Is this the BEST EDF RC JET? An FMS Bae Hawk REVIEW

In this review, we take a closer look at the FMS Bae Hawk 80mm EDF RC jet and put it to the test. With a full assortment of features and the iconic Red Arrows livery, this rc jet is an extremely replica of the Hawk flown by the world-famous aerobatic team.
Join us as we dive into a little aviation history, set up and prep the model for the ultimate flight experience, and take it to the skies. Is this the best EDF RC jet on the market? We'll find out. Plus, stick around for some thoughts on getting into RC jet flying!
Thank you to Brock Slagle from Bluesky Filmworks for his help behind the camera!
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▼Links to Everything used on the model below▼
FMS Bae Hawk 80mm EDF RC Jet Sources
FMS Hobby► bit.ly/FMSHawk80
FairRC► shrsl.com/416hl
6s 6250mah Battery ► bit.ly/RT6s6250
Spektrum AR8020T Receiver ► bit.ly/SptmAR8020T
Spektrum NX Radio ► bit.ly/SpktmTx
ERNST Airplane Stand ► amzn.to/3ftOv0w
Deflection Meter ► bit.ly/DeflectionMeter
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00:00 Introduction
00:35 Who's Really Flying??
01:09 About the FMS Bae Hawk
01:42 Aileron Reflex?
02:03 Retracts & Gear Doors
02:25 Flight Controls
03:02 Battery Placement & CG
03:58 Flying the Model
04:47 Use the Force Harry
05:18 That Airshow Photo Pass
05:51 Climb Performance
06:36 How Fast is IT?
07:40 Slow Flight
08:29 Thoughts for Getting into Jets
09:39 Final Thoughts

[@Thercgeek]

This is such a good flying EDF! ▼Links to Everything used on the model below▼ FMS Bae Hawk 80mm EDF RC Jet Sources FMS Hobby► bit.ly/FMSHawk80 FairRC► shrsl.com/416hl Horizon Hobby► bit.ly/FMSHawk80HH 6s 6250mah Battery ► bit.ly/RT6s6250 Spektrum AR8020T Receiver ► bit.ly/SptmAR8020T Spektrum NX Radio ► bit.ly/SpktmTx ERNST Airplane Stand ► amzn.to/3ftOv0w Deflection Meter ► bit.ly/DeflectionMeter

[@lw216316]

Nice review as always. I flew mine at the same field yesterday and agree with Chirs on his evaluation. Mine did not require the elevator adjustment shown here, as it was basically neutral. The light in the nose is a nice feature on this plane and the lights are bright. As you could see on the 400 foot runway she does require a good bit of space to land. Full flaps help with this nicely. There is space in the battery compartment to accomodate various size batteries and leave room for adjustment to balance. This 80mm can put some space between you and it very quickly so thankful the red provides good visibility. New pilots please listen to the good advice from Chris to get some sport plane and / or warbird experience before moving up to jets.

[@paulhatcher9767]

Good job Chris! This is one of many that’s been on my list.

[@JustwingitRC]

Nice review Chris of this super sweet little jet! Man do those things fly good!

[@Thercgeek]

Yeah they do!

[@user-rz7zf2yy6g]

This is my favorite jet and aircraft, tremendous performance for the money

[@Hughejazshole]

Love the plane and great review!!! Thanks for the info!

[@Thercgeek]

Thank you!

[@ToyotaGuy1971]

Love the way it looks and sounds! 👍👍

[@janne-pekkahuuhtanen4691]

That was smoooooth. Thanks again Chris. Janne

[@smokeymountainrctravisThompson]

Awesome jet. Looks great

[@SanDiegoUteFan]

Great review Chris. Informative and entertaining as always. (Abraham Lincoln in 1776). I miss flying with you at the field. Glad you're enjoying Tennessee. Keep up the good work!

[@Thercgeek]

Thanks man!

[@sendit_rc]

New review man,I like your format!

[@Thercgeek]

Thanks!

[@BillCranford]

Was happy to see you have about the same amount of elevator down trim as I do.

[@andysmith4394]

Mine set up so sweet I love the thing nice amount of power great flight envelope 🤙🏻🇬🇧🛩

[@SlowFlyer85]

Nice looking plane and great flight 👍

[@Thercgeek]

Thanks!

[@stefaneriksson7019]

Hey Chris nice review I have been flying my FMS Hawk now for 4 years such a great flying model, It has super scale looks to it, hope they get a v2 version out soon .. Get me one yes again..

[@jimburig7064]

Amazing lense work capturingg the beauty of flight. Powering the jet without combustion is incredible. All we need is a better battery.

[@nirlachman007]

Your videos are great Chris, you should do more of them :)

[@Thercgeek]

Thank you! I would love to be doing more. I honestly need to hire a video editor and that would help a ton…I’m just not sure where to go to find one.

[@tennriverluver3534]

I love the Hawk! My 70mm Freewing holds the club record currently at 163mph with a good tail wind.😀 It is a bitch to land perfectly however without going into the kangaroo hop.

[@Thercgeek]

Oh dang, that’s cooking!

[@notoo7]

Looks like you are getting the hang of the FPV too 😎👍 So tempted to get a Hawk.

[@Thercgeek]

Been working with my son for the air to air stuff. I love flying with him, it’s super fun!

[@steveblackbird5174]

Bae Hawks have always been great RC jet trainers as they're so well mannered. I remember flying an old (30 years ago now) Hawk with a massive .90 nitro ducted fan (with the obligatory tuned pipe) and it was a lovely flying model. Nowhere near the power of EDF's nowadays though. Awesome review Chris. If only it was in stock lol.

[@jetman899]

Love this model.

[@Airsally]

Hawks are great looking edf jets. I had the eflight BAe hawk. It was a yip stalling wing. I used reflex and a trick from you Dad. "Salt & Pepper" on the leading edge of the wing tip,just at the top curve of airfoil. I just used some sand glued a strip to the tip. Your dad told me they did this to the F-20 wind tunnel/ RC model he did for Northrop back in the day. It really tamed the tip stalling .

[@Thercgeek]

Cool! The “salt and pepper” on the F-20 model would have been “grit” which they used on subscale wind tunnel models to intentionally trip the airflow from laminar to turbulent flow along the model. It’s used to get the aerodynamics to mimic more closely to the turbulent aero of full scale aircraft. This would also help delay stall in your case since the air is tripped to turbulent, it’ll have more energy and remain attached longer (I.e. avoiding laminar separation).

[@userTJ39780]

I have the 50mm version from Arrows. Flies light and quick, no bad habits on a 3S 1500.

[@Thercgeek]

Cool!!

[@mrt10352]

I’m not gonna lie. This is one of the best flying 80 mm planes out there. I find myself choosing this plane to fly over and over again many times out (and I’ve had it for like 5 years now). FMS did an amazing job with this one. I don’t have the retract problems you had. Great review Chris. I had to change my tail to what they currently fly now, looks fantastic!

[@Thercgeek]

It is definitely one of the best 80s I’ve flown. Looks great too! Is the tail flash they’re flying now the more wavy looking flag design? Looks cool!

[@mrt10352]

@@Thercgeek yes, this anniversary one is cool but the wavy flag they sport now just blends better. Glad I changed mine

[@andrewfairweather1340]

Bit beyond my skill level at present but I do enjoy watching the rest of you guys fly these FMS Hawks. Looks and even sounds a bit like the real thing at range, once the fan noise becomes inaudible. All it needs is some smoke! Are there options for adding smoke systems on an EDF plane this size? Red, white or blue, obviously! Thumbs up from the UK Mr Geek. 😎✈👍

[@Thercgeek]

I think there are smoke pod type things which are essentially smoke bombs, but otherwise getting smoke coming out of the exhaust is a bit tricky with an edf.

[@RaGeRC]

It's funny that you posted this today because I just got in today the Freewing 70mm Version of the Red Arrows BAe Hawk. I heard all these Hawks usually fly pretty nice because of the wing design.

[@Thercgeek]

The configuration makes for such a great flying model!

[@dougcronkhite2113]

There's a reason almost every sport jet in recent years uses the Hawk force arrangements.. It makes for an incredible flying jet.

[@Thercgeek]

Yep!

[@SuperMagnum2011]

Thanks again RC .🇬🇧😎

[@NeedSpeedRC]

One of the best sounding jets.

[@Thercgeek]

It does sound really good

[@jcb6713]

nice look at the BAE...

[@alanshearing7515]

When I was living in Cypress, I had the pleasure of watching the Red Arrows training . This model brings back fond memories. Looks fantastic in the air . What would you recommend for first EDF ? . Great video Chris. Thanks for sharing.

[@Thercgeek]

For a first edf, the eflite or fms 70mm vipers are hard to beat. Fms just released an updated version of the viper which I’ll be reviewing soon when I can find the time.

[@alanshearing7515]

@@Thercgeek Great news , looking forward to that review. Thanks 🙏🏼.

[@rodinvillarosa2924]

​@@alanshearing7515 but if youre on a really tight budget, you might want to check out the ARROWS BAE Hawk 50mm edf , Im flying it on a 4s-1400mah is a blast! But after seeing this review I want to get this FMS 80mm edf 😊, you can tell i really like this airframe.

[@alanshearing7515]

@@rodinvillarosa2924 Thanks for the tip 👍, always great full for other people’s experiences.

[@captainmax573]

Zav from horizon says he loves this plane! i might get it. but im still neck deep in the prosses of repainting my Freewing F-14. i got the pollycryillic on and just waiting for time and good weather to prime it

[@Thercgeek]

This one flies really sweet!

[@RodsRcStuff]

The red arrows are ace. I have freewing version 70mm I think 🤔 or could be 80 i can’t remember

[@101sabre]

This is a good jet but the Freewing 80mm Avanti s is the best foamy out there, you might want to try a Freewing f-22 also. Thanks for the video.

[@davidgerlach1132]

Nice flight and review. At 3:58 why not nudge the battery forward?

[@Thercgeek]

It’s a large pack that needs to be pushed as far back as it can. So, I did that to get the cg where it needed to be. Pushing the battery forward moves the cg forward.

[@davidgerlach1132]

@@Thercgeek Also just curious. Do you prefer this 80mm Red Hawk over its big brother, the Freewing T-45 Goshawk 90mm?

[@txkflier]

Mine flies great, but I like the T-45 Goshawk better.. 🤠

[@Lozzie74]

Hey Chris, the Hawk desperately needs a gloss clear coat to look its best!

[@Thercgeek]

That’s fair 😊

[@Dangerousrobb]

Had a buddy let me fly his and it flew great. He gave it to me and I bound it to my transmitter without checking to see if any of the controls were reversed. Not making that mistake again! Her parts are in another hawk now RIP Harry

[@Thercgeek]

Oh no! Maybe another one is in your future?

[@Dangerousrobb]

@@Thercgeek I think so yea. I grabbed the Eflite 70mm F16 and that’s got me going for a while. The hawk did fly nice when I flew it.

[@Sluf7]

Well this came at the right time as have just acquired a ICDF Hawk in excellent condition composite Fuse and wing no other info not even make. The spec,s of your Jet gives me rough idea where to start. If it flys half as good as that one I be happy.

[@Thercgeek]

Cool! 😊

[@Sluf7]

@@Thercgeek The one I have is not far dimention wise 44 inch Wingspan and 54 inch long the down side is it weighs 6lbs as it is.... think an 8s setup might be the go. Have downloaded the FMS HAWK manual as specs etc be useful. Where is the fan in the FMS Hawk behind the trailing edge or between the LE & TE.

[@Thercgeek]

That sounds like the amd hawk possibly. Does it have a full flying elevator?

[@Sluf7]

@@Thercgeek yes it does am I assuming outa the States then

[@Thercgeek]

That is a long story with a design that originated from my dad his business jet hangar hobbies. Shortly after it’s initial release rampant copies were showing up everywhere. The reality is that it’s probably a copy, so, be sure to site the wings and double check there’s washout at the tip. If not, you can reflex the ailerons to help unload the wing tips similar to washout.

[@Truthstillmatters2]

How does this compare to the Viper 90?

[@Thercgeek]

It’s on par with it actually as they both are really sweet flyers.

[@daviddavids2884]

information nice. there are, however, two simple questions that need to be asked and answered, about Any edf system. [ in many cases, the use of scale-accurate air intakes is a Problem --- they are usually too Small. in this case, the higher-pitched component of the impeller noise might be a symptom. ] 1) is the cross-sectional area of the exit/exhaust equal to the Effective swept area of the impeller. 2) is the cross-sectional area of the air intake(s) equal to or greater-than that number. d

[@Thercgeek]

I hear you. I’m sure that the areas are most likely suboptimal in both cases and is the case with most all foam edfs on the market quite frankly. I don’t have any insight on the design processes of these companies, but when I’m designing my own and start with the inlet area first for the desired fan and go from there. That being said, that doesn’t mean the models don’t fly well as this one does fly quite exceptionally.

[@thedarkknight1971]

Excellent little craft... Why have Harry fly it when... Set up an FPV camera and goggles for that NEXT STEP in feeling like you're flying the plane! 🤔👍 😎🇬🇧

[@Thercgeek]

That would be fun!

[@williiamtorreselera9667]

Cual será su velocidad máxima

[@Thercgeek]

If I had to guess, this one is probably doing about 110-115mph.

[@TheCabledawg1]

Landed like a butterfly with sore feet.

[@embededfabrication4482]

looks like it could handle a camera on a HT maybe

[@Thercgeek]

I would think so

[@theflyer4916]

Is that flying field in TN?

[@Thercgeek]

Yep! It’s out at Cane ridge park.

[@theflyer4916]

@@Thercgeek ahhhh, great! I fly there too!

[@tombutler8800]

FMS BAE hawk or freewing A4?

[@Thercgeek]

Bae hawk hands down imo

[@Lozzie74]

The down elevator trim is needed because the stab has a lot of negative incidence. The Chinese designers still believe planes need this. Fast jets most certainly don’t.

[@allensrcadventures]

If its not the best, its damn close.

[@Thercgeek]

As a flyer, yeah it’s pretty darn good

[@cyborgbadger1015]

they look so much more realistic in slow flight imo

[@Thercgeek]

They definitely do!

[@gabrieldavies-clark6628]

Careful Nintendo doesn’t strike you for that little clip. They’ve been loosing their minds over it recently

[@DetoursRC]

Im kinda worried about sucking up grass clippings in the cheater at my grass field club.

[@Thercgeek]

A valid concern. I’d recommend putting a screen over the cheater. That’ll help considerably.

[@markusnachname1619]

It is NOT. Still a one piece wing 🤮 and then you have to fumble with a thousand connectors instead of one well installed socket with all connections alleady built in. 🤮🤮 This is from the last decade... or maybe even from the dinosaurs... 🦖 yet still luckily it has a stabilizer... ¿WHY? if it is well designed it does NOT need one otherwise it is allready a sh.... airframe... so well NOT done guys..

[@Thercgeek]

Hahahaha! Honestly, it all depends on what’s important to you. The question was more related to its flight characteristics, but I can understand about the connectors. Didn’t bother me personally and regarding the wing, I rarely take these smaller airframes apart once they’re together, so don’t mind the one piece wing either. Again, that’s just me.

[@markusnachname1619]

@@Thercgeek To be honest, I've tested one (without any stabilisation-gizmos) and it's fun to fly. But, don't tell anyone I said that 🤫

[@Thercgeek]

Your secret is safe with me! 😆

[@Fatpumpumlovah2]

Can u link to frame i had 2 one foam version and ine fiber 10 years ago and could never find another seller

[@Thercgeek]

There’s a link in the video description. 😊

[@Fatpumpumlovah2]

@@Thercgeek thanks on order with 80mm wemotec fan for more jet sound

[@billshepard6664]

@@Fatpumpumlovah2 The stock fan is awseome.