Official Freewing Twin 70mm SR-71 Blackbird with Gyro EDF Jet Thread

[CAPTNG]

Speaking of the included SR-71 GYRO, I'm a little unsure of how to plug the gyro leads into my receiver. The manual doesn't address the connections other than showing a schematic. The AER leads are all single wires split out from a standard 3-wire lead. I'm assuming that I plug these leads into the Signal ports of the corresponding control surface (top pin for Spektrum receivers) and the 3-wire Gyro Mode lead into the Flight Mode port. Yes?

[GliderGuy]

Removed

[Evan D]

The SR has "SAFE" in the stock gyro.

[CAPTNG]

Why keep it simple when you can do it complicated? Not me, I want to fly and not tinker. ;-)

Good point. I will probably do the first couple of flights with the stock gyro then see about switching over. I like to fly with SAFE. Part of the hobby is tinkering.
I'm hoping to hear from others who switch to Spektrum AS3X receivers.

Also,part of the hobby is model detailing. Not much to do with this one. A lot of models come with black control horns and control-rod ends, so why, oh why did Freewing opt for white ones on the Blackbird? Detailing list: paint the control rod heads and servo horns flat black (carefully so as not to interfere with their operation); take a Sharpie (rather than paint) to the screw heads (it is surprising how much difference in ground appearance this makes); probably going to do this up as a NASA plane and get Callie Graphics instead of using the included water decals; maybe trade out the stock pilots for 1/17 scale (smaller) if I can find some.

[EDF-Jetpilot]

Question for techno-pilots: can this be flown with a Spektrum AR8060T that has SAFE/AS3X and bypass the Freewing gyro?

May I ask why you want to do that? Don't cause yourself any more problems and use the built-in gyro, that will definitely work better. Unless you're an SR-71 pro and can set the AS3X values very precisely on your first flight - otherwise good luck.
You can still use your receiver, you just have to leave the gyro values off, that's no problem and I do that with the B2, the F-14 and probably also with the SR-71.

Why keep it simple when you can do it complicated? Not me, I want to fly and not tinker. ;-)

[CAPTNG]

The question is, can the AR8360T replace the gyro and PNP receiver in the Freewing SR-71?

I just got a qualified "yes" from MRC. "Depends on your experience level and willingness to test and tune. At your own risk."

Now I need to figure out how to bypass the gyro -- weird wiring coming out (single wires of different colors for AER) but looks like regular leads going to the gyro. Where there's smoke....

[Evan D]

The gyro in the F-14 is in the control board so it's a little different than bypassing an external gyro like the 80mm F-22 PnP has. But still not hard.

[kallend]

Oh, that was your V3?

Yes. This is my V2 (which is EPS)

[kallend]

OOPS. Cut n paste err. So the question is, can the AR8360T replace the gyro and PNP receiver in the Freewing SR-71?

I imagine so, since it can certainly replace the stock gyro in the twin 64mm F-14 and in the 80mm F-22.

[Evan D]

Oh, that was your V3?

Really? What kind of foam is in the SR71 then? The Euro has EPO.

[CAPTNG]

AR8060T - is that a new receiver? I'm only familiar with the AR8360T and AR8020T in 8ch receivers from Spek.

OOPS. Cut n paste err. So the question is, can the AR8360T replace the gyro and PNP receiver in the Freewing SR-71?

[kallend]

Question for techno-pilots: can this be flown with a Spektrum AR8060T that has SAFE/AS3X and bypass the Freewing gyro?

AR8060T - is that a new receiver? I'm only familiar with the AR8360T and AR8020T in 8ch receivers from Spek.

[kallend]

Not the same kind of foam so irrelevant.

Really? What kind of foam is in the SR71 then? The Euro has EPO.

[GliderGuy]

All done except for the decals.

Post build impressions…drum roll please…and I am not affiliated with MRC LOL…here goes…

The quality of this PNP plane is excellent. I did not run into any snags getting her ready. The Admiral 6000 needed to be slid to the aft of the front battery bay to get the CG spot on (gear down). If one were to go with 2 batteries, some tail weight would be needed.

The range check was great. All quadrants. I have yet to taxi her, so I cannot comment on how well the nose gear is centered straight.

I added RF Chokes right at both ESCs on the lines that head back into the fuselage and an additional RF Choke between the UBEC and the RX. There is a green toroid ferrite choke already installed. I added another. RF Chokes are SOOO important to help prevent RF noise from the ESCs from disrupting your receiver.

A majority of the screws are Torx. I liked that! The inner main doors came default to “not scale”. They close after gear extension. I liked that that, too. It gets them out of harms way.

All the factory-installed screws were tight! The gyro was default “normal” (steady green light), and test “flying” in my hands proved that the gyro configuration is correct. There is an App you can download to configure the gyro, should you need to.

With the magnetic nose off, there is ample room in the bed of my Titan. Her right main fit into the tie down for the B-2…nice.

There is a seam line in the tail cone. I lined up the inner control surface with this seam. Then I lined the outer control’s trailing edge to the inner control’s trailing edge. I’m gonna start with about 3-5 mm of “trailing edge up”. Most of my birds require up elevator in cruise.

Rain for the next several days. Ugh.

Overall, I am VERY well pleased with the quality and design features. I’m ready to see how she holds up to her first 1,000 landings.

Next up…pilot flight reports as soon as the weather permits. Not going with any EXPO and will maiden on low rate. 6 ch gear, so no chute, no gyro settings changes, and no reverse thrust. I do plan to upgrade radios, so these other “neat’ features will be enabled soon. Timer is set for 3 minutes, and I will maiden at 50% throttle cruise. I anticipate 4-5 minutes at 50% throttle plus some full power acro (loops) and fast low passes…leaving 3.8V is my goal.

-GG

[GliderGuy]

Got her assembled! Easy build / beautiful finish. Now to check out the gyro function for correctness and adjust servo connectors for centered position. Mount the RX, etc.

Then check the CG.

[CAPTNG]

Mine arrived today. Looks fantastic! Planning a few minor changes (painting control links and screw heads, possibly updating the oversized pilots) before the maiden. Still haven’t settled on what scheme to choose for markings.

Question for techno-pilots: can this be flown with a Spektrum AR8060T that has SAFE/AS3X and bypass the Freewing gyro?

[Evan D]

Not the same kind of foam so irrelevant.

[kallend]

Do you not have any foam planes that have gatored???

My "Blackjack" Eurofighter is coming up to 2 years and has no gatoring on the black (or anywhere else). I do keep it under the trees when at the field and not in the air.

[Evan D]

Do you not have any foam planes that have gatored???

[Reptielenfreak]

I think alle black is the way to go, so no extra decals.

I wonder what will happen to the foam if you leave it in direct sun.. they specificly tell in the video not to do that and to store it cool