Assembly & Flight Review - Freewing A-4 Skyhawk EDF

[@William18621]

Even after all this time, this vid is still relevant. Thanks for the tips Chris, bought a second hand plane without notes, used your suggestions and recommends for C of G which I did with the gear down and the landing was reasonably "easy" never looked like stalling out. Keep up the great work.

[@Thercgeek]

So glad to hear that, thank you!

[@danculver2388]

Hi Chris my name is Dan we talked a few months ago. I just bought a new spektrum nx8 and a new Freewing A4 and I just wanted to thank you for the setup and cg for the skyhawk it flew like it was on rails. And no porpousing on landing. Thank you for your excellent videos.

[@Thercgeek]

Congrats man, so glad to hear of the successful maiden! 😊

[@jamessmith3788]

This video sent me down memory lane. I can remember seeing that plane sitting on Hanna’s deck. 🙂

[@Thercgeek]

Oh cool! Do you have any pictures??

[@jamessmith3788]

Sadly I lost almost all of them in a flood years ago. 🙁

[@jamessmith3788]

I do have one of an F8 launching in the middle of a fuel-rep while we were making 10-12 knots & tied to an oiler.

[@Thercgeek]

oh dang! :(

[@jamessmith3788]

Yea, I was very unhappy about that flood. I lost quite a bit of irreplaceable items.

[@LigthningII]

I have not flown mine yet so I thought I would come back to this review first. I am so glad i did. Forgot to make notes. I did this time. Many thanks for the review.

[@mjg22]

Great hints and for the A4, but I wouldn’t close the aux air inlet anymore. Flying with open „cheater hole“ the A4 has a very good high angle of attack controllability, typical for a delta plane. Landing with nose high and a bit of thrust was easy to control. But after closing the aux air inlet, I had several uncomfortable stalls close to the ground during flare, resulting in hard landings, as the EDF has considerable less trust and slower response during slow flight with closed cheater hole.

[@tonygreen1067]

I remember the Blue Angels A-4's. Loved that show.

[@Thercgeek]

The A-4 was by far my favorite aircraft to watch the blues fly. Had so much more grace and agility compared to the brute force F-18 shows.

[@chuckcombs3820]

Thank you for building this beautiful A4 Skyhawk with the VA55 details. I found your website by looking for A4 videos. I was a plane captain with VA55 during the Viet Nam war. I made two WestPacs, the 69-70 and 70-71. AND, I was, at one point the PC for 500. Very cool video. Amazing build. Thank you.

[@Thercgeek]

Very cool! Thanks for watching and thank you for serving!

[@mxdad7214]

Great tips...thx. I too am a huge fan of the A4 and loved how they looked performing as Blue Angles. I saw the them half a dozen times at Mira Mar in the 80's and was a little disappointed at the show once they moved over the to FA18. The A4 just looked so crisp and agile during the shows. You should consider doing one up in the Blue Angel Livery! I've seen other done up but your finish is second to none on the foamy planes. Great channel...thanks for all your work.

[@charleshynes5470]

Chris, I use that glue without melting by making contact of both parts for 5 seconds then pull apart for a minute or two before making the connection. We call it flashoff. Charlie H.

[@Thercgeek]

Good to know! I've pretty much avoided that glue since then and have just been using epoxy.

[@davidsoom6383]

You mentioned that your father's modeling company did the models for TOPGUN. I watch the video of the back scenes of the movie and they had a whole section on how the shoot when for the use of the model F-14s. It was vastly interesting by the way. Anyway they showed an area of new home lots on top of a hill they said was above somewhere in the bay area.(Oakland?) As I watch the field you fly from and the houses below it sees to me to be the same area were they filmed the TOPGUN models, is it by chance? Sure looks like it if my recollection is correct. Thanks, Excellent Channel.

[@Thercgeek]

Thanks for the kind words! Yeah, my dad was contracted to build the models for the movie, but he didn't work on site for the special effects I don't think. He worked onsite for the special effects for Iron Eagle 1 and 2 though as well as Firefox though. In terms of the field, it's not the same one. I don't actually know where they filmed that stuff for Top Gun, but I don't think this field was around when they made the movie.

[@dragonmeddler2152]

Thanks for your tribute to the Skyhawk, a great little bomber. My squadron (VA-192) flew the A-4E and F models during my 4 year enlistment, 1966-70, off Ticonderoga and Oriskany.

[@Thercgeek]

Wow, the golden dragons, very cool! Do you have any pics? A friend of my dad's flew A-4s in that squadron from the Ticonderoga. Probably around that time frame, though I'm not certain the exact years.

[@markwilson5407]

My Dad flew the A-4E in Vietnam off the Bon Home Richard with VA-94 Shrikes in 68 and 69.

[@dragonmeddler2152]

@@markwilson5407 Mark, tip of my white hat to your dad. To this day, I am awestruck at the courage and airmanship of these young men who were shot off the pointy end of our ship.

[@markwilson5407]

@@dragonmeddler2152 Thank you. My Dad never Bragged. I am always doing it for him. And Thank you..for your sevice.

[@octane2099]

The 90mm F-16 also has that nose pitch up if you have the battery too far back

[@allgood6760]

Awesome... I have a Hasegawa 1/72 model kit of an A4 with this squadron.....we used to operate A4 Skyhawks with our RNZAF.. cool plane!.. thanks from NZ 👍🇳🇿

[@Thercgeek]

Awesome!

[@janne-pekkahuuhtanen4691]

Hi there Chris, Thanks for the idea to Block the auxiliarity inlet. It really sounds better that way and there is no difference in performance. Happy landings, Janne from Up North

[@Thercgeek]

Awesome!

[@GBLynden]

This is an excellent video! Thank you so much for all of the honest feedback. It looks like way too much work for what I looking for at this time.

[@Thercgeek]

Thanks for watching! The A-4 is a unique one, but once setup right does fly nicely. Nice job with your channel BTW! Out of curiosity, what are you using for camera with your flight videos? I'm kind of in the market for an upgrade.

[@GBLynden]

@@Thercgeek Sorry I missed this comment a while back and oddly enough, I decided to add this one to my hangar now. Thank you for the comment on my channel and I will hit you up on Instagram to give you the camera details. The camera you're using in this video looks amazing!

[@okrajoe]

Beautiful model.

[@Thercgeek]

Thank you!

[@christopherji7341]

Hey have you considered doing a review of the freewing f5? Jet seems really cool but not many good videos online about it

[@Thercgeek]

If I get an F-5, I would do that. I don't have any plans on getting that one at the moment though. :|

[@johncochran9392]

Nice looking bird. Detail work on the finish is really cool. The scale look and performance of these newer Foam arfs is truly awesome. When I was coming up in the rc flight world you couldn't have anything close to today's edf for anything less than several thousand dollars.

[@Thercgeek]

Very true! The hobby has come a long way.

[@kingofnowhere.]

The way u describe everything its so good, i love it

[@Thercgeek]

Thank you!

[@Tiger_Driver]

Hi there, where did you find the stencil for the wing vortex generator positioning? This bird is awesome!

[@Thercgeek]

I made my own from a cad drawing I had. I have the template available in my blog article here: www.thercgeek.com/2018/03/freewing-a-4-skyhawk-80mm-edf-assembly-flight-review

[@bobdegood71]

Thanks for the great video and set-up tips. I've been on the fence about an A-4 for a few months but ordered one last night. I just went through the video again and made notes about throws and CG. I know what you mean about Delta wings, I have been through that with the Freewing Mirage (two attempts at a maiden and two crashes). Waiting for the winter weather to go away here in Kansas City so I can get back out and fly.

[@Thercgeek]

Consider the cg a starting point as the airplane really is nose heavy at that location. I never really got to tune the cg fully since I lost the airplane prematurely. My friend played with the cg quite a bit on his and he actually moved quite a bit further back and the airplane landed super nice there.

[@afterburnerrc6333]

Hey Chris, do you recommend CG be measured right side up or inverted and should gear be up or down? Thanks!

[@Thercgeek]

Upright or upside down doesn’t matter and typically cg with the gear down unless otherwise noted.

[@AerospaceMatt]

The last human to set foot on the moon, Eugene Cernan in 1972, flew A-4s in the Navy with the VA-113 “Stingers” If I ever get this beautiful Freewing Jet, I will paint it as necessary to match his aircraft’s markings, with a little help from Callie of course!

[@Thercgeek]

That would be a really great tribute!

[@russcole5685]

Would it be difficult to add main gear doors and leading edge slats to this model thinking leading edge slats might help slow speed handling

[@Thercgeek]

The main gear doors are pretty feasible. I know a few folks who have done it. Requires making a form and then making parts from it or just hand building each door in the right shape. Slats are a much more difficult prospect. I do think it could be done, but lots of geometry to sort out. I’d recommend making a fiberglass part of the slat off of the model first and then you’d need to build up tracks for it, etc.

[@dradden1556]

I ordered this plane is very cool 👍.

[@chrismanning1171]

I saw one the other day at my job. It was greay seeing it up close.

[@highalpharc]

I wish I had paid attention to the whole video before crashing mine on the second flight. It was also the last one so I can't even replace it until they restock it 😖

[@tomspettel3646]

Great vid... i have a question. When you installed the vortex generators did they enhance lift or control in anyway? Thanks

[@Thercgeek]

Thanks! I didn't really notice any difference with the VG's on the wing.

[@HoverOrDie]

Hi Chris.. I wanted to ask you how you removed paint from the foam before refinishing.. I like to cover my foamies with styrospray but always have issues removing factory paint.. Thanks in advance..

[@Thercgeek]

On this one, I didn't actually remove the paint. In my warbird refinish series (thercgeek.com/refinishafoamy), I used acetone to strip the paint. I've also used Grow Automotive Super Klean which doesn't have any solvents in it and it works great too (amzn.to/2K31Xbb).

[@HoverOrDie]

The RC Geek thank you so much for reply and I will check out the products you mentioned. Thank you again..

[@ShadowVFX]

Can you elaborate on the wire spring you used for the nose gear door? I'm not sure I understand how this is working. I add nose gear doors to a lot of planes I own and I always struggle with how to make the gear doors spring open. Maybe you can make a how-to video for it?

[@Thercgeek]

So, the spring is like a big "Z", except that the leg attaching the top and bottom is vertical. Also, the top leg is quite a bit longer than the bottom and is angled outwards to push the door open. So, when the door closes, that top leg basically just rubs against the door, but still provides force to open it up. I do have a picture in my article on my website which should help? thercgeek.com/2018/03/freewing-a-4-skyhawk-80mm-edf-assembly-flight-review/

[@matk4731]

Very nice looks great in the air & on the ground. Bugga about the mishaps. I remember seeing the Skyhawks as a boy being flown by the RAAF here in Australia 🇦🇺 always loved them.

[@Thercgeek]

Cool! I've always loved A-4s as well, such a classic looking design.

[@herbh9348]

Thanks for the review, great job, gotta get me this A4.

[@Thercgeek]

Thank you for watching!

[@bradenkingsley4730]

When in doubt put the cg I bit nose heavy, just a bit. And put a little up trim

[@Thercgeek]

Yup! I didn't double check CG after the refinish and it bit me. :( Nose heavy airplanes fly poorly, tail heavy airplanes fly once!

[@robbiedavis72]

Hello guy love the channel, can you tell me how you ran your esc through the Fuselage? Did you go through the Balsa wood and Styrofoam? If so how is it done and mounted? Any pics of you doing yours? Thanks

[@Thercgeek]

There is a wire that comes in the kit with a loop on one end that you can use to help pull the wires through into the forward fuselage. I'm not sure I have any pics posted, but you can take a look in my review article: thercgeek.com/2018/03/freewing-a-4-skyhawk-80mm-edf-assembly-flight-review/

[@bobturner3388]

Another very informative video! Thank you

[@USNVA11]

Great review ! How can you not love the “Scooter” ? 😄

[@Thercgeek]

Thank you! :)

[@yanirroved5213]

fast, small, deadly this airplane is cool

[@LOSCABOSLIFE]

What size battery did you use? Getting ready to Maiden mine and would love a 2nd opinion.

[@Thercgeek]

I was using a Roaring Top 35c 6s 5800 pack.

[@LOSCABOSLIFE]

Thanks bud, you've got a new subscriber due to not only your content, but the fact you replied...lol. so many YT influencers dont. 🤛

[@Thercgeek]

Thanks man, I'm happy to help!

[@TheAmishSasquatch]

Nice review. I was debating about buying the A-4. I purchased the A-6 Intruder kit, instead and plan to ultra detail it using some of your techniques. Will your 3D bombs and ejector racks work with the A-6?

[@Thercgeek]

Cool, thanks! The bomb set I developed for the A-4 is too big for the A-6. However, Motion RC does sell a foam multiple ejector rack setup specifically for the A-6.

[@josipvrandecic2472]

Very good work Sir..it was a pleasure watching .

[@Thercgeek]

Thank you!

[@tomspettel3646]

Do you have a recommendation For replacement main gear. The euro fighter has been discontinued. I tried to order a set off ebay and got a refund..

[@Thercgeek]

I’m not sure, I would have to look. Bummer that they’re no available anymore.

[@michaelboyd3985]

Where can you get the gauge from? looks very handy!

[@Thercgeek]

They are a great planes product available from Tower Hobbies: www.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXK260&P=ML

[@petergottschalk4524]

i see your useing a 5800? the book calls for 5000,,but the motion rc test video capt. mike say's he's useing a 4000? i have a 6000 do you think this would work ok?

[@Thercgeek]

Yeah, a 6000 should be fine so long as you can get the cg ok.

[@robw8703]

Another great video Chris, thank you! Quick question for you...do you think this aircraft would be able to handle the 6000 mAh Pro packs from Admiral? It'd be a little extra weight and size up front which may also allow me to have the battery back a bit further since it seems the 5000s were being run pretty far forward. Thanks again!

[@Thercgeek]

Yeah, I don’t think that’ll be an issue. I flew this one on 5800s I think and would use a 6250 if I were to do it again.

[@RustyFPV]

Hello there Mr RC Geek! I'm currently looking into purchasing my first freezing EDF. I'm liking the look of this A4 slot! That and the Mirage. Are there any particular 'first freewing EDFs' you would recommend?

[@Thercgeek]

Most of the Freewing jets would probably fit the bill ok, but I wouldn't start with the A-4. Truthfully, the E-flite ViperJet is a great first EDF. It flies absolutely fatastically!

[@RustyFPV]

@@Thercgeek that's great cheers! How about the Avanti S?

[@christopherkirsling9309]

Nice video, I have a question have you ever reviewed the Fly-sky i10, I've heard a lot of good things about this tx if you know could you let me know.

[@Thercgeek]

Unfortunately, I don't have any experience with the Fly-Sky radios. I'm primarily a spektrum user nowadays.

[@JustwingitRC]

VERY cool Chris!!! Great job on the Scooter....:)!!!

[@Thercgeek]

Thanks man!

[@michaelcuthbert6956]

Great video thanks Chris. I haven't flown mine with tanks (or Bullpup's) yet. Did you notice much change in cg when flying with tanks?

[@Thercgeek]

Definitely double check the CG with them on, but it should be ok.

[@michaelcuthbert6956]

Will do, thanks Chris

[@Thercgeek]

Thanks for watching! 😊

[@kingofnowhere.]

How did you control that big plan, i curious about remort controls, can u tell me?

[@Thercgeek]

Look up the dx18 radio online. Today’s radio tech uses 2.4 frequency hopping technology and have numerous channels available for control and functions.

[@kingofnowhere.]

@@Thercgeek thanks

[@jettechdonatkins]

Chris this is a great video on the Freewing A-4.I really like the finish you put on the bird,very sharp looking!Thanks for all the info and tips.I think I will get one to play with while I'm building my Byron A-4 project.Cheers,Don

[@Thercgeek]

Thanks! Sounds like a good plan. :)

[@jettechdonatkins]

Finally got a very nice 2nd hand A-4 with 2 flights on it,it looks brand new! Have to change NAVY scheme to MARINES,so am waiting for the new graphics to show up.I won't remove the original paint,just sand and prime then color.What color white and gray did you use? I will try some of your finishing on it.The mlg that you used are no longer available so I'll need to find something that will work.Should be a fun project! Thanks again for your videos!

[@matthewjames2649]

Jumpin Jiminy crickets.. next !! Should have sent the whole thing back .

[@warrenestep5148]

Chris, great video with good info. Are you putting in the 80mm led system. Also cannot wait to see what you do with the F4 phantom.

[@Thercgeek]

Thanks! No centerburner in this one, A-4s were non afterburning.

[@Thercgeek]

I'm definitely looking forward to the F4. I still have another month or more before I get it though as I pre-ordered in the second batch. :(

[@danculver2388]

Hello I really like your videos. I have been flying since 1986 and I built 2 A4 from your Dad jet hanger. I wanted to know if you would be interested in 3d printing main gear doors

[@Thercgeek]

Thanks! Unfortunately I don’t have the time to do custom cad work at the moment. That said, the way I would approach gear doors on the A-4 is with the wing glasses and assembled, make a quick mold of the gear area and then lay up some glass parts to make the doors from. This also ensures that they will be a perfect match to your wing.

[@danculver2388]

@@Thercgeek ok thank you. I figured I would ask. I will probably make a foam mold and glass a set.im getting ready to madien my A4 today I set it up as you suggested. Thank you again and keep the Awesome videos coming.

[@Dean_Cooling]

Hi Chris, I hope you don’t mind me asking, but would you mind if I pick your brains briefly about some Tx’s please? Thankyou and kindest regards Dean Wales, UK

[@Thercgeek]

Sure, feel free to ask here or via my contact form on my website.

[@grant22vids]

Another excellent and helpful vid by the geek Thx bud!

[@Thercgeek]

Thanks for watching!

[@hifinsword]

Great review and tips! I believe you fly off pavement. But I only have a grass field. But it's a nice one and those trailing links are the ticket for us grass flyers. When I see the nose wheel is just an oleo, I cringe, b/c I know it won't take a divit on my grass field. I'm looking forward to getting this one this summer.

[@Thercgeek]

Thanks! Yeah, the trailing link stuff does help with grass and other unimproved surfaces. That's why they do it. Still kills me every time though, haha! ;) I am spoiled flying off pavement though. ;)

[@volksyes9477]

I'm just watching these videos all these planes look awesome but I think it's time for a really good scale F-14 ahh 😁 love the JHH with the aggressor scheme. And BTW your work on detailing is amazing 👍👍👍

[@Thercgeek]

Thanks so much! I do have a 1/10 scale F-14 project laying in wait...if I could just stop with these foam distractions! ;)

[@volksyes9477]

The RC Geek yay! Can't wait for the day when your F-14 is up in the air or just a build montage 😁

[@rockerdoc49t9]

Where were you flying?

[@Thercgeek]

This was out at the old Miramar rc flyer field. Was the best field in San Diego…key word “was” 😕

[@titaofgames827]

were i buy one ? can u tell me ? tanks

[@Thercgeek]

Check out motionrc.com

[@jamessmith3788]

Any way to load a pic here?

[@Thercgeek]

Unfortunately you can't post pics on the youtube comments. If you should be an email through my contact form though at thercgeek.com/contact Shoot me an email and I can then email you back and you can send the pic if you would like.

[@ADAPTATION7]

Impressive for a foam plane.

[@wynnrobins6606]

Can you send me the vg template?

[@Thercgeek]

It’s on my website here www.thercgeek.com/2018/03/freewing-a-4-skyhawk-80mm-edf-assembly-flight-review

[@wynnrobins6606]

@@Thercgeek awesome. Thank you. Only just got into EDFs and found your channel...wicked content. Have subbed

[@Thercgeek]

Thank you!

[@JamesWhite-yj7sd]

this sounds silly what a fanatic

[@Tom-mk7iq]

From my experience most these jets need to be nose heavy

[@Thercgeek]

Generally yes, but it really does depend. A nose heavy airplane will fly poorly, tail heavy airplane will fly once. 😉

[@dradden1556]

It's alot of plane for $300.

[@pencils1951]

Stick to building and not flying.

[@Thercgeek]

Haha, you really don’t know me do you 🤣

[@hungrybasset6384]

Too small, as are all of the jets from that company.