All-New Freewing PJ50 Twin 70mm EDF Jet - Official Thread

[xviper]

If it takes them longer than a certain amount of time to sell a container load or other set amount of a given model, they are ready to move on and sell something that moves faster.

I suspect this is the case (but who knows for sure). We now see the same happening with the X-Fy J-65. Those who sell it is "out of stock" and it is doubtful if it will ever get back into stock. I love my PJ50 but in a world where military jets dominate, a Biz jet may be a hard sell.

[tab28682]

Wonder why this little Jet is discontinued.....such great a EDF !!??

TwistedGrin

If it takes them longer than a certain amount of time to sell a container load or other set amount of a given model, they are ready to move on and sell something that moves faster.

[xviper]

I prefer my PJ over my AL but I think it doesn't appeal to those who are into military type jets. Now, if it was modified into the latest SAAB Global Eye that Canada is about to get, it might garner more interest.

[TwistedGrin]

Wonder why this little Jet is discontinued.....such great a EDF !!??

TwistedGrin

[tab28682]

If anyone needs parts, grab them now, as the PJ50 has been discontinued

I thought I had lost one of the winglets (cracked mount) and started looking for a replacement. Found out about the discontinued status. RC Castle has a few parts left, as does MRC.

Looked harder in my model trailer and found the wayward winglet. Good thing, as the winglet is only available as part of a set of wings, now.

[Wrex450]

Finally got around to setting this bird up, been great to fly in calm or wind. ~50 flights, and settled with CG at 20mm behind the marks. Flying with AS3X+, (including nose wheel) with throttle based gains (thank you Jon @ 2 bros).

My landing area is narrow and full of crosswinds, but the gyro mitigates the turbulence extremely well. I started off with the ailerons reflexed but after some high altitude testing, I put them back to stock since I’ve got the gyro. Land with just a bit of power, flare and she’s consistent no matter the conditions. Flying stock rates, on full throws, she rolls like a fighter jet, lots of fun.

I was most surprised by the sound, the fans sound fantastic, the best of all my jets. I can only imagine how good a twin 80mm sounds, someday I’ll have one!

Side note: if you haven’t tried throttle based gains, my .02 it’s worth the trouble to learn and setup. I wasn't unhappy with my previous setups, they worked well so I was hesitant to try something new. The performance improvement is dramatic, and now I’ve setup all my jets this way.

[TwistedGrin]

Hey Fellas - where are you getting your Pilot figures for this jet from?

TwistedGrin

[xviper]

I didn't change them as such. I just taped them together so they became 1 connection instead of 3 for the lights.

[Beaver73]

Love this edf, has anyone else opted to change the led wiring so the wing is easily removed? I couldn’t fit it in my car, and barely fit in the bed of the truck. I snipped the led wires to the wing, and put on some servo extension wire/connectors.

[Larry D]

Really happy with the new paint scheme . A buddy of mine and fellow club member did the painting, so a big shout out and thanks to Greg. Brief flight video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLOrPBfTOPo

[TwistedGrin]

Wow this bird flies really nice. It's very quiet and slippery.....easily lands on the rear mains with full flaps like an arrow.....way faster than I expected it could go....but also able to cruise at 30% throttle....looks great in the air

My maiden was totally uneventful and smooth.....three more flights proved the same....smooth flier.....perhaps elegance could be a good description

TwistedGrin

[TwistedGrin]

Still waiting for a maiden date......deployed a nosewheel support brace which might help longevity for grass operations. I also cleaned up my wiring to make it easier for field assembly....it does make it less fiddly when the wires are bound together and fastened to the fuselage sides. Transport-Storage wing bag protectors incorporate velcro strips for single wing or two separate wings ....ready to go

TwistedGrin

[TwistedGrin]

Really enjoy some of these EDF's..... HK Vampire, BH Mig17, Freewing AL37, Freewing B2Bomber, E-flite F-16....this FW PJ50 should round out my EDF hanger just fine....I'm in

TwistedGrin

[RCS1313]

Not new to the hobby--1984ish.....just a smidge of the hanger.
have the PJ50...took note of the 3 to 5mm reflex on the ailerons...great idea! Will do that as I have only flown her one time and did experience the dutch roll on landing. No gyro yet but will take your advice to heart.
I started my jet experience with a Byron F16, the Byron Bullet , the Avonds Rafale and have two turbines, the BVM Mig15 and a Hotspot ---sold by Yellow Aircraft before they went out of business. I have had the Hotspot in about a 70% complete build and bought the kit in the early 90's, not sure I will ever get it finished??? Too many planes, not enough time
Don't tell the wife , but close to 70 planes, some new, some quite old, in the hanger. Probably have built and/or assembled close to 275 + aircraft since starting in the hobby... Rod

[RCS1313]

[GliderGuy]

Hey Gliderguy...new to this forum, but I somehow get the impression that you are recommending a gyro for this bird...eh?

Welcome! When I first flew it, seemed good with no gyro. But with more windy gusty day experience, she Dutch rolls on final WAY TOO MUCH for fun.

Added a 3-axis gyro at 60% gain and she’s a different bird.

She is now my go-to bird for windy gusty days.

The other item….with the stick centered, manually adjust each aileron up 5 mm from trailing edge streamline.

-GG

[RCS1313]

Hey Gliderguy...new to this forum, but I somehow get the impression that you are recommending a gyro for this bird...eh?

[Larry D]

Successful (and uneventful) maiden last Sunday (04/07/24). Thanks for all the suggestions and recommendations gentlemen. Takeoff roll was slower than I thought it should be but I think it was because of the thick grass on our runway creating a lot of drag on the gear. A couple of tiny issues left to correct but those will be worked out in the next few flights I'm sure. I will have to improve my crosswind takeoff technique with this one for sure. A friend helped me with a quick connect/disconnect harness for the wing/belly lights. All-in-all, very pleased. Excellent flyer. My "fleet" consists of mostly warbirds (prop and edf) so this is a nice change of pace for me.

Thanks for the pictures and video on your strobe light connections Tom on what you did. Gave me some good ideas that actually worked!
GG - Good recommendations all around. Next flights I'll turn the stabilization on and I'm sure it will fly even better in the wind.

Thanks again guys!

[GliderGuy]

Hi Larry….I leave mine assembled, so I cannot address your question. I will suggest you read all the posts in this forum. Lots to know about the PJ.

She’s my overall favorite, but only if…..
1) You install a gyro.
2) Manually adjust both ailerons 5 mm up from the trailing edge line when the stick is centered.

Fail to do these, and she will Dutch roll on final approach on gusty days….a handful to land. If you heed the advice, she’s VERY tame even up to 20 mph gusty wind days.

-GG

[Larry D]

Hi guys. I will likely be pulling the trigger on the PJ50 in the very near future. I am sure it will be a great addition to the fleet. I have some questions I am hoping a few of you who have experience can help answer and they all have to do with electrical connections. Looking at the "assembly" videos and looking at the manual that is available online it appears the connections from the wings are similar to the connections and assembly with the FL F4U EXCEPT for a few lights to hook up. Ok, I've got that. Transport of a 1700mm ws is going to require removal of the wings for transport for me and of course re-installing those wings every time I take her to the field. Not a problem, but it just seems a bit more difficult than it needs to be.

Question: Have any of you come up with a better connection / disconnect solution? Sure I can do quick disconnects for the lights and live with running the ribbon cables to the blue box each time, but there has got to be a better way than flipping upside down, securing the wings, then flip right side up and attaching all the connections inside the bay. I don't want to re-invent a wheel. A lot of you guys are marvelous engineers! What magic modifications have you made that makes it easier? Are you willing to share that information? Please!