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

[DCORSAIR]

I agree, you don't need the high rates and for sure not the 195mm cg, nose heavy is way better for this jet. I fly mine with a Gensace 5000 45C all the way forward plus I have a little chunk of lead that stays in the nose even when I switch to the Gensace 5000 60C, it tracks like it's on rails now that I have toned all the controls down. I fly mine all loaded too, this is one jet that flies better with the weapons on.

[seaviper]

I made 4 flights today. Two flights with the heavy turnigy. Low rates from start to finish. Smooth.
no need for high rate elevator.

Program high and low rates. Takeoff in low rates. I guarantee you will not want high rates after that. I finally just deleted the switch. Im low rates 100% of the time now.

[seaviper]

I just made another flight clean, low rates with admiral as in this photo. I just snapped this photo on landing.

honestly i think the over rotation issue is due to people flying her on high rates and maybe pulling a little much on takeoff.

my bird is flying perfectly on low rates with this battery position.

hope this helps

[e4dragongunner]

This is my second one lost one due to elevator servo failure, Total bucking bronco!
Really looking forward to the maiden!

Tomorrow hopefully!

I do remember High RATE elevator on landing! :-)!!

Thanks again

[seaviper]

I just now flew my bird in wind with the Turnigy battery as in the photo. Low rates entire flight.
perfect liftoff, plenty of elevator to land.

you will do fine. Dont worry too much about it.

[e4dragongunner]

All I can tell you is what I do. Others can chime in if need be. But I would not let the CG fall back behind 195 in any flight condition.
That being said, I agree with Yoda in his review video. It's quite CG numb in my opinion. But don't get it back too far.

Did you check it on the CG machine. Drop the gear and see what happens with your current setup?

With you advice.... Hangs level with gear deployed.
Bring the gear up and the nose drops a bit!
At 193mm

[e4dragongunner]

OK! Much better!

[seaviper]

All I can tell you is what I do. Others can chime in if need be. But I would not let the CG fall back behind 195 in any flight condition.
That being said, I agree with Yoda in his review video. It's quite CG numb in my opinion. But don't get it back too far.

Did you check it on the CG machine. Drop the gear and see what happens with your current setup?

[e4dragongunner]

1000 Thank you's!!! So the Addendum is WRONG.....
It calls for 195 wheels up.....


So 190 - 195 Wheels down!
180 - 185 Wheels up!

:Cool:

[seaviper]

[seaviper]

Just my opinion:

I do not recommend flying this bird at that CG with wheels up. You will be in trouble immediately. That 193 or 195 you set should be with wheels down and that Admiral needs to be all the way forward.

The reason being that when the wheels come down your CG will move about 10mm AFT of that point. Not good. And you will see this right on takeoff. At your current setting you will takeoff at a CG around 205. Way to far back.
To test this, drop the gear while the bird is on the cg machine with your current setup.

If setting CG with wheels up you need to be like 180-185. You can go even more nose heavy but I do not think this is necessary. And don't haul back too much on the elevator on takeoff. And she likes low rates.

Good luck on the maiden! I am sure you will do fine.

In the photos below you can see where I run my batteries. The heavy Turnigy brick is about even with the screws on the tray. The Admiral is all the way up against the circuit board.
EDIT: your battery may be a little aft of mine due to your nose gear mod. But not much.

[e4dragongunner]

Guys HELP :-) I need a hand.

Freaking out a bit as my current the set up isn't matching my last A4 "CG wise". Its been a while and can't remember the specifics of the last set up. Everything I am reading is.....
Admiral 5000 as far forward as possible.
Move battery strap forward,
move the non stick rubber matt all the way forward..
and CG per the addendum.

Measuring from Here( Pic with Red screw driver) Wheels up. So here is my set up on the EX balancer. 193 mm from new point in instructions. Check out how far back my Battery is.... Is this FUBAR??? or am I losing my mind and I am Good to go?

Many thanks guys!

[e4dragongunner]

AHHHH another Jeti man! Love it !!!
Just purchased my DS16 and the A-4 will be the 1st ship on this new set. Absolutely love the flexibility and command this radio has.

[TPS]

A-4 with Callie graphics. I fly it at about 182mm CG (keeps it from pitching up during rotation) 1/2 flaps for takeoff and full flaps for landing. I use a Eagle Super II gyro for stability and it flies like if were on rails. Great plane and a keeper. Thank you MotionRC - RC flying just keeps getting better!

[Hardway]

Anyway, thank you all for your support. I am looking forward to finishing it. It was taxi tested and then pulled down for paint. Should have left it ready to fly since the F-4 Phantom II is here Monday! And a PBY too..... :Silly:

[Hardway]

Looks great Hardway!

Your bird is WAY BETTER for seeing it in the air!! Very nice paint job. Gloss and clean is hard to pull off!!!! I just love this "Royal" look, but it will take a lot of attention to fly! I may do orange wingtips for my own sanity. LOL. Have the decals already from Callie. I also compiled some nomenclature that looks appropriate, but on this camo, the black lettering will be mostly invisible...

[Hardway]

That's looking good! Texas weather, wait 5 minutes it'll change:)

So very true!!! Now it is too dark to paint, but no wind!!! I can fly the timber umx with lights, maybe!!! :)

[seaviper]

Looks great Hardway!

[EA-6B Geek]

Pics may help here!!! LOL

That's looking good! Texas weather, wait 5 minutes it'll change:)

[handyman220]

Pics may help here!!! LOL

Oh yeah I like where this is going already. Keep the pics coming.