Official Freewing Twin 80mm EDF A-10 Thunderbolt II Super Scale V2 Thread

[GliderGuy]

Great…thank you, Evan. I can stop pondering, now.

-GG

[Fred26]

Hi, Got mine ordered, will be here Tuesday. Have V1 still in the box. V2 has many improvements.

[TwistedGrin]

I am having a hard time deciding on what livery and operation base to select....like the snake but then I also like the hog.....researching when this aircraft name changed from the A-10 Warthog to the Thunderbolt...the snake is pretty neat but I see that livery mostly when the aircraft is painted black. The sharks mouth is open which places the forward gun in a nice position for the graphic and is more recognized.....

The all grey aircraft does benefit with some coloration of the sharks mouth in red though......hmmmm

TwistedGrin

[Dmarks333]

I want to order graphics for my A-10 v2. What scale is it?

[Evan D]

I want to order graphics for my A-10 v2. What scale is it?

[OV10]

I am having a hard time deciding on what livery and operation base to select....like the snake but then I also like the hog.....researching when this aircraft name changed from the A-10 Warthog to the Thunderbolt...the snake is pretty neat but I see that livery mostly when the aircraft is painted black. The sharks mouth is open which places the forward gun in a nice position for the graphic and is more recognized.....

The all grey aircraft does benefit with some coloration of the sharks mouth in red though......hmmmm

TwistedGrin

Hello TwistedG,
The A-10’s official designation since day one is the Thunderbolt 2 with the nickname of Warthog. The naming was honoring the P-47 Thunderbolt because of the heavy armor provided in the airframe for pilot protection. Both birds could absorb a huge amount of damage and return home.
Regards,
Warbird Charlie

[e4dragongunner]

I want to order graphics for my A-10 v2. What scale is it?

Remember the stars and bars and the little details are already applied.

[GliderGuy]

Maiden plus 3 more at sunrise. The light bars/formation lights look soooo cool! I set it up per the manual…including the flap/elevator mix. With Admiral 6000s as far back as the battery straps allow and still hold the battery, the CG was a touch nose heavy…but only a tiny bit.

After lift-off, needed a few up trim clicks and a few left aileron clicks.

Glides in on final with no power to a touch down without any of the version #1 crow hopping tendency.

Immediately felt comfortable….Sweet flying bird!

Inverted takes a little forward stick at this CG.

LOL - Get you one! So honest in the air…my new favorite!

4:00 at mostly 60% power (a little hot doggin’) landed with 3.9V.



-GG

[TwistedGrin]

Started my assembly last night and have some observations:

Motor pod wire pull:
I would advise routing the motor and signal wires to the side and not through the existing wires pre-installed to the control board.

Wing ribbon connectors:
My connectors are really tight and required hemostat pliers to help remove them after getting them plugged in

Travel distance for Elevator, Rudder and Flap:
I needed to increase the travel rates of my servos to 115 in order to reach the high travel distance on my surfaces - have not tried moving the servo arm out to farthest hole yet

FreewingGuard Gyro:
I ordered the "Gyro" equipped model and find the stabilizer is still active in "Off Mode" for the rudder and nose wheel at a low rate and moving the incorrect direction. The Gyro manual states three modes and colors for its modes - I chose only two modes "Basic Gain Mode" LED Green & "Gyro Off mode LED White. Looks like white means not lighted? Hopefully will learn more today and report. (Confirmed with MotionRC / Gyro Off LED = No LED active)

Aircraft LED's
Magnificent

TwistedGrin

[GliderGuy]

I had to reverse a few channels in my transmitter…
Elevator, Rudder, throttle. This is not uncommon to have to do for a new model.

I took the motor power leads under the control board, as well. Lotsa room in the belly under the control board .

My rig is 6 ch, so removed the gyro mode and reverse leads that woulda gone to the RX. Gyro light stays GREEN.

Needed to trim a little off the bottom of the canopy front area to get it to close on top of the 6000.

-GG

[GliderGuy]

Nine flights today (sunrise and afternoon).

This bird is AWESOME. Cruising at 50% power plus a couple of high speed runs plus a bit of full power erobatics AND a 4 1/2 minute timer…landing with 3.8V…enough for a go around.

This power set-up is VERY good!

Admiral 6000 6S batteries. Such a “comfortable” bird to fly, yet it cuts up pretty good, too. Lands like a dream. No power on final and she glides in perfect.

Made a couple of not so good landings, and there was no hint of it starting to try to crow hop.

-GG

[GliderGuy]

Darn it…typos in my prior post, but it won’t let me edit it.
“Aerobatics” and “not a hint of a crow hop”

-GG

[Kelew4n]

Can someone explain the difference between the two versions? (9-blade and 12-blade)
Gyro is clear, but what are the advantages and disadvantages of the two drives?

Thanks in advance

[TwistedGrin]

Can someone explain the difference between the two versions? (9-blade and 12-blade)
Gyro is clear, but what are the advantages and disadvantages of the two drives?

Thanks in advance

I'll take a stab at this.....

Artificial Intelligence search provides the following:
" In the context of EDF (Electric Ducted Fan) units in RC models, 12-blade ED.F. units typically offer a more resonant and powerful sound compared to 9-blade units. The increased number of blades also contributes to more efficient airflow and a potentially smoother, more stable flight."

I concur with the sound:
The 12 Blade fan will produce a fatter sound and should make more thrust a lower RPM, Top speed should be lower but battery flight duration should be very comparable.

We have to consider the Inrunner vrs Outrunner motors:
However this may be all "Objectional" since the 12 Blade EDF version runs "Inrunner" motors while the 9 Blade EDF version run "Outrunner" motors. Usually the "Inrunner" motor runs higher RMP than "Outrunner" motor.

Perhaps the 12 Blade EDF is considered more efficient but there again we would need hard data of the fans flown and compared in the same plane, same field, same batteries.

My theory which can only be tested by having both versions tested with the same batteries at the same field...is the 12blade fan may have an advantage on grass field where there is a little power available to get the model rolling out off for takeoff/rotation.


TwistedGrin

[Alphonso]

The 12 blade inrunner in the A10 yields more power and potentially longer flights depending how you use throttle. But let's be clear here, the original outrunner 9 blade in the V1 was still overpowered when compared to pretty much every other stock edf available. Yes the 12 blade will get up off grass in a short distance at considerably less than full throttle, however so did the original 9 blade outrunner. Whatever you choose, it will suffice I assure you, it's just that you get even more with the full fat setup and it sounds better.
I have had the 12 blade in my V1 for some time and very glad I had 2 spare units to fit in it, but it wasn't needed, just very nice.

[Dmarks333]

Remember the stars and bars and the little details are already applied.

I appreciate the info......I'm in Airizona so I prefer Davis-Monthan Livery.

[Dmarks333]

Thanks........I failed to notice.

[Dmarks333]

Is anyone using SMC Batteries for the A-10 v2? If so.....which model?

[GliderGuy]

Is anyone using SMC Batteries for the A-10 v2? If so.....which model?

I’m using the Admiral 6S 6000 mAh batteries, so I can give you some tips to compare against the SMC batteries. Compare the SMC physical size. I had to shave a little foam off the bottom of the canopy to get it closed. I’ve pushed both batteries as far aft as I can and still have “some” Velcro strap around the end of the rear battery.

Even so, the front battery forward edge bumps the bottom of the canopy. If the SMC you are considering is physically bigger, they may not work.

The weight of the 2 Admiral batteries is the maximum to fly with. The CG is still a tiny bit nose heavy, but it handles great with this CG.

The 6000 batteries give 4:30 flight time with 50% cruise and some full power hot doggin’ as well.

A 5000 mAh should allow a reasonable flight time with throttle management.

Others who use SMC will chime in with more tips.

-GG

[Alphonso]

Is anyone using SMC Batteries for the A-10 v2? If so.....which model?

Until I learn otherwise, I'll assume the V1 and V2 both fitted with 12 blade 2150kv fans are similar enough in CG requirements and internal dimensions. From vids that certainly appears the case.
The SMC 5900 HV2 fits with no foam removal, straps in the middle, weigh 750g each.
CG at 10mm aft of stock V1 79mm. If the V2 marked position is also at 79mm then start there. However, if the models are pretty much the same except for the extra V2 bits, then I don't agree with Wes' suggestion to go on the mark or slightly in front. If the new V2 marks are at 89mm then yep, go there.