Freewing B-17 Flying Fortress Silver 1600mm (63") Wingspan - PNP

[MichaelJ]

Ive noted that youre using the bell-housing motors will you have an upgrade to this?

[Elbee]

Hey Michaelj, I have this B-17 coming possibly yet today. Is this going to be an "Official Freewing B-17 Flying Fortress" Thread? I ask as we could use a place to trade info on spare parts and upgrades, etcetera since after this shipment this airframe will no longer be offered. Best, LB

[Alpha]

Hi Michaelj, I assume by "you're using" you mean "Freewing"? If so, then I can answer for them. Freewing does not plan to upgrade the current motors. Bombers of the early ~2010 era often used bell motors for their weight-to-power (FMS B-25, Taft B-25, Freewing B-17, Sonic B-17, HP C-130, etc). The Freewing B-17's current configuration has been in use unchanged for over five years, and has served faithfully across a worldwide customer base. Furthermore, the B-17's motors are specific to that model to fly the four motor configuration with scale props on a model of that size and wing loading with that battery setup. Changing the motor (added cost) would necessitate a change to the propellers (new mold, added cost) and likely to the ESCs (added cost), which in turn might necessitate structural strengthening (added cost and increased wing loading), all to gain speed on a bomber which is actually already much faster than scale. In fact I fly mine like a fighter sometimes, which makes some eyes roll.

In general, Freewing will upgrade components if either there is a significant, consistent issue with the stock setup (exceedingly rare) or, more often, simply to offer power upgrades. For bombers, however, the market to upgrade motors just isn't there in numbers worth tooling up for. Finally, the B-17 itself is nearing EOL, End Of Life, making amortizing any additional investment far more unlikely.

May I recommend enjoying the Freewing 1600mm B-17 in its stock configuration, as designed. Let us know what you think of it!

[Elbee]

May I recommend enjoying the Freewing 1600mm B-17 in its stock configuration, as designed.

Alpha, I am finding more and more that this attitude seems/will keep me out of trouble when it comes to modifications.LOLThank you as always for your sage advice, Sir. Best, LB

[thisguy65]

How is the model to fly for a relatively new pilot that is thinking of getting something new?

[JFandL]

How is the model to fly for a relatively new pilot that is thinking of getting something new?

This would not be a good choice, while it's not hard to fly it can get real fast and in a turn while going slow can have some fun stuff happen like tip stall.

I love the F-17 wait B-17 hehe. but its not a good choice for a new pilots.(Newer).

[thisguy65]

Yes, give it power while going in to turns. Fly scale, flat turns seems to keep you out of trouble.