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

[CVA59]

I think it looks better without the hump.

I agree completely!

[themudduck]

I think it looks better without the hump.

[CVA59]

Thank you very much for sharing that video and 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).

Thanks.

This particular model is special to me because of my friend; Dave. With this model done in this livery, I will always be able to tell people about Dave and keep his legacy forever alive in my own little way. That's the part that counts for me.

Here's a shot of Dave "back in the day" 1968 in a borrowed A4. His A4 (like the one i replicated) was destroyed in the fire on Forrestal a few months earlier.

[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.

[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.

[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]

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.

[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

[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]

<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.

[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]

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?

[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!

[Elbee]

Copy that.

[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.

[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!

[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

[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

[CVA59]

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

I am hoping it will do good in the A4.

[Evan D]

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