of my old posts has disappeared (not that it's any great loss).