Official Freewing 80mm EDF F-86 Sabre Thread

[C17loadmaster]

Here is a quick video showing the FMS 2100kv “Pro” Version. I had the same motor/fan combo with the different spinner (black instead of silver) but I ended up “needing” the latest model. Even though it may just be the spinner haha. I have the one I just removed with the 100a ESC, specific to the F-86, if anyone wants to go FMS. I think it has about 4 flights on it total

Sorry about my wife yelling in the video... at least she records for me though

jim

[Oxotnik]

Me-262, too. Or at least it’s very close to tail sitting.

[timmybeetle]

Hi

OK I understand CG location...well if CG is at almost same place as main LG, than this will work. Thanks for info. Grts Hans

[Mark 2]

I understand it also works well for the Avios Mig17

[F106DeltaDart]

Hey everyone,

I can rotate the plane so that the tail sits down, and it stays. If I touch the nose very lightly, it will rotate back onto the nose wheel. This is the desired balance, correct? It's ready to fly?

Interesting to read this, so my question regarding this balance method ??? is it also usable for other EDF's......!

thanks for answers

grts Hans

Not exactly. It is very dependent on how the landing gear are positioned with respect to the CG on an individual airframe. For the F-86, it is spot-on though!

[timmybeetle]

Hey everyone,

I can rotate the plane so that the tail sits down, and it stays. If I touch the nose very lightly, it will rotate back onto the nose wheel. This is the desired balance, correct? It's ready to fly?

Interesting to read this, so my question regarding this balance method ??? is it also usable for other EDF's......!

thanks for answers

grts Hans

[Oxotnik]

I balanced my sons F-86 using this method and it makes it a totally different airplane to fly. Basically if you push the tail down it should stay down, raise the tail up 1" and it should fall on the nose wheel. Using an Admiral 6s 5000mah battery it's basically all the way back against the foam bulkhead.

Have fun!

During my flight this past Saturday, I was using a heavier battery, and I wasn't able to get the tail to stay down. Almost, but not quite. There was no headwind for take off and I was on a grass field. I was beginning to get worried that I wouldn't be able to rotate, when she finally rotated and eased into the air. You definitely don't want to be too nose heavy, if flying off of grass, on a calm day.

[Kmot]

Thanks fella's!

[John Bergsmith]

Hey everyone,

My F-86 is all together and I just tested the "tail sit" balance that I have read about. I am using a 4000 60C battery and it is placed up against the plywood plate securing the ESC.

I can rotate the plane so that the tail sits down, and it stays. If I touch the nose very lightly, it will rotate back onto the nose wheel. This is the desired balance, correct? It's ready to fly?

I balanced my sons F-86 using this method and it makes it a totally different airplane to fly. Basically if you push the tail down it should stay down, raise the tail up 1" and it should fall on the nose wheel. Using an Admiral 6s 5000mah battery it's basically all the way back against the foam bulkhead.

Have fun!

[Race 22 Crew]

Sounds right according to the different post. You can always make it a little more nose heavy for the first couple flights and move it back later. Tail heavy planes many times don’t survive that first flight. Good luck, they fly great. Check your main gear and make sure they are firmly glued in.

[Kmot]

Hey everyone,

My F-86 is all together and I just tested the "tail sit" balance that I have read about. I am using a 4000 60C battery and it is placed up against the plywood plate securing the ESC.

I can rotate the plane so that the tail sits down, and it stays. If I touch the nose very lightly, it will rotate back onto the nose wheel. This is the desired balance, correct? It's ready to fly?

[Captain Moron]

Yes ,the Freewing Hawk is also up there with the F 86 and Venom .Mmmm so is the F16, F 35 the Me 262 and now the Albatross L 39 .In fact any Freewing EDF

[Mark 2]

I would like some opinions about how this F-86 flies compared to a few of the newer FW Jets. I had a F-86 when it first came out. It was my first EDF and I had issues with landing and went through a few nose LG and many repairs to the front end until one day I crashed. I've kept all the parts, less the foam. I went back to propeller planes for a few years. I now have an Avanti S and a F-18.

Would I still enjoy the FW F-86 or should I put my $$ into a later model EDF?

Thanks

SJ

I love the looks and sound of the F86 but I find my BAe Hawk has become my go to jet now, it takes the same batteries that I use in the Sabre but just seems to have better performance and slightly longer flight times, and the Red Arrows paint scheme is easier to see against the grey cloudy skies we usually get here.

[Captain Moron]

The F 86 is my favourite Freewing EDF .Easy to fly take offs and landings are a doddle .In my opionion this one of the easiest jets to fly along with the 90mm Venom and looks just great in the air

[Sheriffjohn]

I would like some opinions about how this F-86 flies compared to a few of the newer FW Jets. I had a F-86 when it first came out. It was my first EDF and I had issues with landing and went through a few nose LG and many repairs to the front end until one day I crashed. I've kept all the parts, less the foam. I went back to propeller planes for a few years. I now have an Avanti S and a F-18.

Would I still enjoy the FW F-86 or should I put my $$ into a later model EDF?

Thanks

SJ

[Kmot]

Job done. The hot knife worked extremely well. I followed up with a little bit of half round file and then a roll of tape that matched the arc and had 120 grit sand paper. I also used the hot knife to cut the duct lip deeper as it also was molded much to high. I finished with some gray water based paint to seal the open foam and then just spread it around a bit. I also put some silver duct tape over those break-through holes.The wing is now attached to the fuselage. Not without some issues though. The construction book calls for two 3x10mm screws in the rear and two 3x20 screws in the front of the wing to secure it to the fuselage. The factory only included four 3x10 screws. I tried them in the front holes and they would not bite into anything. I looked for some other sheetmetal screws and found some Great Planes #4 x 1" sheetmetal screws that used a 1.5mm hex driver. Big mistake, that almost ruined my day. I was dubious about the small hex driver for such a large screw, but tried them anyway. Yep, one of them started to strip and round out half way in. Oh bummer. I took my 1.5mm driver and ground the tip to make it good and flat and was able to back out the offending screw. Then I did what I should have done in the first place. I tapped the front holes for 3mm machine screws and used those instead. Now to check the gear mounts...

[Kmot]

C17loadmaster: Thank you! I appreciate the insight and information. Hot knife arrived this morning, so I am getting ready to attack it.

[C17loadmaster]

I’ve had those holes on almost every F-86 wing I’ve owned. Which is around 3 sets... they are only an eyesore when looking in the wheel well with the gear extended. They are on the outside of the thrust tube and pinched between the wing and fuselage with nowhere to go. I just put a piece of silver tape on each side to forget about it.
The carve away is easy if you cut aft to front. Just don’t mess up where the inlet flange fits into the pre-cut slot. Even so, that’s an easy fix. That area is just going to rest up against the EDF so it doesn’t need to look perfect. I actually use a footlong rounded file with teeth, not flat grooves. And remove foam until the fan housing is perfect. (I have a spare housing I set in the mold) My jet has the FMS 2100kv EDF unit, so I have shaved foam on this plane and multiple others.

I know it’s not perfect... but every plane has some quirks. This plane is always wing issues... mainly the retract glue between the mount and the wing. If I were you I would take care of that too while you’re at it. I at least one on each set has broken free fairly early.

If you ruin the wing I’ll give you a new one.

Other than that the plane is awesome. It’s a piece of cake to fly. Also, my landing flaps are set at about an 80 degree angle haha Its at around jogging speed on touchdown

[Kmot]

Sorry to see that. No manufacturer is perfect, but its the support that counts. Did you buy from us at Motion RC? If so please contact our customer service team and we will definitely rectify this for you. Obviously don't fly it or it could void any warranty. But even if you didn't buy from us, a real Freewing dealer should be pretty reputable and help you out if not.

Yes, I purchased it from Motion RC. In July. Order #418589. It sat NIB until this week when I finally was able to get to it and started assembly. I did contact Motion RC customer service about it the other day. I was told the warranty is 30 days, and that I should have inspected the plane sooner. I was told to go ahead and fill out a support ticket and maybe Freewing might help. Then I learned that the holes in the wing would be inside the fuselage so I told them to cancel the ticket because it would not show and be a cosmetic issue. Then later I thought about the FOD it might create, sheesh. It also had a bad y-harness for the rudder. The rudder would not work when connected up to the long lead through the rear of the fuselage. I traced it to the y-harness and found it was dead.

I am going to apply some tape over those areas with the holes in them so that no FOD gets loose inside there. I am going to trim the saddle area with the hot knife. Hopefully these will be the only issues and that ultimately it will be a good airplane.

[Skyboom]

You may not need the electric foam knife after all. I bought the foam hot wire cutter and used it once in 2 years. Just don't breathe in the smoke when your cutting. It's highly toxic. I'd do it outside with good ventilation.