These Eurofighter flights were so exciting!! The Freewing Eurofighter flies a lot more scale-like than most other rc jets in the same category do, mostly due to its canarded-delta design and unique aerodynamics. Also, this new Eurofighter offering by Freewing features wingtip twist, which very possibly helps in that regard. By 'scale-like' I mean that the flight dynamics of the model make it look more like a full scale size jet than it would otherwise be usual if you know how to pull the moves correctly with a trick or two... the jet just cuts through the air at a positive angle of attack, drifting ass gracefully without wing rocking,stalling or snapping, even when excess sideslip develops. That's a feature that most deltas share (but that the Eurofighter reigns supreme at) but not so much other fighter jet designs. The F-18 or F-22 for instance like to snap badly if you force too much beta angle (sideslip) on a loaded roll, and the Su-35 is so nimble it doesn't get to drift ass unless you fly it ridiculously slow, at which point it gives a different vibe. So, in short, the Freewing Eurofighter flies bigger than it looks!
Also, this time I was flying at the RACBSA field, where I have a lot more space to maneuver than my usual airclub, and that allows this model to truly shine! Thing looks as if it was making tactical flybys at Mach Loop!! :DDD
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 true-to-scale 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 10th to 12th on 'Lara'.
Pilot: RC4ever
Airfield: RACBSA
Ground video: Luis Ibáñez
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SPECS: (Reflecting MY particular modded setup)
Wingspan: 1030mm (960mm)
Length: 1450mm (1400mm)
Weight without batteries: TBD
Batteries weight: TBD (Main + Rx packs)
Take-off weight: TBD
CG: 30mm behind factory marks
Power System: 8S
Electronic Speed Control: 120A with 8A/BEC
EDF: 12-Blade fan
Motor: 4075-1350kv 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 Li-Po
- Rx batt: CNHL 2S 650mAh Li-Po
Material: EPO Foam
Tx: Jeti DS-24
Rx/gyro: Jeti Rex-12A
Current sensor: Jeti MUI-200
UBEC: TGY 8-15A
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 over-exaggerated CG settings. There's no way a jet like this will fly any good with CG where they tell you to. At 25-30mm behind the marks, the jet is perfectly stable, with room to shift further aft. Actually, 25-30mm 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: 2-3mm trailing edge up
Canards: 2mm pitch down (LE, root)
Rudder: Centered
Physical throws: YES.
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