F9 Panther 64mm EDF by Freewing, with several crashes

[@phaedradg]

Those first few flights were textbook tail-heavy flights.

[@44Mag]

Yep - this thing is great once you get the CG right. I plan to get the new one with the Navy blue paint job. I have found the stock motor will handle 4s batteries, and I have even used the stock ESC with them without any problems, though I plan to swap the ESC for a 45amp one, just to play it safe.

[@johnniej7975]

Bought mine in July 2018, took 3 crashes to zero in on the CG. Had to cut the sides of battery tray nearest the nose, so tray is like a springboard, used a 2200 mAh 3cell pushed all the way to the nose and added 3/4 oz of lead in the nose cone. The correct CG is approx. 35/40 mm forward of what they call for. The CG is the first panel line rear of the silver leading edge. Flies like a dream now, doesn't porpoise in the air, ( sign of tail heavy). does not tip stall at slow speeds nearly as bad as when tail heavy. isn't nearly as touchy to fly in general. Had someone else show up with one at the flying field, didn't believe me where actual CG is and flew nose heavy of recommended CG. Flew like it had an anchor attached to the tail, crashed on hard surface, beyond repair. I did not have mine with me to show him. When the correct CG is achieved, this thing is a blast to fly, looks great in the air. Not sure if in the demo videos with 1600 mAh battery, maybe they originally came with a load of lead in the nose cone, they never actually show or tell you where the CG is located when they fly. Actually dont recall anyone making a video of this jet giving the correct location of the CG. Doesn't matter what options you put on an aircraft, that does not change where the CG should be, it only changes where the weight shifted it to. You need to add/reduce weight depending on options to maintain the correct CG. Sorry for getting so long-winded.

[@44Mag]

Thanks for the back-info....In the 64mm EDF's, my favorites was this one and the Stinger (4s version) I have had 3 of these Panthers....(2 new, 1 used) - Over time, I wore out two of them, and gave one away to a friend. I currently do not have either (pilot errors with catastrophic crashes on both) - Once I recover from Christmas expenses, I plan to buy both again though) I found the most fun with the panther, was to cut out half the battery tray, shove a 1/2" thick foam block in the nose, then slide a 1800mAh 4s battery in, with a foam rubber pad at the back of it (to prevent the remaining battery tray from gouging the top of the battery) In doing this, the thing practically leaps out of your hand when you toss it, and it is a hoot to fly. - On one of them, I did not change any of the electronics. On the 2nd one, I did change the ESC to a 40amp, so I could spend more time at max throttle. On both, I used the original stock motor and 5-blade fan. I did take the 12-blade fan and motor out of the Stinger and tried it in the Panther....It gave great High-Speed runs, but it lacked grunt-thrust and was hard to launch cleanly. I switched it back to the original 5-blade, and never looked back...You loose a little top-end, but you have much more initial grunt due to the better efficiency of the fewer blades. You are right though - this is a great flying model once you get the CG dialed in....The Stinger 64 (4s) is also fun, though it does not like slow-flight near as well as the Panther. I am hoping Freewing will produce an 80mm version of the Panther eventually,,,,, Thanks again, and fun flights.....

[@johnniej7975]

@@44Mag That is great to hear, I am in the first stages of going to a 4 cell setup in the Panther and was wondering if 40 amp ESC would be ok, thanks again, the info is very helpful.

[@JoshWeaverRC]

This is good info. I have a large balsa model started by someone else and hopefully finished by me. Seeing how I have that large F9, this one would be perfect compliment. The larger was to be a gas powered turbine. I'll frankenstine it to get it in the air under combo of a tractor and some smaller pusher EDFs until I can afford the larger EDF power system.

[@44Mag]

Sounds nice...

[@aeromustang4054]

I just heard he added flaperrons. Why in the heck would you do that to a scale airplane?

[@44Mag]

This little plane can use the extra lift the flaperons provide when taking off from a grass field.

[@jasoncung3584]

Hi! Where did you mount the battery to get the CG? With landing gear installed, the battery won't go far enough forward because the front landing gear is in the way. Thanks

[@44Mag]

I cut out the front of the battery tray and then shove the battery all the way up. (kind of at a small angle if your gear is there). It really is better to fly it as a belly lander though.

[@natal777]

That looked just like my flight lol

[@44Mag]

I've had about four of these things now...They fly really well, but can be a handful, especially when tossing it. - I was punching way beyond my weight class when I got this! - haha

[@MrPolymers]

I've been looking at this and the Lippisch P15. Now, I've been a quadcopter guy for 5 years and am getting back into fixed wing. I'm not new to fixed wing but sure am to EDF. I also have a new A-10 to fly. With the A-10, I installed a 6 axis gyro. I guess as a quadcopter guy, gyros are just something you have. This F9 appears to be very sensitive to the wind. Granted, my small foamies all have that same characteristic. Good Luck flying...

[@44Mag]

Thanks - If you are looking for a first EDF, the best value out there is the Rebel V2. It sells for $179 and comes with flaps and retracts installed. best of all, it runs on the cheaper 4s batteries (2600-3000) as well, but it is much larger and easier to fly. I have several videos posted of it as well.

[@MrPolymers]

@@44Mag Thanks. My A10 is the Dynam that runs on 3s batteries. Since I've had a number of quads, I have a number of 3s batteries. I kinda like the 64mm EDF. For $109, I won't have a coronary if I crash it. Good luck.. ;)

[@zefkosta]

Tail heavy off course. Old doesn´t mean experienced, an experienced pilot doesn´t try to fly a tail heavy plane. Plus, you have a lethal combination, besides being tail heavy, your ailerons are drooped since you have flaperons, giving the wing washin. it is a bad idea having flaperons without conventional flaps also as they will go lower than the flaperons, giving the wing washout. Wasn´t for the tail feathers being so large she would be unflyable. The way you finally flew her means you are a skilled pilot.

[@austingoleman4796]

Stop flying in to the sun big no no

[@44Mag]

So true.....

[@johndylan9309]

This jet is garbage

[@44Mag]

If you ever get one balanced right, they fly very well. I have had about 5 of them now (both new and used) But you are right, as I see them at swap meets for about $50 (I bought my last one for $30 with a receiver in it) - Got about three flights on it before it went in from a poor hand launch, and I gave it away rather than repair it.

[@phaedradg]

They fly really nice when you get the CG right. The CG mentioned in the manual is really tail-heavy, and the result can be seen in the video.