Maiden flight on the Freewing B-17 is done

[dkalwishky]

I did some taxi tests and I found I need to adjust the tail wheel, it's not straight. I had to hold a lot of right rudder to keep it straight while taxiing.

After a couple of taxi tests I advanced the throttle to half, the tail came up so I thought what the heck, a little up elevator and 75% power and she started climbing. I was not planning on flying until I adjusted the tail wheel but it just felt right so I went for it,

I was nervous and a little shaky but made some low passes and she really looks good in the air. Minimal trimming was needed, she flew beautifully.

During the last low pass the canopy popped off (it's held in place by two small magnets). I decided I'd better land.

I brought the power back, added the first notch of flaps and this beauty settled right in for a near perfect landing.

I never did get to full power, just 75% which was very scale like for speed. I'll get some better magnets for the canopy and get the tail wheel centered up and I'll fly her again.

The 2 minutes it flew were great, I think I'm going to love this plane!

[Grossman56]

Sounds great, any maiden that ends positively is a good maiden. The plane looks awesome in the picture, great job!


Grossman56

[dkalwishky]

I didn't have to add any weight. I'm using a pair of Admiral 1800's all the way forward in the nose. She's a tad nose heavy, on the next flight I'll move them back a little.

[danloc78]

Congrats on the successful maiden! That is one beautiful airplane, and that looks like one heck of a flying field behind it!

[rc-eflyer]

Congrats on the maiden, always good to get that first flight Adrenalin rush :D

Steve

[dkalwishky]

I'm using two 1800 mAh batteries, I get 4 minutes if flying time at 70% power, the cells are 3.78 volts when I land.

This takeoff was 70% power.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95A7nFiYFZc

[farmflyer]

It looks to have plenty of power and speed that was a pretty short steep take off.

[dkalwishky]

I set the elevator thrown down after that flight, mine has way more than needed. :)