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

[rifleman_btx]

I believe what we just seen there is the new hotness!
very cool setup

[Aros]

Looks good! Love the setup. And landing looked good to me. :)

[themudduck]

OK I am posting this here, because its an aerial video shot from my Skyhawk. I mentioned this new 3D-printed camera box on another thread and I thought I'd post the test video that I took.

I hate sticking the camera on the plane with velcro, ruining the paint etc.

So I had this idea for a camera mount.
A buddy of mine designed a box that a Mobius camera fits into, and the box fits onto any "female" weapons station. Pictured here!

I wouldn't say this design is "ready for prime time" yet, but I think it works pretty well. I had the camera box on the outboard station, with nothing on the opposite wing. The aileron trim was off a bit but I don't know if it was because of this, so I want to do some more testing.

Anyway the video is pretty cool. This is from last Sunday evening. I took off into the sun, so the color is washed out facing west. But I got some great views of the countryside going the other way.
I was happy there wasn't much vibration.
I would recommend turning the sound down, because the slipstream is really loud!
4 minute flight, using a Admiral 5000mah 6S.
I am not proud of the "Carrier Landing" - I used flaps but failed to flare, my bad - but I didn't break anything. Its a tough little bird.

LINK TO YOUTUBE VIDEO - A4 SKYHAWK

[RCjetdude]

Steve,

Bringing your A-4 & F4 to Jet Jam ? I'm 98% sure I'm going.

Can't make both JJ and NEFI. Already committed to NEFI so not this year for JJ. I want to go next year though.

[Grossman56]

Now, if someone brings a Blue Angels F-4 to Nefi, we could get a few pictures of a Bearcat, a Skyhawk and a Phantom all in BA colors,:Cool::Cool: too cool!!
Someone was doing a Phantom, Right:Confused:.

Grossman56

[dahawk]

Steve,

Bringing your A-4 & F4 to Jet Jam ? I'm 98% sure I'm going.

[rifleman_btx]

That is nice

[RCjetdude]

Such a beautiful bird. I loved the Blue Angel A-4's.

[Hardway]

Resprayed today with the "new" paint that contrasts a little more. Started the bottom color on the drop tanks... It is coming along.... If anyone has a set of drop tanks they are not using, please let me know and I will gladly pay you for them!! I want to use them on the HSD A1-H Skyraider. I will Pay Pal you whatever you think is fair for the set!! Thanks in advance!!! Jerry

[Hardway]

Congrats on the maiden.... Sorry it got rained out!!!

[RCjetdude]

Got to maiden the Blue Angel's #6 at Joe Nall. It flew very well and looked great in the air. Sorry, no pictures. Things were a bit crazy when I flew it. Lots of air traffic.

[Hardway]

The wings are still drying...They have "new" paint. Had to switch paints since the original choice of latex did not like the airbrush at all.... Went back to Behr from Home Depot and it works like a dream.... Changed the colors slightly to give more contrast. I like it so far!!! :Drinks::Cool: The port wing still needs more dark green, but it is coming along....

[Hardway]

Been a while since I posted any progress on the RNZAF A-4.... Long story, but she is making progress again!! Pics to follow... :)

[Grossman56]

Welcome to HobbySquawk Tony and many thanks to your dad for his service and for playing such and instrumental roles in these beautiful jets. I also used a heat gun to gently heat the tube to bend it. Like Dave said, just a little at a time. I love the A-4 Blues.

Awfully pretty Steve!! Now that I'm going to Nefi, can't wait to see them in person!!

Grossman56

[Ron1950]

thanks Steve good luck on the maiden I know u have a ton of work in yours

[RCjetdude]

I keep reading about guys moveing the battery way back past 195mm cg and how great it flys but what the average joe using for cg? 180 to 185mm or what? I am joe average jet flyer not mr expert so just trying to figure it all out...the a4 looks too good to crash on maiden for sure...also what throws are being used for airalons etc..someday ill learn to spell also...

Steve have you flown ol number 6 yet?

Tony I used to work at whiteing field in aimd electronics shop was always at NARF picking up arc 27's or arn 14's etc 69 to 73 may have crossed paths with your dad...

Ron, still have not had a chance to maiden the Blue #6. Hopefully I will get to at Nall.

Dave, I wish you could get to Nall as well. Maybe I can make it to Grapevine this year. Would love to meet you.

The trick to the aft CG from what I have read is to reduce the elevator throw considerably as well. Somewhere around 1/2" up and down. I think mine is around the 180-185 mark.

[dahawk]

I think it's a very docile plane. Like the full size jet, you can get "behind the power curve" making a tight turn to final. If you keep the angle of attack relatively flat during approaches, there no tendency to stall whatsoever. Setting the CG on the forward side of what's recommended seems to be the happiest setup. Most challenging for me is keeping it on all three wheels during a crosswind landing rollout. I've got some scuffed up drop tanks! Great plane!

RC Junkey,

From my experience, The FW A-4 can and will stall in the same manner. If you're up high enough go into spin recovery mode by bringing throttle to idle, down elevator and hard right rudder.

Keep the speed up in the turns. She also likes a nice stabilized approach . I would not deploy full flaps in a base to final turn. Ha ! She can bite you. With an Admiral 5000, I have it positioned forward to the shelf.

Steve, I love the Blues rendition ! A work of art. That one and your F4J would make any Navy guy proud ! Wish I could get to Nall.

[Ron1950]

I keep reading about guys moveing the battery way back past 195mm cg and how great it flys but what the average joe using for cg? 180 to 185mm or what? I am joe average jet flyer not mr expert so just trying to figure it all out...the a4 looks too good to crash on maiden for sure...also what throws are being used for airalons etc..someday ill learn to spell also...

Steve have you flown ol number 6 yet?

Tony I used to work at whiteing field in aimd electronics shop was always at NARF picking up arc 27's or arn 14's etc 69 to 73 may have crossed paths with your dad...

[RCjetdude]

Welcome to HobbySquawk Tony and many thanks to your dad for his service and for playing such and instrumental roles in these beautiful jets. I also used a heat gun to gently heat the tube to bend it. Like Dave said, just a little at a time. I love the A-4 Blues.

[dahawk]

I did the heat method for bending the plastic rod but extreme care must be taken not to apply too much heat. A little bit at a time.