Part 3 Freewing F-14 Landing gear mods

Final upgrades and notes for the Freewing F-14 modifications. This takes it one step further using Eflite 25 46 retract units, Eflite 60-120 F4 U struts, and the Freewing F-18 nose strut.
Thank you to Raven Rock Machine and RC Informer.
Donations to the channel welcome @paypal.me/davidsnyder1601

[@planes4dayz815]

Man, where have you been! I have replaced 3 or 4 of my gear on my F-14! Thanks so much! Great video!

[@LiaoHenry0401]

My nose gear got the same issue, thanks for your video. I bought a new f14 nose gear but will get F18's next time.

[@LiaoHenry0401]

Your Fly Video?? Its mine kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKSbnHRjpbKZmZo

[@captainmax573]

Thanks man, I’m going to need this info for my broken retracts.

[@eqrc7587]

Great series on this David. I finally found your channel. There is. Dr. with your name and he kept coming up. Great video brother 👍🏻✌🏻🖖🏻

[@davidsnyder238]

Thank you! Hopefully it helps, I'm always looking for better stronger ways to make our life easier!

[@roachcoachhelis6387]

Great video brother very informative

[@paulbageman3988]

Nice work! Mine will get the same upgrade. Maybe even FW Mig 29 struts. They are longer but if fitted would look more scale.

[@marshallfamily01]

I have been following your mods on the F-14. Did you do the nose gear mod with the longer screws and the wooden plate inside the canopy? I am wondering if you simply replace the existing screws with the longer screws by just screwing in the longer nose gear screws and then cut an opening for them to come through the plastic sheeting that is on the inside of the cockpit hatch??? Thanks for your impute on this.

[@davidsnyder238]

Yes, I did do the nose gear mod witg the plate. I used 6x32 x2" screws. You will need to drill through from the mount up through the plastic piece in the cockpit carefully so the screws will all line up. Then install your wooden plate in the cockpit and screw the whole thing together. 😊

[@michaelrajca6043]

beautiful bird david

[@davidsnyder238]

Thank you Michael! Its taken a bit of a beating but what an incredible flying aircraft.

[@michaelrajca6043]

@@davidsnyder238 btw i used the stock retracts on the mains for the t28. i did upgrade struts tho and strengthen the stock ones. i had eflite aluminum ones but they were 85 degree ones. i did use the aluminum eflite for the nose with an aliminum strut also so it should be ok

[@davidsnyder238]

@@michaelrajca6043 when the stock mains wear out the 90 eflites are worth the extra money. I fly the 28 nearly every time I go out. I probably have close to a hundred flights since that gear swap and mod and its been flawless.

[@davidhanna4875]

Hey David, did drill out the retracts block to use a 5mm screw. I have the 90 wheels to the scorpion 90. Did you use a pin for the axle?

[@davidsnyder238]

David, yes i ended up drilling out the trunion block to accomodate the 5.1mm pins for the strut pin to fit. Also i used a longer axle that fit the wheels even though they were a little smaller in diameter and put a flat spot in it and they work fine.

[@SM-yr9kb]

Try trailing link gear really the best for grass

[@aerospacematt9147]

What motors do you have on it? Are they the Freewing 1950 kv motors from the MiG-29? I saw a video where someone HAND LAUNCHED this jet. Yes, you read that right. I just got mine, and I’d like to have the power to get off in 100 feet. Definitely not planning on hand launching it but I’d like the power!

[@davidsnyder238]

I have used the old 12 blade outrunners all the way through the 1900kv 9 blade. Those will get it off the ground in 100ft. The 12 blade inrunner thats in the mig and cougar will fly the crap out of the Tomcat.

[@aerospacematt9147]

@@davidsnyder238 Awesome! Did you need to get new ESCs or do the stock ones work?

[@davidsnyder238]

@@aerospacematt9147 you will need to upgrade to 100amp esc.

[@greghoff7303]

Could you have flipped the main struts 180 degrees so that the scissor links face rear and save cutting out foam?

[@davidsnyder238]

Yes, I could have easily. Although it would have been something else that sticks out aside from the wheel. On the real aircraft the scissor links face forward. Also i was considering putting something in to simulate the drag link also and wanted to see how much room there was. The amount of foam that needs removed is really minimal.

[@DronemanJoeRc]

nice job can you send me links for the plates and retract upgrades? thanks bud

[@davidsnyder238]

I get the plates from Dustin Holloman. The retracts are from eflte. I can send you more specifics in the morning!

[@davidsnyder238]

Droneman I apologize for the delay! You can reach Dustin either through messenger here: facebook.com/RavenRockMachine or here: [e-mail] Let Dustin know I sent you and if you have any trouble let me know and Ill try and reach out for you. The retract units themselves are Eflite model EFLG300 25 - 46 90-Degree Main Electric Retracts that have to be drilled out CAREFULLY to accommodate the larger strut pin. The struts are eflite EFLG520F4U 60-120 F4U Shock-Absorbing Strut Set. Good luck!

[@GTiR1080]

Did you find with the F18C nose gear it's harder to get off the ground? I replaced mine after a hard landing with the F18C strut and found it took ages to get airborne and when it did it jumped off the ground. I also found comparing the 2 that the F18 strut is a bit shorter.

[@davidsnyder238]

I didn't experience that problem when I made the swap. Did you change the F18 wheels to the F14 wheels? I seem to remember that taking care of the height difference but it was so slight I can't imagine it making a difference. The fan upgrade had mine off the ground in about 100' with no problem. If its jumping off the ground the CG might be a little off. Let me know!

[@GTiR1080]

I found the main strut itself being shorter than the stock tomcat one by probably nearly a centimetre. I did change the wheels over to. CG is still the same to. I'm thinking I'm going to try and space the strut up a little bit and see if that helps.

[@davidsnyder238]

@@GTiR1080 please keep me posted on your results! I like to know the successes and the learning experiences also!

[@GTiR1080]

@@davidsnyder238 yeh no worries. I have to do some strengthening to my main gears mount points before I fly it again. I bought it second hand off a friend of mine, I have only done 2 flights with it and first landing busted that piece on the stock nose strut from a bounce and second one was just a bit of a hard landing. Just a bit different to my A10 ha ha.

[@highdesertmisfitsrcclub2846]

So, in another words on top of the first Mod now spend another $300 dollars.. Boy did they get this one wrong. This will be my first $1100 foam plane.. Yikes

[@chrismitchell5260]

Would you be willing to make a couple of pins to sell I'm looking to do this mod for the mains

[@davidsnyder238]

Chris, I make the pins with a dremel at this point and just drill out the trunion piece in the retract. The eflite 60 120 replacement gear wire is what im making them from. Do you intend to drill out the trunion?

[@chrismitchell5260]

@@davidsnyder238 I'm not sure ....would drilling out the trunion be the simplest way for this mod

[@davidsnyder238]

@@chrismitchell5260 I ended up doing it to accomodate a full size pin. You will still want to change it from the factory pin to a stronger one for sure. Just make sure you drill it to the correct size and drill from the front of the factory hole back. Not the center of the hole or the struts wont seat against the retract correctly.

[@chrismitchell5260]

@@davidsnyder238 ok thank you

[@thomaspuma434]

David can I order these upgrades from you

[@davidsnyder238]

Thomas, the plate kits and battery trays can be ordered from Ravenrock machine, Dustin Holloman through Facebook. The main struts and retracts I ordered from Horizon. The nose strut came out of a freewing F18. If you have trouble reaching Dustin let me know.

[@thomaspuma434]

@@davidsnyder238 I guess I may join Facebook soon I would rather not maybe I can give him a call ?

[@davidsnyder238]

@@thomaspuma434 try emailing to this address. I can't find the phone number. [e-mail] if you have trouble let me know and ill do what i can to put you in touch.

[@thomaspuma434]

David is have tried to get a hold of him to get the plates for the reinforced landing gear i don't use Facebook I hope you can help me I have the new fuselage just waiting for this upgrade would greatly appreciate his phone number ty

[@davidsnyder238]

Thomas, email me @ [e-mail] i dont have a phone number for Dustin but I can probably get you in touch with him through email.

[@thomaspuma434]

@@davidsnyder238 [e-mail]

[@davidsnyder238]

@@thomaspuma434 Message sent

[@davidsnyder238]

@@thomaspuma434 [e-mail]