Freewing F-8E Crusader 64mm

64mm Freewing F-8 Crusader (PNP)
The F-8 Crusader is revered as “The Last Gunfighter” because it was the final American fighter designed with guns as its principal armament. First flying in 1955 before playing a pivotal reconnaissance role in the Cuban Missile Crisis and serving with distinction in Vietnam, over 1,200 aircraft were built across many different variants. Revered as a “MiG Master” for its speed and lethality with both its guns and Sidewinder missiles, the F-8 Crusader earned a 19:3 kill ratio in air combat during the Vietnam conflict and went on to faithfully serve the US Navy and Marine Corps for three decades, even serving as a testbed platform with NASA to spearhead innovations that continue to impact modern aircraft design to this day.

Freewing and Motion RC are proud to present our rendition of the F-8 Crusader! Continuing the popularity of our Freewing Stinger 64, F9F Panther, and F-22 Raptor, the F-8 Crusader reintroduces our 64mm “Park Jet” series to pilots seeking standoff scale appearance of rarely modeled aircraft in an affordable and easy to own package.

The Freewing 64mm F-8 Crusader is designed to be an ideal first hand launch EDF, for novice pilots wanting to learn how an EDF jet handles versus a propeller driven model aircraft of a similar size. The Crusader’s high wing and ample thrust give the model good stability, even at low speeds. Assembly is straightforward, and using only two servos minimizes weight, complexity, and cost. The F-8 Crusader is configured to be flown using a radio that has Elevon mixing, as each side’s aileron and elevator surface are connected together. The model’s low wing loading and manageable slow speed handling in the landing pattern negated the need for a heavy and costly variable incidence wing. The battery bay can also accommodate a small gyro for additional stabilization.

Powered by an efficient 64mm 5 blade EDF fan unit, 30A ESC and 2627-4500kv brushless outrunner motor, the Freewing 64mm F-8 Crusader reaches a top speed of 110kph/68mph on an inexpensive 3s 1000mAh-2200mAh lipo battery with XT60 connector. While designed with simplified flight control surfaces and intended for hand launches and belly landing on grass runways, an optional landing gear set is sold separately for steerable operation on paved runways.

Being optimized for low cost doesn’t mean this Crusader lacks in scale appearance. Tired of generic looking mini EDF trainers? We believe even new pilots to the RC Flying hobby still appreciate the scale factor and historical pedigree of a tried and true warfighter, and the Crusader delivers top marks in its class. An accurate livery depicting Fighter Squadron VF-162, “The Hunters”, USS Oriskany 1968, is factory applied with low sheen waterslide decals, and the overall dimension of the model is true to scale, down to the asymmetric fuselage blisters, iconic gun ports, and silver painted leading edges. The livery we selected honors the aircraft flown by Commander Richard M. Bellinger, in which he was the first US Naval aviator to shoot down a MiG-21.

Earn your wings with this low cost and high value EDF jet, the Freewing F-8 Crusader!