Official Freewing 80mm A-4E/F Skyhawk Thread

[Elbee]

Hey guys. I picked up one of these that was crashed. I have now fixed the plane. However, the P/O kept the original fan/motor and ESC. I picked up a new 12 blade fan/motor and ESC that came off an Freewing F-86. Everything fits into the A4 perfectly except the EC5 battery lead wires are about 10" or so too short. I am thinking of making an extension but want to know if there would be any cons to doing it this way? Ideas? Thoughts?

Thanks

CVA59, the way I understand it, you should lengthen the 'motor' leads rather than the ESC leads and add some suppression in the form of ceramic rings It becomes an issue of 'electrical' interference the way I read it. Again, this is what I have read, not something I have had to deal with in the actual. Best, LB

[CVA59]

CVA59, the way I understand it, you should lengthen the 'motor' leads rather than the ESC leads and add some suppression in the form of ceramic rings It becomes an issue of 'electrical' interference the way I read it. Again, this is what I have read, not something I have had to deal with in the actual. Best, LB

I need to lengthen the EC5 connector wires, ESC wires (red/black). My initial thoughts were to simply make an extension. Would this work?

[Evan D]

Yeah don't worry about it. You are not adding excessive length. But be aware that the F-86 was one of FW first EDFs and the motor/ fan in that made quite a bit less than the stock A-4 unit. The F-86 unit in mine made 1624W and the A-4 made 2124W, over 30% more.

I need to lengthen the EC5 connector wires, ESC wires (red/black). My initial thoughts were to simply make an extension. Would this work?

[CVA59]

Yeah don't worry about it. You are not adding excessive length. But be aware that the F-86 was one of FW first EDFs and the motor/ fan in that made quite a bit less than the stock A-4 unit. The F-86 unit in mine made 1624W and the A-4 made 2124W, over 30% more.

Do you think the F-86 setup will be enough for the A4? It has the In-runner motor with a 12 blade fan.

[Evan D]

Ah, the newer inrunner... I think that should be a good set up.

[CVA59]

Ah, the newer inrunner... I think that should be a good set up.

I am hoping it will do good in the A4.

[RichJ53]

I am hoping it will do good in the A4.

The stock motor is good.... and cant say from experience if the F86 would be the same or not.... but I think you might want to consider the new 80mm fan linked below.

https://www.motionrc.com/collections...inrunner-motor
It would be awesome

Rich

[Icarus the 2nd]

It2, I like it and I think it is good we never grow up completely. Well done, Sir. Best, LB

Thanks Elbee! I really love the sinister look now.

If you don't know the Buck Danny pilot comics series I can highly recommend them, don't know if they're available outside Europe.

And btw, drop the sir thing please, I'm only half way my time at earth so I'm not ready yet to be called sir haha

[Elbee]

Copy that.

[Icarus the 2nd]

About the motor:

The former stock motor in the Skyhawk is a 1800kv outrunner with a 12b fan in a metal housing if I'm not wrong. Had that motor in my Mig-21.
I recently installed an FMS 2100kv inrunner with a 12b fan in a plastic housing (pro version) and the acceleration on the ground was A LOT better, faster in the air as well of course.

I have the Freewing 1857kv inrunner with a 12b fan in a metal housing in my L-39 and love it also! Can do 8,5minutes flights on a 6000mAh lipo if I'm just cruising around.https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/member.php?u=559880

On my blog on rcgroups I have an article with some static ground tests and comparisons I did between the FMS & Freewing setups, if you're interested you can find it here: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/member.php?u=559880

Bottom line of the story: you can't go wrong with the FMS or FW inrunners!

[CVA59]

Rich / Icarus...............Thank you for the great info! Yes, I will more than likely upgrade at some point. However, at the moment, my biggest objective is to determine if this F-86 setup will fly the A4 sufficiently based solely on the data. This F-86 setup I have is an In-runner with a 12 blade fan. I'm hoping to get some use out of it while learning the flying characteristics of the A4 before putting too much speed into it. Once I get a good handle on flying the A4, I will more than likely jump up to something more powerful. I will be using 6S, 4500's & 5000 packs with this setup.

[Evan D]

My A-4 came with a 1850kV motor. I realize different markets got different options but if you got it from Motion it had a 1850 in it. The older Mig had a 1800kV in it. The first L-39s had the A-4's 1850 but later camo ones got the 1857kV.

The newest 80mm system is a 9b with a 1920kV and is what comes in the T-33. I like this set up. The A-4's 1850 is my favorite 12b set up.

About the motor:

The former stock motor in the Skyhawk is a 1800kv outrunner with a 12b fan in a metal housing if I'm not wrong. Had that motor in my Mig-21.
I recently installed an FMS 2100kv inrunner with a 12b fan in a plastic housing (pro version) and the acceleration on the ground was A LOT better, faster in the air as well of course.

I have the Freewing 1857kv inrunner with a 12b fan in a metal housing in my L-39 and love it also! Can do 8,5minutes flights on a 6000mAh lipo if I'm just cruising around.https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/member.php?u=559880

On my blog on rcgroups I have an article with some static ground tests and comparisons I did between the FMS & Freewing setups, if you're interested you can find it here: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/member.php?u=559880

Bottom line of the story: you can't go wrong with the FMS or FW inrunners!

[CVA59]

What are you guys using for CONSERVATIVE control throws on the ailerons, and elevator?

Can you guys also show me where the nose gear retract servo lead plugs into the control panel board?

[themudduck]

What are you guys using for CONSERVATIVE control throws on the ailerons, and elevator?

Can you guys also show me where the nose gear retract servo lead plugs into the control panel board?

<sigh> - I had to haul my plane out of the storage rack, but here you go! This is a pic taken looking inside the nose compartment with the nose pointing to the left.
You'll see the nose gear retract wire Is plugged into the board at the top right position of this picture. Look very closely and see that the little diagram printed on the box is marked "gear" for that position.

The white wires on the top and bottom are the cables from the wings.

I found the throws were way too sensitive for my liking, so I reduced it. On my radio, I've reduced the control throw to 54% on aileron and 67% on elevator.
I am also using 45% expo on aileron and 38% on elevator. This is what I did, but its really a matter of your preference and flying style. I like flying smoothly and scale-like, at least I try to do that. This model will roll like a g-d drill bit - it rolls so fast that you can actually induce a stall at high speed. (Mine starts to snap-roll after about 2 high-speed rolls) Where I have it set now, it rolls very quickly but nicely and the expo allows me to be smooth. So that's just me, you'll need to find what works best for you.

[CVA59]

<sigh> - I had to haul my plane out of the storage rack, but here you go! This is a pic taken looking inside the nose compartment with the nose pointing to the left.
You'll see the nose gear retract wire Is plugged into the board at the top right position of this picture. Look very closely and see that the little diagram printed on the box is marked "gear" for that position.

The white wires on the top and bottom are the cables from the wings.

I found the throws were way too sensitive for my liking, so I reduced it. On my radio, I've reduced the control throw to 54% on aileron and 67% on elevator.
I am also using 45% expo on aileron and 38% on elevator. This is what I did, but its really a matter of your preference and flying style. I like flying smoothly and scale-like, at least I try to do that. This model will roll like a g-d drill bit - it rolls so fast that you can actually induce a stall at high speed. (Mine starts to snap-roll after about 2 high-speed rolls) Where I have it set now, it rolls very quickly but nicely and the expo allows me to be smooth. So that's just me, you'll need to find what works best for you.

Got it, works perfectly now, thanks

I will also use your settings to start with. I am a scale flyer as well.

[Race 22 Crew]

I recommend watching a YouTube video by the RC GEEK. Freewing A4 flight review. Great setup starting point. I haven’t changed anything from my initial flight following his setup.

[CVA59]

I recommend watching a YouTube video by the RC GEEK. Freewing A4 flight review. Great setup starting point. I haven’t changed anything from my initial flight following his setup.

I recently did and yes, he has a really good video on setting up the A4, thanks

[CVA59]

Well, after several weeks of repairs, paint and Callie graphics, here she is ready to fly again. Still have to get the CG correct and setup the control throws but otherwise she's all set. I did her up in the VA-46 "Clansmen" squadron that was aboard the USS Forrestal on July 29th 1967 when it caught fire. One of the pilots who was strapped in awaiting launch while sitting tip to tip to John McCain that day is my friend, Dave Dollarhide. I have used Dave's photos and such to replicate the plane he was flying that day. Dave was very impressed that I chose to replicate his A4 for my R/C version. Dave has an incredible story for those who have an interest. I have attached the PDF of Dave's story to this post as well. There is also a video of Dave's last flight in the A4.

[Evan D]

My squadron, VA-66, was on the America at the same time as the VA-86 A-4 in that video. Thanks!

[CVA59]

My squadron, VA-66, was on the America at the same time as the VA-86 A-4 in that video. Thanks!

NICE!!! I love these "Scooters". They are really neat planes.

[themudduck]

Well, after several weeks of repairs, paint and Callie graphics, here she is ready to fly again. Still have to get the CG correct and setup the control throws but otherwise she's all set. I did her up in the VA-46 "Clansmen" squadron that was aboard the USS Forrestal on July 29th 1967 when it caught fire. One of the pilots who was strapped in awaiting launch while sitting tip to tip to John McCain that day is my friend, Dave Dollarhide. I have used Dave's photos and such to replicate the plane he was flying that day. Dave was very impressed that I chose to replicate his A4 for my R/C version. Dave has an incredible story for those who have an interest. I have attached the PDF of Dave's story to this post as well. There is also a video of Dave's last flight in the A4.

Thank you very much for sharing that video and Dave's story, I really enjoyed watching. Such a cool little jet and it must be a total blast to fly the real scooter - and I love flying the model! (you did a really nice job on your model as well). Please thank Dave for his service and for standing up for the truth about what happened on the Forrestal.