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

[F106DeltaDart]

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.

[ElCid]

I so want to buy this right now but until I see some grass opps and know that it can take off from grass I just can't do it. I can't imagine dragging those six rear wheels behind it is very good on a grass surface.

[GliderGuy]

Looks like this girl can come in shockingly slow at high alpha without any real issue but to avoid the unceremoniously slamming of the nose gear might require some skillful back pressure on the elevator stick.

There is always a sweet spot to avoid slamming the nose gear down and possibly getting into a crow hop situation. Either case, you will as a minimum bend the servo’s worm gear. Worst case (B-2 A-10)…you end up with a nose gear mount repair.

The B-2 needs to stay very flat in ground effect with power off to bleed speed before touching slightly nose high and as slow as possible. However, the AL-37 does best with nose held up and 4 clicks of power until just before the mains touch. Then lower the nose slowly.

Since both the SR-71 and the AL-37 are LONG between the mains and nose gear, I’m gonna try the AL-37 technique.

The PJ-50 does best with zero power on final and glider her in. With a gyro, the PJ-50 is an EASY bird to land.

Which method works best for the SR-71? Stay tuned.

Noted…the elevators are close to the mains like the B-2, so maybe the B-2 technique will be best.

Maybe someone who has flown the SR-71 will share how they land it without dropping the nose gear down after the mains touch?

-GG

[GliderGuy]

That is fast, have fun and hopefully a succesfull maiden!

I wish i could buy this one but i only have about 60 to 80 meters of runway.. i dont know if thats enough??

I fly the B-2, AL-37 and PJ-50 in 2 locations. One is 60 meters and one is 81 meters. The AL-37 eats up runway. They all do fine. However, the trick is having a hard surface that is wide enough to execute a WIDE “J” turn at the end to bleed off the remaining energy as you reach the end.

Executing a WIDE J turn at the end effectively increases the runway length.

I anticipate the SR-71 will behave similarly.

-GG

[Reptielenfreak]

That is fast, have fun and hopefully a succesfull maiden!

I wish i could buy this one but i only have about 60 to 80 meters of runway.. i dont know if thats enough??

[GliderGuy]

That’s SERVICE! IT IS HERE!!!

Will assemble tomorrow!


-GG

[Aros]

Looks like this girl can come in shockingly slow at high alpha without any real issue but to avoid the unceremoniously slamming of the nose gear might require some skillful back pressure on the elevator stick.

[Elbee]

I stand corrected, Sir. Post is deleted. Best, LB

[GliderGuy]

After the high alpha lock learning experience with the MiG-29, at least we know that chopping the throttle “might” be the way to get the nose down and recover.

Not saying anything about the SR-71….just reminding folks as I look at my busted MIG in the corner of the workshop.

-GG

[Aros]

They are in the Upgrades tab on the product page.

[Aros]

It's true that this model is not for everyone. Even if highly admired, it demands respect in the air. This is no high-wing yank and banker that's for sure. But to me, I LOVE these types of releases. Not only is it celebrating the iconic aircraft, but how you fly it as well. How boring would this hobby be if you only had sport jets and high wing aircraft?

I bought mine today and CANNOT WAIT!!

No bells and whistle add-ons for me. Bone stock!

[cg7060]

Really needs afterburner lights. That would be the cherry on top. The real deal ran the afterburners for hours on end.

[GliderGuy]

Is there any data for the SR-71 equivalent set-up compared to the stock B-2, PJ-50 or AL-37 set-ups?
I get 5 minutes out of a 6000 mAh Admiral at 50% power (with some full power acro) and land with 3.8 V and enough for a go-around or two.

The exception is the AL-37 which is a 4:30 bird at less than 50% (some acro) for some unknown reason.

I am anticipating 4:30 to 5:00 for the SR-71, based on the above.

-GG

[F106DeltaDart]

I dunno, I'm being a wet rag here and I don't want to start any argument. I anxiously await MRC's new releases.
But as cool as this is I am not a fan of MRC EDF Jets trending to more expensive and less maneuverable models. At the field I am seeing less and less of these big expensive MRC jets and I am also seeing a lot of them getting crashed after very few flights. The B-2, the new F-18, Mig- 29, F4, etc. this one probably. There are so many cool jets from history that could be much better flyers and much less expensive in terms of risk. I'm campaigning for every day aerobatic jets to put hundreds of flights on not fair weather flyer show stoppers. End Rant!
I watched the video MRC produced and for a jet with a gyro I see a lot of wing rock. The admonitions to fly a big pattern and keep your speed up, no acrobatics, a timer set to 2:30 for a 3 minute total flight point to a draggy airframe. I'm sure it will be an amazing sight when flown well under good conditions, but it's not for me.

Well, there are plenty of other models in their inventory. Sounds like the sport jets are more up your alley. I really appreciate Motion's willingness to take some risk and bring us these less modeled aircraft. I've really enjoyed the B-2, and love what I've seen of the SR. Looks like I should have mine in hand tomorrow. The bottom line is there is plenty of variety in the lineup for all. Sport jets for general fun, scale fighters for some turning and burning, and the big bombers/recon aircraft for enjoying a unique model in the air.

[Husafreak]

I dunno, I'm being a wet rag here and I don't want to start any argument. I anxiously await MRC's new releases.
But as cool as this is I am not a fan of MRC EDF Jets trending to more expensive and less maneuverable models. At the field I am seeing less and less of these big expensive MRC jets and I am also seeing a lot of them getting crashed after very few flights. The B-2, the new F-18, Mig- 29, F4, etc. this one probably. There are so many cool jets from history that could be much better flyers and much less expensive in terms of risk. I'm campaigning for every day aerobatic jets to put hundreds of flights on not fair weather flyer show stoppers. End Rant!
I watched the video MRC produced and for a jet with a gyro I see a lot of wing rock. The admonitions to fly a big pattern and keep your speed up, no acrobatics, a timer set to 2:30 for a 3 minute total flight point to a draggy airframe. I'm sure it will be an amazing sight when flown well under good conditions, but it's not for me.

[EDF-Jetpilot]

Yippie-Ya-Yay... please to you shipping on europe!
this Bird is a must have!!!!

[GliderGuy]

GliderGuy I sure hope you get this bird if only because your B-2 detailed analysis and tips and tricks to fellow community members has been nothing short of legendary, and if you can provide the same level of analysis to this model, wow.

Thanks!

It arrives Saturday per tracking info.

-GG

[Twowingtj]

Another winner from FW and MRC!

[Aros]

GliderGuy I sure hope you get this bird if only because your B-2 detailed analysis and tips and tricks to fellow community members has been nothing short of legendary, and if you can provide the same level of analysis to this model, wow.

[GliderGuy]

Wooow. What a machine.. fwing motion. Thinking outside the box. Again.. think it would test me. But veerryyyy coool

Yes…even MRC states that more benign wind conditions are better for the SR-71. My initial experience with the B-2 was “she’s a special day bird.” Has this been a problem? Not really. I get enough special days to enjoy the B-2. And, if I get to the field and the wind is too much, I fly other birds.

My point is, to lessen the chance of damage, set your mind to this being a special day bird and enjoy the SR-71 when those conditions exist.

Aside: I’ve gotten better at flying the B-2 in conditions with up to 5-7 mph. So she’s now a “not quite a special day” bird. And I have expanded my envelop a bit. I anticipate the SR-71 will follow suit.

For anyone that is a novice, make a decision to build your skills on more tame birds. Then, you can consider birds like the B-2 and SR-71.

Congratulations to Freewing and MRC for keeping RCing interesting!

-GG