Official Freewing F/A-18C Hornet 90mm EDF Thread

[Evan D]

F-22 and add thrust vectoring...

[Airguardian]

Hi guys, have 100+ flights on a carbon cub s+ and looking to upgrade to an edf. I know this one is probably more than most would suggest for a first jet but I’m pretty confident I could fly it fine. A couple questions.... I’m considering this one and the freewing f-22. Only reason I’m favoring this one is because of the lights and I like flying at dusk. Any thoughts on which is better ? Also I’ve never been the one responsible for transmitter and receiver setup , always had rtf’s . What exactly would you suggest To complete this package correctly but still on a budget . Thanks.

I think the 22 would be a better candidate for a first EDF. The 18 is unforgiving.

As for dusk flying, really BAD idea unless you dim the nav-lights, install wingtip lights and deactivate the landing light entirely (or dim it a hell lot).
I'm quite a dusk flyer myself, and I have serious problems flying this jet at that time, most particularly landing and have crashed it several times or have been close to because of this very issue, so not the best jet to force after sunset, take my word for it ;)

Get a Raptor, Avanti or Su-35 and you'll be much better off for a first jet.
Even a Gripen will be a better first platform.

Get the Hornet as a second model. My 2 cents!

[Mizer67]

Hi guys, have 100+ flights on a carbon cub s+ and looking to upgrade to an edf. I know this one is probably more than most would suggest for a first jet but I’m pretty confident I could fly it fine. A couple questions.... I’m considering this one and the freewing f-22. Only reason I’m favoring this one is because of the lights and I like flying at dusk. Any thoughts on which is better ? Also I’ve never been the one responsible for transmitter and receiver setup , always had rtf’s . What exactly would you suggest To complete this package correctly but still on a budget . Thanks.

I wouldn't suggest starting with something so expensive if you're on a budget and a Carbon Cub is your only experience, but of these two definitely the F-22, it's much more forgiving and closest to a big EDF trainer than most.

I won't delve into radios, but whatever you get, get at least 8 channels for current and future proofing your purchase a bit.

[Airguardian]

with the cockpit design he uploaded to the MRC webpage. That added 150 g extra weight to the nose along with the full body pilot. It's his fault entirely!

Hahahaha!
I go the opposite route and remove pilots instead, lol.
But that 3D cockpit looks awesome. I'll likely make one for my FPV build whenever I get there!

BTW, what batteries are you using. I've tried the RT 5500 70C (794 g) and the HRB 6000 50-100C (slightly heavier at 826 g) and both perform well and result in at least 4 minutes flight time. I'm always in search of "better" batteries, and have found that the inrunners do much better on a higher C battery, but of course they also are heavier. And the search goes on.

I mostly use the heavy '75C' (55C really, according to MCSGuy) 5Ah Panthers. 870-876g.
They are heavy but perform fantastically. From my six 5Ah packs only two are now starting to show a weak cell at almost 100 cycles of pretty hardcore abuse on my end.
But you pay for it in weight which may not be the smartest of strategies.

If I lived in the States, right now I'd be ordering SMC and Liperior batteries to test out. Those seem to be solid contenders and not as heavy.
Can't source those here in the EU though :'(

I really don't have much faith in any of the 'high tier' Li-Po contenders around here.

[Big Dave]

Hi guys, have 100+ flights on a carbon cub s+ and looking to upgrade to an edf. I know this one is probably more than most would suggest for a first jet but I’m pretty confident I could fly it fine. A couple questions.... I’m considering this one and the freewing f-22. Only reason I’m favoring this one is because of the lights and I like flying at dusk. Any thoughts on which is better ? Also I’ve never been the one responsible for transmitter and receiver setup , always had rtf’s . What exactly would you suggest To complete this package correctly but still on a budget . Thanks.

[Hugh Wiedman]

Can also add a centerburner! (Unless you already have one installed!)

Your F-18 truly looks the part! :)

Already have the RC Geek twin burners, gotta have em, wouldn't be without em! More important than any other mod! If I ever get around to the video, you'll see! Of course my real problem was created by Elbee with the cockpit design he uploaded to the MRC webpage. That added 150 g extra weight to the nose along with the full body pilot. It's his fault entirely!

BTW, what batteries are you using. I've tried the RT 5500 70C (794 g) and the HRB 6000 50-100C (slightly heavier at 826 g) and both perform well and result in at least 4 minutes flight time. I'm always in search of "better" batteries, and have found that the inrunners do much better on a higher C battery, but of course they also are heavier. And the search goes on.

[Airguardian]

Can also add a centerburner! (Unless you already have one installed!)

Your F-18 truly looks the part! :)

[Hugh Wiedman]

Hugh, do a functional tail hook mod instead of dead lead. ! servo and some plastic for the control horn gotta weight something. The tail hook just screws together and I put a fabricated control horn in the tailhook at the pivot point. It takes a little finesse to on the foam surgery, but at least it is something more than just a weight. Food for thought but just a suggestion. Best, LB

Sounds like a plan, certainly something to think about. BTW, you will definitely love the way your Black Aces flies on the 12 blade! I'm actually glad I flew mine on the stock motor for a while before upgrading it so I really got a taste of the difference. I also suspect you have the original 9 blade 1750Kv outrunner in your beautiful F-4. The difference in that one is even more dramatic going to the 12 blade inrunner!

[Elbee]

Hugh, do a functional tail hook mod instead of dead lead. ! servo and some plastic for the control horn gotta weight something. The tail hook just screws together and I put a fabricated control horn in the tailhook at the pivot point. It takes a little finesse to on the foam surgery, but at least it is something more than just a weight. Food for thought but just a suggestion. Best, LB

[Hugh Wiedman]

Got out today on a gorgeous day and got a ton of flights on 5 EDF's, including 6 on my F-18 Canadian with the recently installed 12 blade 1835 Kv inrunner. I absolutely love that fan in this bird, now I can't image how I even flew it with the original 9 blade 1750 Kv outrunner. It's now blazing fast (at least for me), climbs spectacularly, takes off in half the distance (but the old fan was barely acceptable) and the woooooosh of a 12 blade is sweet. The only fan I will put in any 90 mm from now on (now have 4 of these apparently gold plated motors , judging on what MRC charges for it-but a must have). Flew it balanced at 100-102 mm, which is as far back as I can get the battery (due to the extra 150 g of weight in the 3D cockpit), even with the circuit board removed and the battery jammed as far aft as possible. Flies very well there but still a bit nose heavy, high alpha's OK, but could be further back, as per Airguardian (thanks for the recommendation). So I guess I'll have to put some more lead in the tail to be able to get it to 105-110 mm, but probably that's as far back as I'll fly it and I do have a gyro and satellite in it.

I'll upload a video when I get a chance, so Aros doesn't think I'm fibbing, seeing will be believing!

[Aros]

Thanks Cape Jets! I hope to enjoy it a lot longer than her predecessors, lol.

[Cape Jets]

Yeah I noticed it definitely gave it a nice thin but hard protective surface...Now if only I can afford one of those gorgeous Jet Power BA's! Maybe in my next life. LOL

Looks Great Aros.....I knew you would like the gloss coat. And yes pictures don't do it justice. I gloss everything I have. Protects the thin paint layer and I do notice less bug strikes chip the paint on the wing edges. Plus in the sunshine man does it pop.... Enjoy number #7

[Aros]

LOL, I have a new 4K on the way! Oh, and here's proof she at least got off the ground before the video cut out...

[Hugh Wiedman]

Weeeeeeeeell, about that. Guess your just gonna have to take my word for it...

If you insist, but I've got my eye on you!

[Aros]

I see the camera, so I'll wait for the confirmation video that the maiden was a success...

Weeeeeeeeell, about that. Unfortunately my RunCam2 battery has pooped the bed...My last two video attempts have only recorded about 30 seconds worth of video before shutting down. It happened with my F-22 last week and happened again yesterday for my F-18 maiden. Figures! Already put a request in for a replacement. Guess your just gonna have to take my word for it...

<maniacal laughter>MOOOOHAHAHAHAHAHAHA</maniacal laughter>

[Airguardian]

Cancel that, I see it at 100mm 👍

100mm was the one I had at the time I posted my setup. Later on I moved it back to 112mm and I preferred it there.
That's as much aft as I'd advise anyone going without a gyro. Now I'm probably past 120mm... but I use a gyro.

100-110 should be a good starting point. If anything, start at 100 and slowly move aft and retrim if you feel like it :)

Jandro, that realy surprised me. You‘re absolutely right. There‘s plenty of hidden space. I think, I won‘t need additional calibration weights. Thanks for your help... again.

Glad to help! :)

[Mizer67]

Thanks everyone for the info. Got the jet today and intend to maiden at a field. I did measure the static thrust at right around 7lbs. Does anyone know what the static thrust of the 1835kv motor is? If you have one- would you mind measuring? Thanks

Mine did 3350 - 3400 grams at peak voltage.

I haven't measured the 1900kv motor in my F-18, but the old 1750kv outrunner did 2950 - 3000 grams for comparison.

Feels like a bigger difference in flight, but still 6S power so don't expect unlimited vertical. My F-22 will do about 850 ft. maximum give or take pulled straight up from a level, full throttle pass with the 1835kv, which isn't all that different from what I recorded on 8S in the same plane.

[Polyphren]

Jandro, that realy surprised me. You‘re absolutely right. There‘s plenty of hidden space. I think, I won‘t need additional calibration weights. Thanks for your help... again.

[Hugh Wiedman]

Hugh Wiedman Elbee thanks gents...And for those who are counting, a successful maiden with Lucky #7 in the books! Flew like a dream (the Hobby Eagle gyro is a great addition and really helps on a maiden), very little trim needed. I do have my Admiral 6S 6000 pretty far forward but I like this girl nose heavy.

I see the camera, so I'll wait for the confirmation video that the maiden was a success, not that we don't believe you, but seeing is believing and there's nothing worse than "premature congratulations"!

[Aros]

Hugh Wiedman Elbee thanks gents...And for those who are counting, a successful maiden with Lucky #7 in the books! Flew like a dream (the Hobby Eagle gyro is a great addition and really helps on a maiden), very little trim needed. I do have my Admiral 6S 6000 pretty far forward but I like this girl nose heavy.