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

[GBLynden]

This is my Maiden Flight Review of the Freewing A-4 Skyhawk 80mm EDF Jet with a CG tip after the flight. Please excuse the crappy landing. That was pilot error and all on me. This plane is awesome!

[GBLynden]

I took mine on a taxi test "walk" before a rainstorm rolled in. Gotta love how this jet looks during "Golden Hour".

[GBLynden]

I just made my own...

That looks awesome! This jet is pretty dang flexible :)

I just got one myself and here is my unboxing and preliminary review.

[RCjetdude]

I wish Motion would put these out in Blue Angels

I just made my own...

[Desertlakeflying]

I wish Motion would put these out in Blue Angels

[StewW]

Very nice. I saw that livery and was wondering how it would turn out. Excellent job.

[apmech1]

I come in too high & fast on landing (I've only had 4 flights), but this jet is pretty forgiving. I pitched mine pretty high just before touchdown to bleed off speed and it "felt" like it wanted to continue pitching up. About 5 inches off the ground i pushed nose down a bit and landed well with very low roll out. That wasn't my intention though;). Even with my not perfect knock on wood, I haven't broken anything. I've fliown a 70mm F-86, FW 90mm F-16 on 6s, I fly the FW F-4 on 6s, and the A-4 on 6s and I have to say this is the best flier followed closely by the F-4. If you are on the fence, go for it you won't be disappointed.

And did I metion that it's fast. I am getting ~116 mph from my telemetry, averaged ground speed from upwind and down wind passes.

[WrightBrosRC]

Thank you!

I assume on landing nose down, level off and just raise the nose a little to keep elevator authority?

Sure, yeah, pretty much! It performs completely predictable in every way and since you are aware not to over flare on landing, you should be golden. I don't notice any performance issues in flight. Good control all around. My CG is a bit more forward and my rates are greatly reduced. At factory settings the A-4 is a drill bit. Chris, The RC Geek has a good set up youtube video that covers it. My flight set up is exactly as he describes his final set up and I really like it. I see you already fly the BAE Hawk, so no worries.

[thisguy65]

I agree with RCJetDude... This aircraft is pretty mellow in my own opinion. I fly several other jets which to compare with and it flies very nicely. There is one thing that I thought would be a problem, but it is very managable..The elevator being high on the tail can become soft in high alpha. It gets blanked out by the body of the aircraft. When I was first learning to fly it I found it easy to stall out when landing because it would kinda get stuck in the high alpha position when flaring out. I aborted a few landings at the start because of this. Havent crashed because of it though. Every high tail jet exhibits it to some degree, the F104 much more so.

Mine is a couple years old now and still in great shape. If you are on the fence about getting it, I would say go for it. I also abuse mine a bit with the photography stuff and she has been a workhorse.

Thank you!

I assume on landing nose down, level off and just raise the nose a little to keep elevator authority?

[WrightBrosRC]

Thanks Steve, I’ve read w/ delta wings to stay in the throttle in the turns. But what are the selling characteristics?

I agree with RCJetDude... This aircraft is pretty mellow in my own opinion. I fly several other jets which to compare with and it flies very nicely. There is one thing that I thought would be a problem, but it is very managable..The elevator being high on the tail can become soft in high alpha. It gets blanked out by the body of the aircraft. When I was first learning to fly it I found it easy to stall out when landing because it would kinda get stuck in the high alpha position when flaring out. I aborted a few landings at the start because of this. Havent crashed because of it though. Every high tail jet exhibits it to some degree, the F104 much more so.

Mine is a couple years old now and still in great shape. If you are on the fence about getting it, I would say go for it. I also abuse mine a bit with the photography stuff and she has been a workhorse.

[thisguy65]

It's one of the smoothest landing planes I own. I flew my A-4 a bunch at Joe Nall and didn't have any issues with it. Love the Scooter!

Thanks Steve, I’ve read w/ delta wings to stay in the throttle in the turns. But what are the selling characteristics?

[RCjetdude]

It's one of the smoothest landing planes I own. I flew my A-4 a bunch at Joe Nall and didn't have any issues with it. Love the Scooter!

[thisguy65]

I've got budget for 2 planes and A4 has been on my short list. Would like to pick up one jet and one prop plane.

Talking with few people I trust, some say how it's tricky to land and can is not as forgiving as others. I've only been flying for a shor twhile but own many jets and do fine with them. Just don't want to get in above my head. Will be flying off grass field.

[WrightBrosRC]

Its kinda overly dramatic, but was great fun to make :) Thanks Alpha, the A-4 is certainly a joy to fly!

[apmech1]

My wife took some photos of mine at a Memorial Day Fun Fly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ots7Z5D0Uik

[scootergenie]

Is that just before you hit the tower ? :)

[Alpha]

That photo.... !!! !!!

[WrightBrosRC]

I flew my A4 today for the first time in a couple months or more. I'll have the video probably tomorrow.

[RichJ53]

I just ordered one. Nice product. Thanks for the post on the quality product

This is a great jet and at a good price point too.

Best of luck to you
Rich

[Pheonix]

I just ordered one. Nice product. Thanks for the post on the quality product