When will Freewing come out with a F-4 Phantom II?

[Ks.jetflyer]

SEA color for sure. Make it a single edf to keep it affordable. I'm passing on the A-4 cause I want an F-4.

[MOFO1]

I already have a paint scheme ready for the F-4. A hint the scheme will be that of the last flying Phantoms. My eyes are starting to go south so bring it on Motion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! before my eyes are to old for jets.

[dahawk]

KS, I'd be happy with a single 80. Make it a powerful 80mm. This plane will need lots of power. Strong LG. Grass ops friendly.Big battery bay. Don't really need the LE slats. Price it along the lines of the A-4, Mig-21, F5, A6, etc.Thats the sweet spot. ARF+ or PNP. Navy, Marines and USAF livery options to make everyone happy.

I do have the A-4 on pre-order. Had to have.

[Evoman]

There has been a lot of debate of what would be the best power setup for a future Freewing F-4 model mostly based on someones wishes.
I think there will eventually have to be either two models to please everyone like the affordable 70mm F-16 and the bigger more scale like 90mm F-16 or one single model that does it all. There could be either a twin 70mm or single 80mm for the cheap model and a twin 80mm or heck why not even do twin 90mm to go Super full scale!

I just want the F-4 to live up to its full potential while still striking a reasonable balance with performance and affordability. One of the F-4 main capabilities was its powerful engines that gave it the advantage to power out of any situation that was not going its way. So having big power is just part of the whole F-4 Phantom experience. Sure it might cost more but just like the real F-4 it was expensive to operate because it was a gas guzzler. According to the info I found it cost $6,962.80 per flight hour in today's money to operate an F-4. Which is still cheaper than an F-15 at $23,124 per hour.
So I am just going to leave it to the designers to make the best call to get this iconic jet right.
See the below video to hear from the the pilots who flew the F-4 in Vietnam description of what it was like to power up an F-4 Phantom.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62fI...utu.be&t=8m40s

[DCORSAIR]

I don't know the guy who built it but it sure looks real in the air don't it?....:Cool:

I too almost passed on the A-4 because it was 80mm but I had to have it, hope the F-4 is 90mm, I will still buy it anyway.:)

[Grossman56]

This would be the greatest contribution to jet foamies is a long time. Heck, lets hope that it's in line with the A-10 with twin 80's in her, take my money, PLEASE!

[dahawk]

A-10 ? Check. A4? Check F4J Phantom? Gotta have !

[ryramZ]

A-10 ? Check. A4? Check F4J Phantom? Gotta have !

So true lol.
these kill me, for real, belly laughing.

thanks!

[Alpha10]

Please FW, could you make one look like this, I promise to buy two.:Cool:

A definite MUST HAVE!

[tdford6]

In a somewhat related tangent, philosophizing for a moment on the F-4 and other frequently requested airplanes in general, I will say that we've learned over the years that we need to take more than online polls and posts into account when deciding which aircraft to make. We don't do anyone any good if we make unsustainable business decisions that weaken our ability to deliver quality products and service to our customers. The development cost for a large aircraft like the Freewing 80mm F-14D, for example, approaches six figures, not including actually producing the model. The F-14 was a "unicorn" for many people, and for years we've all read the countless posts from people proclaiming they'd buy a big F-14 in a heartbeat. Long story, we made a big F-14, and a year later it's still a great seller (one of our top five), but I must also recognize that many of those who said they'd buy one, didn't. Obviously we don't take it personally, this is a fact of life in consumer products. It is well known among all the RC manufacturers, and in fact I'd extend this statement to just about any hobby or consumer product, that the conversion ratio from people who verbally support a product's creation to people who actually buy that product when it is created is never 1:1. In our experience, it's closer to 5:1-8:1.

I've been in retail pretty much my whole life. No, not model airplanes. But the same rule applies. One thing you find out quick, or should, is that you can't be both the buyer and the seller. Yes you can put a lot of brains and heart into a project. But if you don't have something that people want to buy, well, we all know what happens. MRC has been the best thing to electronic models, since lipo batteries. I'm sure I'd be out of the hobby if it wasn't for them. The way that they've molded themselves into the creation and development of new models is nothing less of awesome. It's a great time to be into electric models, and I look forward to what the future brings.

There's always risk. There's always guess work. Your business sometimes involves dealing with peoples hearts. I don't think that is so when someone like BestBuy sells a 60" tv (ok, well everyone loves a 60"). There are obviously popular models, and models that a mere few try to make popular. I'm not going to say I agree with every decision MRC has made on models and options (some with conjunction with FW). But, if numbers are how decisions are made. I'm sure they've had some lessons learned.

From the statement above it does sound like MRC is disappointed with F14 sales, even though admitted as one of the best sellers they have. ?? I myself was one that was really excited for the unicorn. I didn't jump on the preorder wagon, but I did finally get one. I unfortunately had some issues with mine. I think it was a great piece of engineering. But a step back in the landing gear. Most that have the F14 know where the weak point is, where the mains will punch through the fuse into the swing wing. During hard landings, or just over time especially on grass ops. My naive comment would be that the project was rushed in some way or fashion. I don't want to go on because I do love it. But I probably won't replace mine unless some improvements are made to strengthening the main LG area. Please do so, you'll sell more.

I prefer 4000s, but have used 5000s and 5800s. The 5000s are simple to fit, simply unscrew the top wood plate. No cutting needed anywhere, no modifications.

We purposely design a wide battery range for aircraft where possible. But, in the same way Eflite recommends a 3s 1800 pack for their PZ T-28 yet we all know it can fly a 3s 3000 just fine, manufacturers will often spec the lightest possible arrangement because in general planes fly better when lighter. Not all planes, but it's a good general rule.

Any twin 80mm we make, for the record, will be capable of fitting and balancing with 4000 and 5000, because we design them to fit/CG from the start. So, don't let that dissuade you from owning an F-14D ;)

I have to comment that I was unable to balance the F14 with Admiral 5000's (1st gen Admirals) - without modification (stock bird). I had to carve out foam all the way to the aluminum wing box to even come close. Admiral's are known to be one of the lightest in their respective size. So I'm surprised when hearing about other pilots flying with such large packs. The newest of the new sound to have better battery configurations (A10, A4).

[Aros]

Now THAT is one sexy beast right there!! Come on Freewing! Pleeeeease!! :)

[dahawk]

Aros, I thought Mark was a Navy guy. Hopeful for a B or J version. But make a C&D livery scheme too. Everybody's happy. The Robin Olds USAF or the Duke Cunningham USN.

I want to chase Mig 21's !

Hawk

[cashmoneybrother]

Make a 1/9th scale and I'll buy one on the first shipment. Chasing Mig 21 would be epic!

[Alpha10]

Now THAT is one sexy beast right there!! Come on Freewing! Pleeeeease!! :)

We NEEEEED this... In exactly that scheme too! Wow...

[waytooslow]

We NEEEEED this... In exactly that scheme too! Wow...

Used to watch these come and go when I was a kid on Clark AFB. My dad (MAC pilot) would take us to a parking place right under flight path at the apron. was amazing to have those roar over us.Good times. I would be a customer as well.

[Pencon]

I had an FMS f4 70mm.It was a great edf and looked really scal e in the air. I actually sheeted just the tops of the wings with. 005 aluminium ( sanded off coke cans before I realized you could buy rolls of the stuff ) with simulated rivets and covered the tail feathers with burnt. 005 stainless. Launched it with a bungee launcher, it actually still flew awesome with the added weight. Until I smoked it into the ground . It was my favourite edf. If Motion still sold the 70mm I'd buy another one .I'd definitely buy the freewing 90mm. I'd even be happy with a scaled up 90mm FMS copy. I think the FMS scale outline was more accurate than the eflite.

[dahawk]

They could buy the molds from eflight and go from there. Single 80mm. I think the real challenge is getting the hstab correct. Not only the proper rc flying angle but strength. Sandwich the foam between 1/32 balsa sheets.

[davegee]

I concur with everyone else on the thread on coming out with an F-4 Phantom II model. I'm all IN!!

[Aros]

Latest insider information:

Aros wants an F4 II really, really bad! LOL

[Ks.jetflyer]

Latest insider information:

Aros wants an F4 II really, really bad! LOL

Does that mean the preorder button is coming soon?:)