Official Freewing 90mm F-104 Starfighter Thread

[DCORSAIR]

Well, its ready for its maiden flight, as soon as the rain stops in the next few days I hope.

[DCORSAIR]

Well, mine will be here soon, can't wait to fly it. Any of you have some suggestions on the maiden flight??....;)

[DCORSAIR]

Wow, great save there uurl. Okay, really thinking about getting this one after watching all the videos. I know this is has been asked a bunch I'm sure, exactly where is the CG located that everyone is using to start with, 78mm as per the manual?? Reason I'm asking is, I see a lot of videos where you can see right from the take off that it is tail heavy, some guys just take off nice and smooth, let me know, can someone post a pic with it upside down and marked cg?? Also when balanced, are we talking slighty nose down or level?? I balance all my planes, jets, helis with nose down, I like the heavy nose feel anyway, I set everything up that way. If I missed this in a post somewhere, sorry.

[gooniac33]

Here are the 2 flights I got on video...

[urrl]

Yesterday morning flight.

[urrl]

Congrats Gooniac!
Here are some previous flights...Don't know how the rudder was so maladjusted, but at least I will look at control surfaces more closely from now on

[gooniac33]

I got mine in the air today!!! I got 4 flights on it and am totally in love with it! It is stock and flies like a bullet!! super stable and should not be able to fly as well as it does! Can not wait to fly it again!!

[urrl]

mispost....

[StormyDog1962]

So true, you have to fly these type of planes all the way in. 3D planes sometimes get people into bad habits thinking they can just chop the Throttle and Elevator these planes to the ground and they are in for a rude awakening when that Tip Stall kicks in.

[gooniac33]

Thanks for posting Urrl, I really appreciate this kind of analysis and added context behind your videos. I agree with you that anyone flying a Starfighter should be of sufficient skill level to already know this aircraft won't take too kindly to steep banks at slow speed. But seeing things visually like this is an excellent teacher and reminder!

Almost all of these 90mm birds need lots of care when landing!! It isn't the usual chop the throttle and let it sink type of deal. This is much more involved and requires the skills to land a jet under power controlling altitude with the throttle and attitude with the other controls. The F-5 is probably the best plane to get you used to having to set up for landings in this fashion...

I have my 104 still in the box and will hopefully get going on it here this week. I would love to get it airborne by sunday... The F-15 and Mig-21 have been a blast!!! This plane looks to be just as much fun once you give it the respect that it deserves!!

[Alpha]

Thanks for posting Urrl, I really appreciate this kind of analysis and added context behind your videos. I agree with you that anyone flying a Starfighter should be of sufficient skill level to already know this aircraft won't take too kindly to steep banks at slow speed. But seeing things visually like this is an excellent teacher and reminder!

[urrl]

I would recommend not to bank too steeply and not to glide in while banking during your landing approach, but by now I'm pretty sure most of you know that.

[urrl]

Thanks Gooniac33
To me the Freewing 90mm F-15 is a pretty, trust worthy home girl but the F-104 is the gorgeous, fickle minx with an occasional suicidal tendency; she must be kept on a short leash and I don't think I'll ever really get to fully know her, but that is part of her allure. That is why, when there is no cross wind, that she is the first in the field. She is a great jet and full of excitement as long as you treat her like the real thing; the Widowmaker that she is. Be warned; never forget it and don't bank too steeply.

[gooniac33]

Thanks. Another recent flight.

You are really making that thing fly great!! Keep up the good work! Mine shows tomorrow!! Can no wait! I will be picking your brain for set up advice...

[RCjetdude]

Excellent video. You have really got the landings dialed in. Great job!

[urrl]

Thanks. Another recent flight.

[Grossman56]

Looks great Urrl, sometimes a guy just needs a drag chute though...
LOL

Grossman56

[Westsider]

That F-104 is wicked!

[urrl]

[urrl]

3 flights Nov 9th