Since the Freewing Eurofighter features a beautiful and comprehensive set of navigation lights, we may just as well put them to good use, hehehe... !!
Nothing like flying model aircraft with LED lights in beautiful sunset settings to make the flights pop!!
This rc plane is a blast to fly! It certainly doesn't feature the crazy maneuverability of its former versions which featured thrust vectoring nozzles and were lighter, but it has a greater top speed, and retains energy better, thanks to the newer, sleeker airframe design and larger, more truetoscale wing planform. Wingtip twist also seems to have improved high alpha performance and stability, as expected (less wing rocking), although obviously the jet loses control sooner, compared to the older TV version. I also can't stress out enough that this bird looks hella gorgeous on the special 'Ala 14' livery and loaded with full ordnance! I just started testing the airbrake and doesn't seem to cause any undesired tendencies. Also tested the mock drop tanks and although they obviously add drag, they help the jet with high alpha as they shift the CG further aft, and add some lift and lateral stability of their own!
Flights 13th to 15th on 'Lara'.
Pilot: RC4ever
Airfield: RACBSA
Ground video: Luis Ibáñez
SPECS: (Reflecting MY particular modded setup)
Wingspan: 1030mm (960mm)
Length: 1450mm (1400mm)
Weight without batteries: TBD
Batteries weight: TBD (Main + Rx packs)
Takeoff weight: TBD
CG: 30mm behind factory marks
Power System: 8S
Electronic Speed Control: 120A with 8A/BEC
EDF: 12Blade fan
Motor: 40751350kv brushless
Servos:
4x 9g digital hybrid gear servo
2x 9g digital metal gear servo
2x 17g digital metal gear servo
3x Electric landing gear retracts
1x Airbrake actuator
Batteries:
Main batts: HRB 8S 4200mAh 60C LiPo
Rx batt: CNHL 2S 650mAh LiPo
Material: EPO Foam
Tx: Jeti DS24
Rx/gyro: Jeti Rex12A
Current sensor: Jeti MUI200
UBEC: TGY 815A
A note on CG: at 30mm (roughly) behind factory marks under the wings, the model is still noticeably nose heavy. Not too bad, decent enough for most users but definitely not ideal for those searching for the optimal aerobatic performance. One way or another, it's a shame that model aircraft manufacturers suggest such ridiculously overexaggerated CG settings. There's no way a jet like this will fly any good with CG where they tell you to. At 2530mm behind the marks, the jet is perfectly stable, with room to shift further aft. Actually, 2530mm behind the marks is probably a much better spot for a maiden flight. Even then, ssdly the jet still required elevon pitch up trim. As of this moment, my canard offset is about 2mm LE down from the suggested fuselage marks. Will probably increase it further (pitch down) once I move the CG further aft.
SETTINGS:
Long story short: Full mechanical throws with factory linkage setup (although I moved the linkages one hole further out on the canard servo atms to increase canard throws) and very large expo values all around, in the 70% range.
Mechanical offsets/trim:
Elevons: 23mm trailing edge up
Canards: 2mm pitch down (LE, root)
Rudder: Centered
Physical throws: YES.
You can also follow me on:
YouTube: / rc4ever
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Patreon: / airguardian