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How would you rate the value of the product for the money?
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How difficult or easy is the product to assemble, use, or operate?
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How well does the product perform / function?
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“In my previous review below, I had said this model was a 'lead sled" and implied that the F-8 was nearly uncontrollable. Several fuselages later, I now know I was wrong. It flies well. My first review reported what happened when my setup was wrong. Here are the changes that made me happy to fly the Freewing F-8. I disconnected the ailerons and taped them. I put lots of throw on the tailevators. Less expo, maybe 20%. Clipped the ends off two round head sewing pins and stuck one under each wing at the proper CG location. At the field, I check the CG using my fingertips on the heads of the pins to get it right for batteries of different weights (tip from RC Groups). I avoid nose heaviness as much as possible by shoving the batteries all the way back and checking the CG before each flight. I use a gyro set for 50%, gain, turn it on for launch, and leave it on. IMO, a gyro is optional, but if my trim or launch are bad, the gyro pays for itself, saving the cost of another fuselage replacement ($34) and rebuild time. I make sure I’ve got plenty of throw on the tail, hit full throttle, point the nose higher than usual, and chuck it hard. It goes straight where I pointed and keeps climbing. Now It steers around like a trainer with reassuring stability and looks wonderful on low flyby or landing. Tip: Used fabric softener sheet (check your clothes dryer) and thin CA glue is a good way to reinforce the fragile air intake scoop on this model. If you work carefully, the nose and decals will still look fine. Cutout some small strips of dryer sheet and lay down a little collage around the intake, inside and outside, going back a couple of inches. To smooth the dryer sheet flat, use your fingers in a plastic sandwich bag (polyethylene doesn't stick to CA). Rub down more CA as needed to wet the sheet evenly and make it transparent. The decals won't melt and still look fine under CA/dryer sheet laminate.”
How would you rate the overall quality of the product?
Very Low
Okay
Very Good
How would you rate the value of the product for the money?
Very Low
Okay
Very Good
How difficult or easy is the product to assemble, use, or operate?
Very Difficult
Average
Very Easy
How well does the product perform / function?
Very Weak
Okay
Very Good
“I was looking forward to the Crusader but ended up with issues. While working with an expert on our maiden we could not get the plane to fly even though we were hand launching for a small hill. There was insufficient power. As it turned out the fan blade was broken - didn't know why but ordered a new one. Also to be safe I ordered the optional gear to allow a runway takeoff on a long club asphalt strip. Unfortunately they were back ordered, so a long wait ensued. The landing gear try was futile with insufficient power to clear the runway - only to discover another broken fan blade. Careful examination showed scraping on the shroud where the blade was mounted - it was out of round. Motion replaced it and the blade at no charge. but another delay since the shrouds were on back order. Finally we try again with a runway takeoff and again not enough power, but the fan blade held up. Out of frustration I went to a 4s. This time my expert was able to get the Crusader into the air (barely) and did 1 complete circle making right turns. After a figure 8 entering a left turn she had no turning authority and fell into the ground.The damage is repairable but not worth the trouble. I don't know if I just got a lemon or if the motor is weak but whatever I'll not try these small EDF's again.Motion has been an excellent vendor, and I have several other Freewing and Flightline models that fly wonderfully. I am much happier with the larger models and love my P-38, Tigercat and Spitfire.”
How would you rate the overall quality of the product?
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Okay
Very Good
How would you rate the value of the product for the money?
Very Low
Okay
Very Good
How difficult or easy is the product to assemble, use, or operate?
Very Difficult
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Very Easy
How well does the product perform / function?
Very Weak
Okay
Very Good
“The Freewing F-8 Crusader is a very accurate looking semi-scale model that is exceptionally well finished. It is as crisp and attractive as can be. In fact, it is so pretty you might want to buy one to hang from the ceiling instead of flying it. Seriously, that might not be a bad idea. After reading R/C Group forum posts about this model, I opted to reinforce the nose intake area with epoxy. In retrospect, I think that was a mistake, adding weight that made the wing loading even higher. Cracking the nose intake is the least of your problems, believe me. This thing is a lead sled. Fast, small, very easy to lose orientation. I recommend initial flights in a large open area (the Bonneville Salt Flats would be ideal) under perfect lighting conditions (avoid bright overcast) and with 20/20 vision. On the first flight, I learned that if the CG is slightly nose heavy it will not climb without sufficient up elevator travel. Full up, full power, I could barely climb enough to make a couple of big scary circles and then slide in for a fifty foot run on the grass. It looked exactly like I was dropping an aerial torpedo. Second flight, more up elevator, lots of expo. I am more or less steering it around like a guided missile for about 30 seconds. Control response is vague and mushy. Suddenly it spins down like a streak in a vertical dive. I'm a reluctant expert at reconstructing smashed nose sections using boiling water and gorilla glue, but everything forward of the wing is so hopelessly crushed I don't even think about it. IMHO, Motion would sell a lot of spare fuselages for the F-8 if they came with the canopy and were a bit cheaper. I guess I will put 3/4 of this beautiful airframe into the closet and wait. There might be a sale on spares when the F-8 is discontinued, or something might turn up on Ebay.”
“Not for the first time Jetster. First time launch was a complete disaster. Not sure what went wrong but after checking out the electronics 2 servos were bad. Total loss. Not going to buy this again.”
How would you rate the overall quality of the product?
Very Low
Okay
Very Good
How would you rate the value of the product for the money?
Very Low
Okay
Very Good
How difficult or easy is the product to assemble, use, or operate?
Very Difficult
Average
Very Easy
How well does the product perform / function?
Very Weak
Okay
Very Good
“This was my first EDF. First flight lasted about 2/12 minutes before I lost orientation on it. It gets small fast and even on low rate, it was super squirrelly. However, some good points:-Awesome detail and scale looks. This has to be one of FREEWING’s. best kits. -Fast shipping from Motion. Packaged well. - Very simple assembly and the quality of the model is top-notch. An awesome deal for sub $100. Cons:-Getting CG fixed was a pain and the batt compartment is cramped to begin with. It still flew nose heavy even after setting batt placement. -Crank up that expo and lower the rate. Probably 70%/50% Rate/Expo”
How would you rate the overall quality of the product?
Very Low
Okay
Very Good
How would you rate the value of the product for the money?
Very Low
Okay
Very Good
How difficult or easy is the product to assemble, use, or operate?
Very Difficult
Average
Very Easy
How well does the product perform / function?
Very Weak
Okay
Very Good
“The Crusader is (was) my first EDF. I was quite impressed with the paint/scale look of the jet and the quality of the model. Shipping was fast, and the model came packed very well. Some guys at the field liked it and mentioned that the earlier FREEWING models were cheap looking and—having just received the F 86 saber in the mail— I would agree as the difference in quality between this model and that are night and day. This is an awesome flyer for $98. Assembly was easy and very straightforward. The hardest problem I had was deciding where to put the receiver as you have to glue in the wing and you can’t get to it easily enough. I’m bummed I lost mine after the first 2 1/2 minute flight. This thing is super Squirrley and it gets very small very fast. I lost orientation on it once I got out too far and it crashed in the parking lot. That was the end of that. But for my first EDF experience, I was loving the crusader.”
