Official Freewing 64mm F-14 Tomcat Twin 64mm EDF Jet Thread

[MikeT]

So I replaced the elevator servos with Hitec HS85MG. Now I notice a constant twitching in the servo's on both elevators? Looks like they are constantly moving at couple mm in both directions. Doing this with gyro off and in gyro mode with same results. Tested servos before install and no issues. Tried to isolate issue by unplugging Hitec servo's and plugging stock servos on the control board and no more twitching. Stock servos seem to work correctly but as soon as I plug in the Hitec servos again the twitching returns. I've updated all my jets elevators with Hitec's and never seen this issue before. Any ideas?

Was there a reason you swapped servos or was it just something you do ?

Mike

[nuts-n-volts]

You'll probably have to go straight to the Rx and physically bypass the board.

[Cape Jets]

So I replaced the elevator servos with Hitec HS85MG. Now I notice a constant twitching in the servo's on both elevators? Looks like they are constantly moving at couple mm in both directions. Doing this with gyro off and in gyro mode with same results. Tested servos before install and no issues. Tried to isolate issue by unplugging Hitec servo's and plugging stock servos on the control board and no more twitching. Stock servos seem to work correctly but as soon as I plug in the Hitec servos again the twitching returns. I've updated all my jets elevators with Hitec's and never seen this issue before. Any ideas?

[kallend]

I have a question for those setting up their F-14 on a Spectrum transmitter. I am in the middle of setting up my F-14. I noticed I had to reverse aileron and elevator in the servo setup. With all the concerns of getting the gyro working correctly and with my experience these reverse settings are supposed to be done before gyro setup. I haven't gotten to testing yet. Just wondering.

Also, I notice my rudders are not perfectly 90 degrees to the fuse. Anyone else have that issue?

1. Suggest you test before worrying about it. Instructions on how to deal with any issues are in Wes's video posted previously.

2. They aren't meant to be at 90 degrees. They are canted out.

Both of your questions were also answered in the other forum where you asked the exact same thing.

[SanExup]

While easy to set up you still have to go through everything and make adjustments or changes to servos and pushrods. Check the gyro direction of correction with the level flight mode. I had to reverse servos and the gyro still worked perfectly.

[pdansalvish]

I have a question for those setting up their F-14 on a Spectrum transmitter. I am in the middle of setting up my F-14. I noticed I had to reverse aileron and elevator in the servo setup. With all the concerns of getting the gyro working correctly and with my experience these reverse settings are supposed to be done before gyro setup. I haven't gotten to testing yet. Just wondering.

Also, I notice my rudders are not perfectly 90 degrees to the fuse. Anyone else have that issue?

[kallend]

What did you use for landing lights? Where to get? I was thinking of the nose wheel light mount like a lot of other planes I have.

Since this wasn't answered, what I used was a cheap white 1W LED bead on the nose leg, and wired it directly to the "Taxi Light" pins on the control board. No other components needed.

[kallend]

The armament for the Tomcat is not up to the same standard as the rest of the airframe (IMO), especially the Sidewinders which are horrible.

I have put properly shaped nosecones for the Phoenix and Sparrow, and a complete 3DP Sidewinder at 1:15 scale, on

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6544737

[Cobbster]

After a few flights I gotta say freewing hit this one out of the park! I set mine up as per Wes's video and its a joy to fly. If anything ,its a little floaty with flaps down. It maneuvers well with the wings for ,mid or swept,A pleasant surprise, the other two tomcats I have owned became very nose heavy with the wings aft. Good choice on the paint scheme! I can see the white real good. I was afraid of the 64mm power ,but its got plenty with "normal batteries{ not HV }. I guess the Chinese don't like RIOs,WSOs or Copilots but other than that Its great!

[MikeT]

Thanks , I'll check it out. I need another airframe like I need a hole in the head , but what the hell.

Mike

[canamwing]

I'm interested to hear how this one does up in the hands of average modelers.

Mike

There is a good video on youtube with a RC pilot flying it off a runway at an air park in Tennasee! He did a great job filming it. That should answer your questions. Watch all his videos on the F-14 64mm Tomcat. I think he does three. You will see the progression.

https://youtu.be/LEMHFP8UHzo?si=8YUpJC5zuAedLPx9

[barron06]

Sadly, I think the writing is on the wall for the twin 80mm F-14 (I've owned 3). With this release, any hope for a V2 or tech refresh is dead. Based on what I see, the 64mm is the better TC.. for many reasons. Unlike the 80mm version, this one was not released half baked. I may be wrong but, as they say "The king is dead, long live the king!"

[kallend]

Figured I won't use it on the low pass. I do like the idea of setting up the gears down and flaps idea also. I was wondering if you need to be close to zero RPMs before reversing to motor? I typical land with ~1/4 throttle, and have the reversing bound to the Bind button. Being that its an electrical motor(no gears) it should be okay. Just don't want to have to replace motor so early if it burns up so windings....

Clearwater/Dunedin is nice place. Unfortunately, I need to travel up to Pasco to fly. No more room here in Pinellas County. And it's getting more crowded by the minute!

The ESC momentarily cuts the throttle when reversing , but the change is still quite abrupt if you have any throttle open at all. I used the sequencer on my TX to insert a 1/2 second delay before throttling up in reverse to allow the fan to stop.

[Hammer007]

Figured I won't use it on the low pass. I do like the idea of setting up the gears down and flaps idea also. I was wondering if you need to be close to zero RPMs before reversing to motor? I typical land with ~1/4 throttle, and have the reversing bound to the Bind button. Being that its an electrical motor(no gears) it should be okay. Just don't want to have to replace motor so early if it burns up so windings....

Clearwater/Dunedin is nice place. Unfortunately, I need to travel up to Pasco to fly. No more room here in Pinellas County. And it's getting more crowded by the minute!

[kallend]

Q: New to the Reverse Thrust. Any Dos & Don't ?

Mine is set up so it can't be activated unless the gear is down and the flaps are either half or full.

[Elbee]

Hammer007

Don't use it while performing a low pass.

Seriously, I hope you will report back here with any 'do's and don'ts' about thrust reversing ESC's and your Tomcat.

I have the 80mm ARF+ version I will be building later this year and would like to add thrust reversing ESC's instead of the standard MiG ESC's.

Welcome to "The Squawk". Glad to have you onboard, Sir.

Best, LB

PS: we had an older townhouse in Clearwater for a couple years and miss it terribly. Beautiful city.

[Hammer007]

Q: New to the Reverse Thrust. Any Dos & Don't ?

[Skosh25]

checked yesterday morning to pull the trigger on this one and noticed out of stock already. Tom ETA on next batch?

[Cobbster]

I got mine set up, better weather tomorrow for maiden. fixed the only minus so far.

[dahawk]

We added the KM RC Model double
Universal afterburners in the New Freewing F-14A They look amazing!! Just a slight modification needed for these and the stock screws do not fit because the 64mm has smaller holes than the 80/90mm EDF units. We also added in scale lighting to the back for the strobes, and the nose light, as well as the additional pilot will be placed in there tonight! I do not have any additional small green lights at this time. Otherwise I would have one in the cockpit as well. The maiden will be tomorrow if the wind is not as bad. We are super excited!! Motion RC #HamiltonHangar

What did you use for landing lights? Where to get? I was thinking of the nose wheel light mount like a lot of other planes I have.