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

[EA-6B Geek]

So I have a few flights on this bird at about 180-185mm CG... what are your guys experiences with tha manuals call out of 190-195? How about with the drop tanks and missiles?

I've flown mine with the CG back at 190mm, but think it's happier with the more forward numbers, 180-185mm. I don't think the drop tanks do much to degrade performance, but they do aid in my ability to maintain orientation, especially on the downwind leg to land, so I always fly with them on. It's my favorite jet.:)

[RC30Flyer]

So I have a few flights on this bird at about 180-185mm CG... what are your guys experiences with tha manuals call out of 190-195? How about with the drop tanks and missiles?

[GBLynden]

Oh yeah, I love my Crew Zinn stand too. I did a review for the stand and it has only proven more and more amazing with time.

[RichJ53]

Looking good and I love the stand! I am not quite in Oregon, but I am from the PNW too :D

Hi GB

Thank you and the PNW counts too. By the way, this new American made stand is just awesome. CrewZinn Flight deck RC work and CG stand by John Zinn. I can use this with most of my 70-90mm jet aircraft and most of my 1600mm warbirds. The CG rods mount to the bottom of the stand which makes them available where ever you are.

Help support John and America made stuff and you will not be disappointed.

Rich

Link below:

https://crewzinn.com/flight-deck-rc-work-cg-stand/

[GBLynden]

Hi Guys,
This winter I built many of my MRC airplanes and the A4 was one of the first projects. So much fun to build and the waterslide decals (lots of them) were easy to work with. Actually I have not applied waterslide decals in a long time. nice plane to build and went together easily.


So today, I did the maiden flight using my Thunder power 5000 6S packs which are about 60 to 90grams heavier than the MRC new Admiral batteries. I put the pack back 1/4" behind the front edge of the plywood that gave me the CG slightly aft of the normal call out.

The plane flew beautifully on low rates with lots of power. very agile and quick to turn. Rolls were fast and predictable. Full flap landings were spot on with high Alpha flares. So much fun and reminds me of my old Byron Originals A4 just slightly smaller scale. Great plane and good job by MRC and Alpha to bring this plane to us with great scale fidelity. One of the club members shot some videos of my flights but I did not get them yet. Hopefully I will post them once I see them for myself :)

I highly recommend this jet to anyone with some EDF flying time
Rich

Looking good and I love the stand! I am not quite in Oregon, but I am from the PNW too :D

[RichJ53]

I have always had a really hard time with this jet.

So, this jet needs an second chance :) Try turning down your rates and adding some more Expo My Aileron low rate is 60% and 30% Expo plus the expo can be turned up even more depending on your flying style.

all the best
Rich

[themudduck]

I have always had a really hard time with this jet.

Try dialing down the control throws a LOT, especially for the ailerons. Plus use expo as well. Its much happier that way IMHO.

(With the original throws, mine was sensitive as hell and rolled so fast it was like a freaking drill bit - and after about 3 or 4 revs it actually induced a snap roll! Or that may have been because I touched the elevator :Cool:)

[RichJ53]

Hello fellow Oregonian! The A-4 is a sweetheart and I love flying it. One of my favs.

Hello and right back at you.
I agree this jet will be one of my favorites..... I flew my L39 first after reading all of the hype and watching the videos. Yes the L39 flies great too, but the A4 is sweet and agile

All the best
Rich

[Topshot19]

I have always had a really hard time with this jet.

[RCjetdude]

Hello fellow Oregonian! The A-4 is a sweetheart and I love flying it. One of my favs.

[RichJ53]

Hi Guys,
This winter I built many of my MRC airplanes and the A4 was one of the first projects. So much fun to build and the waterslide decals (lots of them) were easy to work with. Actually I have not applied waterslide decals in a long time. nice plane to build and went together easily.


So today, I did the maiden flight using my Thunder power 5000 6S packs which are about 60 to 90grams heavier than the MRC new Admiral batteries. I put the pack back 1/4" behind the front edge of the plywood that gave me the CG slightly aft of the normal call out.

The plane flew beautifully on low rates with lots of power. very agile and quick to turn. Rolls were fast and predictable. Full flap landings were spot on with high Alpha flares. So much fun and reminds me of my old Byron Originals A4 just slightly smaller scale. Great plane and good job by MRC and Alpha to bring this plane to us with great scale fidelity. One of the club members shot some videos of my flights but I did not get them yet. Hopefully I will post them once I see them for myself :)

I highly recommend this jet to anyone with some EDF flying time
Rich

[RC30Flyer]

Awesome flight! Which batteries are you guys using in this beautiful jet?

Thanks GB... I'm using the Admiral Carbon 6S 5100mah 70C

[apmech1]

Good stuff! Which packs were you using and what are your settings?

Thanks. Admiral 6s 50c. The short flight was the maiden, 2 circuits and then down. The second flight I flew until my battery capacity warning of 2500mah (50%). I use the e-fuel gauge, It is awesome. My flight time I believe is just under 4 minutes. As I get used to the approaches better, I will probably set the alarm @2750mah.

Cg was where the manual called for 180. All controlls were low rate, 75% of manual full deflection. I was using 50 % expo. . I am going to move ailerons down to 60% throw and decrease all expo to 35%.

[GBLynden]

Did my maiden and second flight. All I have to say is wow. This plane flies so well! Stock 6s setup. It seems to have gobs of power. As everyone else has pointed out the roll rate is crazy. I got video with my soloshot 3. No aerobatics, just bomber patterns so far.

https://youtu.be/nn4I41oFZwo

https://youtu.be/pNFRUr4lYhI

Good stuff! Which packs were you using and what are your settings?

[apmech1]

Did my maiden and second flight. All I have to say is wow. This plane flies so well! Stock 6s setup. It seems to have gobs of power. As everyone else has pointed out the roll rate is crazy. I got video with my soloshot 3. No aerobatics, just bomber patterns so far.

https://youtu.be/nn4I41oFZwo

https://youtu.be/pNFRUr4lYhI

[sheva99999]

I'm going with 6s because I fly off of grass, and want to keep it as light as possible. But if I had access to a paved runway, I would try 8s. There's plenty of room inside to shift battery weight around.

Yes, Our field has a paved runway. So it will go off pavement. Just wasn't sure if the 8's would make it too heavy. Clearly I will get more umph!! but don't want the landings to be impossible to execute.

[scootergenie]

I'm going with 6s because I fly off of grass, and want to keep it as light as possible. But if I had access to a paved runway, I would try 8s. There's plenty of room inside to shift battery weight around.

[sheva99999]

Has anyone tried this jet on 8s??

Wondering if it is not too heavy a wing loading?

[GBLynden]

So, I was advised to change the CG from 180mm to 190mm... man what a difference. She lands a lot slower and more predictable, even tho the landing in the video doesn't show it, it was getting dark and I couldn't see very well on the last landing.

https://youtu.be/52so_VN6Byo

Awesome flight! Which batteries are you guys using in this beautiful jet?

[Topshot19]

I’ll I know is that I had to put 2 weight bars in my nose to get her to cg