Official Freewing 90mm F-16 Falcon Thread

[F106DeltaDart]

After flying the stock colors for a while, I finally decided to switch over to the WI 115th FW Tail. Love how it looks on the F-16!

[scootergenie]

That does look nice !

[F106DeltaDart]

A few more photos from this evening

[C17loadmaster]

I love that tail too! Makes the plane look awesome. I painted my nose cone a darker shade and used acetone on a Q-tip to remove the different command emblem and replaced it with the Outstanding Unit Award like the actual aircraft.

[Aros]

Somewhere along the way I have lost my subscription to this thread so I have re-subscribed...It's been several years since I had this jet. Love the size and scale appeal but never liked how heavy she was and flew stock. I have satisfied my large scale F-16 itch with the HSD 105mm F-16 in recent years, but she too, is a chunky monkey. However, having no idea when or if Freewing will be coming out with a New Gen 90mm F-16, I thought I would revisit this model, especially after seeing Jeff's (of Jeff's Custom RC on YouTube) fabulous job of converting his to the Arctic Camo (video below)...Now I want one again, and paint it up the same!

So before I sink my teeth through 20 pages I was hoping I could get the quick and dirty Upgrade/Mod Cheat Sheet...

I assume I will need to put a new power system in it. Looking for a great solution. Something that can help offset the AUW with the appropriate thrust to weight ratio. Looking forward to any and all information!

Thanks!

[Hugh Wiedman]

I'm with svengali Aros, going to need some guidance. Was planning on getting the F18 BA for my next project, but love my F4 Blue Angel so much it doesn't seem neceessary to have another BA (and I think the F4 looks more iconic and the F18 may need a few wrinkles worked out) and this F16 Viper caught my fancy. Not the EDF expert like most of you, only have 2 F4's and a Stinger 90, so I know this might be a leap.

Gather from previous posts that the upgraded FW 4068-1835 KV inrunner is worth it. My only concern is do I even need flaperons. Never used or set them up before so I would be venturing into uncharted waters. Get the notion that a small amount is all that is needed as the ailerons run the length of the wing and I would no doubt be losing some aileron control if deflection is extreme (what, no Aros max flaps like the Corsair).

Am planning to use the Ar636 like all my other planes with rate gains in the 30's for fly around and 70-80 for take off and landing (what I use on the F4 and Stinger with no occillation). My different flight modes for rate gains are always my flap switch, which is fine with this, but there wont be any flaps I guess unless I program the flap/elevator flaperon there. Would I do it through the flap system menu or do it through a mix menu (told you I know about flaperons). BTW, using a DX6.

Thinking of doing the Lone Star livery (cause you know I have to have some color). Any help would be appreciated, but don't expect cashjust some

[C17loadmaster]

I tried out the stock 1550kv, and the 1680 Inrunner, before settling on the FMS 1900kV Outrunner. The weight loss makes all the difference in this plane. It takes off in half the distance, and lands beautifully with the CG a bit further forward than the manual lists. I’m sure you already know, but the FMS fan needs a bigger ESC. I used the YEP150A in it without any issues. I have the same setup waiting to go into an F-15, but after purchasing I have read that it doesn’t perform as well. I will find out for myself sooner or later... I will be able to remove the lead from the nose too

[gooniac33]

I tried out the stock 1550kv, and the 1680 Inrunner, before settling on the FMS 1900kV Outrunner. The weight loss makes all the difference in this plane. It takes off in half the distance, and lands beautifully with the CG a bit further forward than the manual lists. I’m sure you already know, but the FMS fan needs a bigger ESC. I used the YEP150A in it without any issues. I have the same setup waiting to go into an F-15, but after purchasing I have read that it doesn’t perform as well. I will find out for myself sooner or later... I will be able to remove the lead from the nose too

The FMS set up works wonderful! If you have a stock esc you just need to change timing to low and the amp draw is in the 105amp range which is more than good enough for the 130amp stock unit. I have been running this in my F-104 for a couple years now and it transformed the plane! It shifted the CG slightly forward since it is so much lighter than stock and with the lighter weight the take offs and landings are much better. The F-15 and F-16 are great candidates for this fan and will really enhance how they fly! They may be only slightly faster but their efficiency will shoot through the roof and you will be able to get the plane to climb at a reasonable angle while only at half throttle. You could never do that with the stock unit... Batteries will be happier and esc will run better as well.

[gooniac33]

Somewhere along the way I have lost my subscription to this thread so I have re-subscribed...It's been several years since I had this jet. Love the size and scale appeal but never liked how heavy she was and flew stock. I have satisfied my large scale F-16 itch with the HSD 105mm F-16 in recent years, but she too, is a chunky monkey. However, having no idea when or if Freewing will be coming out with a New Gen 90mm F-16, I thought I would revisit this model, especially after seeing Jeff's (of Jeff's Custom RC on YouTube) fabulous job of converting his to the Arctic Camo (video below)...Now I want one again, and paint it up the same!

So before I sink my teeth through 20 pages I was hoping I could get the quick and dirty Upgrade/Mod Cheat Sheet...

I assume I will need to put a new power system in it. Looking for a great solution. Something that can help offset the AUW with the appropriate thrust to weight ratio. Looking forward to any and all information!

Thanks!

See what I wrote above...

[C17loadmaster]

Oh, good to know about keeping the stock 130a an option. I had read previously that I guy fried his after the FMS swap, but in reality you never really know exactly what has been done to peoples planes and parts when they get on here to discuss.

Have you used the FMS in the F-15? I have 4 options for 6s, one being the FMS unit, the FW 9 blade 1750kv, 12b 1650kv outrunner, and it currently has the HET 1680 installed. I might as well sell the 1750... I purchased it the day it released in China, which was quite a while before it was available at motion. It’s never been flown

[DCORSAIR]

Oh, good to know about keeping the stock 130a an option. I had read previously that I guy fried his after the FMS swap, but in reality you never really know exactly what has been done to peoples planes and parts when they get on here to discuss.

Have you used the FMS in the F-15? I have 4 options for 6s, one being the FMS unit, the FW 9 blade 1750kv, 12b 1650kv outrunner, and it currently has the HET 1680 installed. I might as well sell the 1750... I purchased it the day it released in China, which was quite a while before it was available at motion. It’s never been flown

I was told the stock FW 130 ESC will only last a few flights with the FMS system, so be careful if you use the FMS unit, I also tried the FMS 1900 in my F-15, it didn't impress me so I pulled it out and put in a FW 1835kv, now it rocks, I'm changing all my 90mm jets to the FW 1835kv unit, so far the Yak 130, F-15, F-16, and both of my new F-18, love the sound, so smooth with a woosh.

[thisguy65]

I want a 90 F-16 so bad but grass field. Wish Freewing would updated it using the same technology as the A-10/F-22,etc.

[C17loadmaster]

I want a 90 F-16 so bad but grass field. Wish Freewing would updated it using the same technology as the A-10/F-22,etc.

All I fly off of is grass

[thisguy65]

All I fly off of is grass

what's the roll out like? How short?

[C17loadmaster]

With the FMS fan it’s maybe 100 feet on level ground. Shorter than the F-22 when it had the 6s setup

[F106DeltaDart]

Oh, good to know about keeping the stock 130a an option. I had read previously that I guy fried his after the FMS swap, but in reality you never really know exactly what has been done to peoples planes and parts when they get on here to discuss.

Have you used the FMS in the F-15? I have 4 options for 6s, one being the FMS unit, the FW 9 blade 1750kv, 12b 1650kv outrunner, and it currently has the HET 1680 installed. I might as well sell the 1750... I purchased it the day it released in China, which was quite a while before it was available at motion. It’s never been flown

I would be very careful keeping the stock ESC. I flew the F-16 with the FMS fan and stock ESC on low timing and had to make several emergency landings before realizing that I had an ESC problem. It acted normal for a few flights, then starting going into what seemed like an LVC cutoff mode mid flight. Replaced the stock ESC with a YEP 150A and it’s been a great flyer ever since. The FMS setup changed the airplane for me. The lighter weight actually allows you to glide it for a bit without dropping like a brick, and it has better vertical and flight time. It used to be a hangar queen with the older stock system, but it’s become one of my go-to edfs now.

[Hugh Wiedman]

Anybody got a good Home Depot paint match for the stock colors? I'm going to do either the Lone Star or Wild Weasle livery but will need some touch up paint for cerrtain areas after I mask.

[C17loadmaster]

I would be very careful keeping the stock ESC. I flew the F-16 with the FMS fan and stock ESC on low timing and had to make several emergency landings before realizing that I had an ESC problem. It acted normal for a few flights, then starting going into what seemed like an LVC cutoff mode mid flight. Replaced the stock ESC with a YEP 150A and it’s been a great flyer ever since. The FMS setup changed the airplane for me. The lighter weight actually allows you to glide it for a bit without dropping like a brick, and it has better vertical and flight time. It used to be a hangar queen with the older stock system, but it’s become one of my go-to edfs now.

It was your story that I was thinking of regarding the stock ESC.

I already have the same YEP 150a ready to go in the F-15. I figured that it had to be somewhat of an upgrade being as the F-16 and 15 were both heavy and the FMS was just what the F-16 needed. It’s by far the biggest upgrade I’ve done to a plane while staying the same cell count.

[gooniac33]

If anyone is looking for a bulleproof low cost upgrade for their esc let me share what has worked for me. The Red Brick 200amp from Hobby King has been an amazing unit and it costs less than $50!! I first tried one in my F-15 which actually did draw over 180amps on one set up... the unit too it with no issues even in high ambient temps. Never onces shut down due to over heating or anything... It is regularly running 150amps peak in my F-15 now and hasn't skipped a beat. Flew yesterday in 100 degree weather and it was perfect. I have that same unit in my Mig-21 which is kind of overkill but still for the money it never hurt to have the extra headroom. Its pulling less than 100 amps but still nice to have something that works so well. I just installed on in my new 90mm F-22 with my custom Leopard 4092 1730kv set up and freewing rotor and flew that in over 100degree heat yesterday with zero issues... Great units!! Super cheap, easy to program with card and just all around good...

[Aros]

Good stuff, thanks for the tip!