Okay guys, here is another build review for an older kit, but one that has absolutely blown me away!!
Out of the Box:
As per Freewing's usual style, everything in the box was very secure, individually bagged, and the double-decker shipping crate had everything in a nice, tight package belying the actual size of the completed airplane.
The Build:
The build on this older airframe involved a little more gluing than Freewing's newer models, but everything went together very smoothly. The elevator and booms are all glued to together, with the wires pre-installed. The booms also have a carbon fiber spar that goes into the wing for extra support at this critical junction. The wings bolt on, and are removable, but the connections make it undesirable to do so. The flap connection is right at the wing root with no extra wire, and the light hook up is almost the same. The wing tip fuel tanks glue on, and the lights become a permanent connection here.
I bought the ARF Plus version of the plane intending to put the 8S system in it. I opted for the 6S inrunner upgrade instead as there is no room in the battery compartment for the extra batteries. My 6S 5000 fits nicely, and I use a NiMh receiver battery as a fail safe instead of using the Lipo for power. I put a Castle Creations 120A Talon ESC in the plane, and had to do some modification to the compartment to make it fit. The Freewing 6S inrunner was a drop in fit.
Set-up:
With all of the servos, horns, and push-rods pre installed, set-up was a snap. All of the pre labeled wires went into my Lemon receiver, and after correcting throw direction, it was good to go. There are no recommended throws in the manual, so I left the pushrods how they were, and went with 100% EPA in the transmitter.
The Maiden:
On a beautiful afternoon here in South Carolina, I took this Red and White beauty out into the sun for the first time, and it just gleamed at me and screamed, "Put me in the sky!!" Batteries in place, I did the first taxi out into the grass, and was surprised at how well it moved around. With the extremely low ground clearance I was a bit worried. Taxied out to the end of the runway, and put the gas to the 6S inrunner, The plane shot across the ground, hit a bump after 45 feet or so, and was airborne without a care. I Kept the climb-out shallow, but it quickly became apparent that it would have immediately gone vertical if I had asked it to!! No trim was applied to the airplane after one high speed circuit, so I began to test the airplanes aerobatic capabilities. Rolls are crisp and fast. It lacks a little in knife edge do to smaller rudders, but is manageable. I was so thoroughly impressed, that when my timer went off at 2 1/2 minutes, I did not want to land. Reluctantly, I set up on final, and started my approach. Apparently the airplane shared my enthusiasm for the sky, as it did not want to settle. Throttled back up, went around and got her to the ground. She likes to bounce, so you have to make as level a landing as you can.
Closing Thought:
WOW!! Absolutely impressive on the ground and in the air. Stunning paint job, good looking profile, unique character and incredible in the air. The plane has already become my hands down favorite EDF to fly with only three flights on it(see video link). It flies better than most of the propeller driven aircraft that I have, and the ONLY plane that I have that I would rather have in the air is the P-38.
Out of the Box:
As per Freewing's usual style, everything in the box was very secure, individually bagged, and the double-decker shipping crate had everything in a nice, tight package belying the actual size of the completed airplane.
The Build:
The build on this older airframe involved a little more gluing than Freewing's newer models, but everything went together very smoothly. The elevator and booms are all glued to together, with the wires pre-installed. The booms also have a carbon fiber spar that goes into the wing for extra support at this critical junction. The wings bolt on, and are removable, but the connections make it undesirable to do so. The flap connection is right at the wing root with no extra wire, and the light hook up is almost the same. The wing tip fuel tanks glue on, and the lights become a permanent connection here.
I bought the ARF Plus version of the plane intending to put the 8S system in it. I opted for the 6S inrunner upgrade instead as there is no room in the battery compartment for the extra batteries. My 6S 5000 fits nicely, and I use a NiMh receiver battery as a fail safe instead of using the Lipo for power. I put a Castle Creations 120A Talon ESC in the plane, and had to do some modification to the compartment to make it fit. The Freewing 6S inrunner was a drop in fit.
Set-up:
With all of the servos, horns, and push-rods pre installed, set-up was a snap. All of the pre labeled wires went into my Lemon receiver, and after correcting throw direction, it was good to go. There are no recommended throws in the manual, so I left the pushrods how they were, and went with 100% EPA in the transmitter.
The Maiden:
On a beautiful afternoon here in South Carolina, I took this Red and White beauty out into the sun for the first time, and it just gleamed at me and screamed, "Put me in the sky!!" Batteries in place, I did the first taxi out into the grass, and was surprised at how well it moved around. With the extremely low ground clearance I was a bit worried. Taxied out to the end of the runway, and put the gas to the 6S inrunner, The plane shot across the ground, hit a bump after 45 feet or so, and was airborne without a care. I Kept the climb-out shallow, but it quickly became apparent that it would have immediately gone vertical if I had asked it to!! No trim was applied to the airplane after one high speed circuit, so I began to test the airplanes aerobatic capabilities. Rolls are crisp and fast. It lacks a little in knife edge do to smaller rudders, but is manageable. I was so thoroughly impressed, that when my timer went off at 2 1/2 minutes, I did not want to land. Reluctantly, I set up on final, and started my approach. Apparently the airplane shared my enthusiasm for the sky, as it did not want to settle. Throttled back up, went around and got her to the ground. She likes to bounce, so you have to make as level a landing as you can.
Closing Thought:
WOW!! Absolutely impressive on the ground and in the air. Stunning paint job, good looking profile, unique character and incredible in the air. The plane has already become my hands down favorite EDF to fly with only three flights on it(see video link). It flies better than most of the propeller driven aircraft that I have, and the ONLY plane that I have that I would rather have in the air is the P-38.
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