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

[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]

I think it looks better without the hump.

[CVA59]

I think it looks better without the hump.

I agree completely!

[themudduck]

NICE!!! I love these "Scooters". They are really neat planes.

Hey, something I noticed when I watched Dave's airshow video, besides watching the LE slats work (too bad our model doesn't have those) - did you notice how little the aileron moves? Even when he does a fast bank, it moves just a bit. So that just reinforces what I found on my model, that the Scooter is really sensitive to ailerons. With them dialed back (like I described earlier) it still rolls very quickly when I apply the stick but the expo really helps me fly smoothly because it moves less around center. The elevator seems pretty normal to me as far as how they feel.

I'm still getting used to perfecting my landings. I've dialed back the steering throw and added a bunch of rudder expo as well. Its pretty easy to turn the model up on a wing and scrape it, so I try be very gentle with the rudder on landing and not fly when there is a crosswind!

[CVA59]

Hey, something I noticed when I watched Dave's airshow video, besides watching the LE slats work (too bad our model doesn't have those) - did you notice how little the aileron moves? Even when he does a fast bank, it moves just a bit. So that just reinforces what I found on my model, that the Scooter is really sensitive to ailerons. With them dialed back (like I described earlier) it still rolls very quickly when I apply the stick but the expo really helps me fly smoothly because it moves less around center. The elevator seems pretty normal to me as far as how they feel.

I'm still getting used to perfecting my landings. I've dialed back the steering throw and added a bunch of rudder expo as well. Its pretty easy to turn the model up on a wing and scrape it, so I try be very gentle with the rudder on landing and not fly when there is a crosswind!

Yes, I did notice that as well. I assume because of the delta wing and small wingspan is why these things turn like a drill bit. Dave told me over the phone the other night the real A4 has the capability to do a 700 degree per second roll rate. However, he said doing that would damage the structure so it was never done.

I still have to setup control rates. Right now, I am pretty much 30% expo across the board.

[Brinka]

VT-7 A4 repaint job done, thank you Callie, and shout out to Alpha and Motion for putting out such a cool jet!

[CVA59]

VT-7 A4 repaint job done, thank you Callie, and shout out to Alpha and Motion for putting out such a cool jet!

NICE!!!! That looks good.

[GBLynden]

This video review is the Freewing A-4 Skyhawk Maiden Flight Review With GoPro Hero 7 Black Footage from my head! As soon as the weather clears more, I will be flying this a lot!

[CVA59]

This video review is the Freewing A-4 Skyhawk Maiden Flight Review With GoPro Hero 7 Black Footage from my head! As soon as the weather clears more, I will be flying this a lot!

I can’t wait to fly mine. Looks really fast. Thanks for sharing the video.

[GBLynden]

Thanks! It is a very nice flyer and far from slow. Part of why I wanted to post this is because my other maiden video is zoomed in and out, which makes it look slower than it actually is lol

[Hardway]

Getting ready for a few flights after the weather clears a bit...

[e4dragongunner]

Love it Hard Way

[GBLynden]

Getting ready for a few flights after the weather clears a bit...

That looks great!

[Hardway]

Thank you E4 and GB!! Jerry

[Alpha]

Brinka and Hardway , those are both excellent refinishes! Funny enough, both of those schemes were in the running a few years ago for the final production scheme. It's so nice to models finally wearing these schemes.

[Beetlemankurt]

Nice Hardway! Funnily enough I was standing next the full size version of an ex NZ Air Force Skyhawk here in NZ a few weeks back. It’s at a small museum not too far from my home. I do remember when they had the same decals yours has on them, most seem to have been removed from this example over the years. Yours looks great!

[Brinka]

Brinka and Hardway , those are both excellent refinishes! Funny enough, both of those schemes were in the running a few years ago for the final production scheme. It's so nice to models finally wearing these schemes.

Oh wow! Thank you, I had no clue the A4 was used as a trainer until some research, visibility made the choice easy. Love it, hopefully Callie adds this to the A4 list. I know a few pilots that wanna do the same.

[Hardway]

Thanks Beetleman!!! Glad you are doing OK!!! Thanks Alpha! Great little jet for sure!!! Take care my brothers!

[Corsair nut]

That ausie a4 looks amazing!

[Hardway]

Thank you Bro!!! Very appreciated! Love your work too!!! Jerry