Freewing A-6 receiver and CG suggestions...?

[jasmith41]

seems like a lot of the veteran rc guys on here like SMC batteries. i've got just about everything else but those. i'm liking the roaringtops the best for overall performance and they seem to give longer flight times than the same size and rating by others...

[gazza]

My v1 A6 is now flying great after changing out the elevator servos. Very smooth elevator up and down now compared to old nylon geared servos. After looking at battery placement pics mine is a 4000ma battery placed about a inch under the lip of the nose and gives me a cg right at 285mm. I also replaced the old metal fan with the plastic 9 blade 1920 in runner. Not sure if that changed battery placement to get cg but it seems to work

so with your lipo so far fowards how do you hold it in place please ?

[Bsmith44]

Thank you!! Just needed a place to start. Plus I like using exactly what works for someone else

[Evan D]

There are more than a few that work, shop comparing weight and dimensions. A few of the ones I have and use are the power hobby 5000 100c (don’t believe the c rating) small and light @575g,
the power hobby 5200 50c @645g and hobby star 5200 45c @640g. But there are others.

[Bsmith44]

I love mine (first edf!) but would love to run a bigger battery for longer flight times. I’m running a 12 blade fms edf and I’m using a 4000mh admiral 40c. What brand are the 5200 that are used and did you modify any compartment space?

[Ron1950]

i was really supprised evan

[Evan D]

Great report!

[Ron1950]

My v1 A6 is now flying great after changing out the elevator servos. Very smooth elevator up and down now compared to old nylon geared servos. After looking at battery placement pics mine is a 4000ma battery placed about a inch under the lip of the nose and gives me a cg right at 285mm. I also replaced the old metal fan with the plastic 9 blade 1920 in runner. Not sure if that changed battery placement to get cg but it seems to work

[Ron1950]

Guys i want to change out the old elevator servos with metal gear servos. Are both servos in the elevator compartment standard or one standard and one reverse? Thanks

[Ron1950]

i bought mine used about 8 years ago ,, used and wasent ready i thought to fly it .. tryed to sell it once but when the guy picked it up the nose gear fell out lol.. kinda puts a bad taste in his mouth and decided not to buy it ,, its sat collecting dust in garage for about 6 yrs and then i tryed to fly it and the nose gear just didnt work out ,, put it on the bench and found the steering arm set scew was not able to set on the pin flat spot so when it turned it stayed easy fix just had to grind down the stering arm to fit the retract pin flat spot friday it will fly or die!!!! I NEED THE SPACE

[SanExup]

I like seeing it with that nose color. Most of the A6s I saw flying as a kid were with that nose color. It's nice to see the model in a squadron livery that's different from stock or what's typically used. Even the grey looks better than stock, maybe it's just the sun and nose color. It looks sharp!

I've seen HawkDrivers F16N and your Broncos but not the Rafale, I'll go check it out on RCG.

[Evan D]

Thanks. A friend of mine who is also ex .mil did it as one of his earliest paint projects. He bought the kit (no power plant or servos) and did it for me off pictures I had. He's Hawk Driver on RCG and has done some great work. I really like his Rafale repaint into military grey.

[SanExup]

Your A6 looks awesome Evan! It must be so cool to fly the plane and livery you worked on!

[Evan D]

The A-6 being bomber is not fast like a F-18, it's fairly easy to fly to. I don't have a gyro/ AS3X in mine but there are a ton of 6-7ch options. I use 5200 packs weighing 620-645g. Book balance.

Making it your own is a great idea. Here's mine done as they were when I worked on them in 1977-79. E models without FLIR.

[JDickerson2711]

R/C Intruder guys….the A-6 has always been my favorite. I’m a Naval Aviator who, unfortunately came long after the Intruder was retired. I want to buy one, but am still a little new to R/C. I currently own an EFlite Valiant, F-15, Flightline hand toss P-51D, and the Tophatter Super Hornet E. I’m running a Spektrum DX6e and definitely use AS3x and SAFE as a crutch/“Oh-$H*+” switch. I am pretty good at setting up my flight modes/rates/etc with all Spektrum/Horizon equipment. I can already fly the P-51 pretty well, both Stabilization on and off….the same with my e-flute F-15 64mm…..but, the Intruder (now, with a 6channel DX6e. Mind you…), and then hopefully, the Tomcat, when I upgrade to more channels and experience on my transmitter (the NX8 or NX10 is hopefully being purchased at some point)….I really want to pick this Intruder up and customize her to my DX6e….with a Spektrum rcvr in her. Questions: Can she be customized as far as decals/Squadron look/paint??? What are the best Spektrum receivers, etc, equipment she would be compatible with???? Batteries, ESCs….changing motors???? Any advice on this jet before I buy her would be appreciated. Again, I love Spektrum AS3x and SAFE mode, as a crutch, but love being able to switch it off. Also, paint, customization, decals, etc, are also important. Thanks friends!

[pbrstreetgang]

Gecko17,

Fantastic! I agree with you!

I’m also the same with my A-10...she flies fine with all the armament on the wings!

I've yet to maiden my OV-10...too windy here lately!

happy skies on your A-6 maiden!

[Gecko 17]

Right on...thanks guys. Your battery position is pretty close to what they have on the MotionRC video. You know, the dude that can't remember to grab his battery checkers...lol.

Yea, i don't like flying with bombs and tanks other than my Elite A10...because it looks so bloody cool with them.😁 I nearly dirt napped my Eflite F18 loaded turning base. That things with a 6000mah battery with flaps and gear down turns like a pig even clean. Flies very heavy with a 6000 but lucky to get 3 mins with a 4000. It's full flying stabs as well (terrible design on how they connect...widow makers) so... yea, familiar.

Cabling in this A6 is a bit wonky. They updated the power system but it's still very much a 2014 design. Could have done some things better. That damn spring for nose gear door is a nightmare! Wasn't installed by the factor, just hanging there...and now I know why! Brutal trying to get it on.

I've heard from more than a few folks that Freewing is notorious for giving bad CG recommendations. I just got the AL37 about a month ago and have 6-7 flights. Had to some playing around with battery placement to get a good balance. She is a beast but and a different world from the fighters I fly but I do love scale flying and she is all about the scale lol.

Hoping to maiden the A6 today.

Thanks gents,

[Evan D]

While I don't fly with tanks the CG should not be changed whether or not you have them on. The CG is based on the wing. Adding the tanks may mean you need to move the battery slightly to get the proper CG but the CG itself doesn't change.

[pbrstreetgang]

Hello Gecko17,

I’d highly recommend fly with clean (no armament or fuel tanks) until you are used to the flying characteristics. She’ll be a bit sluggish with that stuff on it...not to mention the center tank sits directly below the bottom engine air intake/vent...!

also, in my manual the CG is too far forward and very nose heavy and in my opinion and should be moved aft quite a bit. I suggest read all the A-6 threads to get a better idea.

see my attached pic as a reference...this works for my A-6...? Perhaps even a bit more aft...I tend to run my planes a bit nose heavy (note i CG mine w/out tanks installed).

also, the manuals full flap setting takes a getting used to...recommend ½ flaps until you’ve got some flights under you belt!

Be mindful of the full flying elevator...perhaps mid-rates or even low-rates...?

good luck!

[Gecko 17]

When you guys are checking your CG, do you have the Pylons on the wings and external wing tanks? I'm wasn't sure about even putting the pylons on the wings. Was planning on flying it clean. Kinda of thinking now that the CG is based on having tanks on. Dunno. These Chinese translated manuals are both frustrating and hilarious! Freewing needs to figure that out. EFlite manuals ar much better! And... measuring CG from the intake? Who does that! It should always be from the wing root!

Thanks!