Official Freewing 90mm F-16 Falcon Thread

[Hugh Wiedman]

2500mah additional over the 5500 for only 110g, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with additional flight time in your F-16. You and I have different power setups so I'm curious as to how much more additional time you'll get, so please don't forget to post it here.

Just doing a mathematical calculation of the additional 2500 mah (but not considering the extra weight effects), it should translate to at least a minute or more. If I remember correctly, you're using the FMS 6S setup (or are you using and 8S setup), correct? On your post showing power draws from a few back, the HS 8000 was at something like 2880 watts and 121 Amps on your FMS fan. I'm using the 12 blade 4068-1835 Kv Freewing inrunner and all I can say is that on the RT 5500 70 C, it's drawing 2850 watts and 119 Amps, so similar, but still less than you got on the 8000, but I have no idea if any of that translates to more thrust, speed or what. I can "feel" and hear the difference in the RT 6250 35C which draws only 2600 watts and 114 amps and requires about 20 more feet of grass to get off on, but once in the air, both batteries "seem" about the same since the power draws are highest with dead air flowing through at take-off versus air entering at 60 mph or more while in flight. I know you have much more technical knowledge regarding this stuff than I do, so your input is always much appreciated. If I can get it off the deck, fly it around with a few vertical maneuvers, and land it without any mishaps, that's a win in my book.

[Phantom]

Just doing a mathematical calculation of the additional 2500 mah (but not considering the extra weight effects), it should translate to at least a minute or more. If I remember correctly, you're using the FMS 6S setup (or are you using and 8S setup), correct? On your post showing power draws from a few back, the HS 8000 was at something like 2880 watts and 121 Amps on your FMS fan. I'm using the 12 blade 4068-1835 Kv Freewing inrunner and all I can say is that on the RT 5500 70 C, it's drawing 2850 watts and 119 Amps, so similar, but still less than you got on the 8000, but I have no idea if any of that translates to more thrust, speed or what. I can "feel" and hear the difference in the RT 6250 35C which draws only 2600 watts and 114 amps and requires about 20 more feet of grass to get off on, but once in the air, both batteries "seem" about the same since the power draws are highest with dead air flowing through at take-off versus air entering at 60 mph or more while in flight. I know you have much more technical knowledge regarding this stuff than I do, so your input is always much appreciated. If I can get it off the deck, fly it around with a few vertical maneuvers, and land it without any mishaps, that's a win in my book.

I just got back from the new airfield flying my A-10. The nose gear door got snagged on some weeds on take off causing the door to jam the nose gear on it's way to the closed position. I was having too much fun to notice it at first, but once I did I dropped the gear did a gear pass to check, 3 down, and brought her in for a landing. 2 minutes 55 seconds of flight time 71% still remaining on the HS 8000mah 6s 100C. They have about 70 cycles a piece on them so far. I popped the nipples on the nose doors back in their holes and took off with the same lipos installed and flew for another 3 enthusiastic minutes, 41 and 42% remaining. I love em. Just wish they weren't a buck 59 a piece.

[Hugh Wiedman]

Got out today for a few flights today but the early afternoon rains hit, so just got 12 flights in, 3 each on 4 jets including the F-16. Had my Wild Weasel version this time. Only getting 3:30 minutes but still using the RT 5500 70 C waiting for the Hobbystar 8000's to come in, as well as an order of HRB 6000 50C (with 100C burst). I was going to try the RT 6250 35C to see how the flight time was (did use them twice before but I already know that the lower C battery gets 7-9% less take-off thrust) but the F-4 and F-18 (both outrunners so they do fine on a lower C battery) hogged them (also ordered some more 6250's, so still in short supply for those until they get here). I'm just really impressed with the F-16's flight characteristics with the inrunner the more I fly it and it just lands nose up so well (not that I'm an expert with these jets, just that the F-16 & F-18 seem to do it naturally at the right speed with only slight back pressure on the elevator).

[Aros]

Always dig your cool jets Hugh! I have to get mine down from the garage ceiling...Haven't flown mine in awhile. Got on my 90mm F-22 kick (great jet!) but since that jet virtually flies itself I need to keep current on this F-16 to keep me on my toes, lol.

[gooniac33]

Ok guys I have waited enough.... time to get a Thunderbird!!! I am about to order one now... then will plan to mess with power set ups!

[Hugh Wiedman]

Always dig your cool jets Hugh! I have to get mine down from the garage ceiling...Haven't flown mine in awhile. Got on my 90mm F-22 kick (great jet!) but since that jet virtually flies itself I need to keep current on this F-16 to keep me on my toes, lol.

It does keep us on our toes, that's for sure! Since I love your Arctic camo version, I'll come over and help you take it down from the ceiling, but you have to watch me carefully, I'd also stick it in my truck and speed off with it!

[Aros]

Just as long as you leave behind my 105mm HSD Arctic Camo we're all good.

[Hugh Wiedman]

Just as long as you leave behind my 105mm HSD Arctic Camo we're all good.

Not a chance, that's going in first!! But you don't need to include any batteries, unless you're feeling really generous!

[DCORSAIR]

Ok guys I have waited enough.... time to get a Thunderbird!!! I am about to order one now... then will plan to mess with power set ups!

Finally we talked you into a 90mm F-16.
Had two T-Birds myself, look awesome and fly great, make sure you put a coat of finish of some sort, it will yellow on you, then it's ugly.

[Johnnyrabuse]

Maidened my F16 with the F22 8 cell setup used 4000 mAh 4s no foam carving battery's pushed up past magnets to exactly the foam block on the cockpit got perfect cg

30 percent faster extremely good verticsl now after it's on step on takeoff it hangs a little on the first turn but not to bad

I fly tailerons only and fifty low 100 high flaps settles in for a fifty to seventy five foot roll out

Perfectly but there's one thing chopping throttle on landing is a no no it will drop like a stone

Half throttle it's about the same as 3/4 6s full throttle it's really good at about thirty percent more speed and about 40 percent more vertical

2.30 flight time cranking.... landing at 2.30 14 percent left

conservatively flown I can get 300 with 14 percent left

Joy to fly now next time up I'll load 5000s

I'm going to put this system in my F15 next

[Johnnyrabuse]

I've also heard the freezing f22 8 system can handle tens ???

Anybody know if this is the case and also I'm going create some venting for the battery compartment

[jefd36]

I own both 90mm f16 and f15 the f16 feels lighter and for me flys better

[Phantom]

I own both 90mm f16 and f15 the f16 feels lighter and for me flys better

So do I, my experience is completely opposite.

[Johnnyrabuse]

So do I, my experience is completely opposite.

I bet that it's a cg issue I have both jets the f15 retracts are glass compared to the f16s

The both 90s fly ok on sixes but they really needs 8s at the least and tens to really shine and fly true scale

My F 16 fly's on rails eights lands like a *****cat on tailerons flaps mix

Spoilerons create instability for me I avoid them

As far as the f 15 goes on six's I really have to fly it all the way in .... For me on final the F 15 tends to want to tip just as I settle in ....

Battery bays way better in the 16

If I cut the floor I can easily fit two 6000 admiral four cells

The f15 is a wiring nightmare if you want to fly tIl heavy

[Phantom]

The 16 is just a helluva lot heavier, with higher wing loading. In contrast the 15 is lighter, with lower wing loading, simple physics.

[Hugh Wiedman]

Phantom just posted the results of my battery IR testing and power testing on the 4068-1835 Kv inrunner in the F-16 (along with other EDF's) under 2 posts in the Batteries catagory titled LiPo Wars: Admiral vs RT/HRB/HS. I included tests on the Hobbystar 8000 you recommended (thanks for the tip) and was a little surprised how well it did given the size and weight (is it 100C, not a chance but then what is). I'm going to use it in both the F-16 and SU-30 (fits in that even easier) for longer flight times. I was using the RT 5500 70C, but the HS 8000 is just as good (along with the HRB 6000) as the RT but both have more capacity. So the RT is now on extended vacation.

[Phantom]

Phantom just posted the results of my battery IR testing and power testing on the 4068-1835 Kv inrunner in the F-16 (along with other EDF's) under 2 posts in the Batteries catagory titled LiPo Wars: Admiral vs RT/HRB/HS. I included tests on the Hobbystar 8000 you recommended (thanks for the tip) and was a little surprised how well it did given the size and weight (is it 100C, not a chance but then what is). I'm going to use it in both the F-16 and SU-30 (fits in that even easier) for longer flight times. I was using the RT 5500 70C, but the HS 8000 is just as good (along with the HRB 6000) as the RT but both have more capacity. So the RT is now on extended vacation.

Hugh,

I really appreciate your IR, and C rating testing. I've often wondered how far off the manufacturers were from their claims...

[Rcfiddy1]

What is a good replacement servo for tailerons?

[Hugh Wiedman]

Ever since our club's lawn equipment went DOA and they got a new machine, which doesn't cut as low, I've been struggling to get a couple jets off the runway, the SU-30 and the F-16 (even with flaperons and the upgraded 12 blade inrunner in the F-16). A couple days ago I was able to get a 2 1/4" Hangar 9 Pro-Lite wheel on the SU-30 which required almost no modifications, so today I struggled to address the F-16. Both had a smaller 1 7/8" wheel in the nose. Well, after several hours of grinding and modifying (and a bunch of choice words ), I was finally able to get a 2" Hangar 9 Pro-Lite on the F-16 nose. I had a few of these from other planes I don't use, but noticed they no longer sell them, the smallest being available now is the 2 1/4".

I did need to grind down the wheel assembly without destroying the functionality of the shocks so it would turn freely, and then I had to do a slight modification to the gear door. Cut the opening of the hatch aft so the wheel would swing in and had to put a small hole in the aft portion of the door over the high point of the wheel so it would close completely, but otherwise not that bad. Don't know if this will help, but I'm darn sure it won't be any worse.

[Hugh Wiedman]

Got the F-16 out yesterday to try the nose wheel modification and a couple different batteries from the RT 5500 70 C I've been using. This time changed the livery to the Fighting Razorbacks version and got it out with a stiff 15-20 mph wind. I tried the HRB 6000 mAh 50C and the Hobbystar 8000 mAh battery Phantom had suggested to me (thanks for tip).

First off, the new nose wheel worked like a charm, it took off with each battery in less that 100 feet (before that it took a good 130-150 feet), so the slightly higher AoA on the runway helped and the larger wheel (going to 2" from 1 3/4") resulted in much less drag on the grass runway, allowing it to reach V1 much easier. And it was a hot, humid day, which makes it perform like it's at a higher altitude than being at sea level. As far as the batteries, the HRB performed great, virtually the same thrust as from the RT and at the same weight (but at least $40 bucks cheaper in cost), but gave about 20 seconds more flight time (an eternity in EDF's). Surprisingly, the HS 8000 (at 900g) performed just as well and gave an additional minute over the RT (but still need to fly that battery more to gauge it's ultimate performance and flight time). So now the RT 5500 is out and the HRB and HobbyStar are in. It seems the upgraded 12 blade 4068-1835 Kv inrunner in this is worth it's cost, cause if it can fly well with a brick like the HS 8000 in it (after already being considered a "heavy" jet), that's saying something.

Unfortunately, I noticed that Hangar 9 no longer makes the 2" Pro-Light that I used but was lucky that I had several from other planes I no longer have. Not sure what a good alternative to that would be because the diameter was perfect, with only slight modification to the strut, and the width was just right and the axle hole could be drilled out to the right size. And it's not as "mushy" as the stock wheel so rolls on grass easier.
Also modified the SU-30 nose wheel to the 2 1/4" Hangar 9 (which are still made) and that also worked wonders for that flying bus (at least on take-off, it still flies like a tank). But the HS 8000 was just too heavy for it, although it took off in the same distance, but it flew like needing almost full throttle to keep it up (and thereby losing any gain in flight time) and ending up with very strained vertical. No HS 8000 for that beast anymore!

Anyway, I have attached a really bad video of both take-offs with the F-16 here, but don't give me any heat over the poor quality of the video. It was take with a friends cell phone, the wind was making it shake and I think we both had a few too many shots earlier, but at least it sort of proves that the modifications worked and the batteries are usable. Here's the video:

https://youtu.be/Nl4GVwb8dH8