Official Freewing Twin 80mm/90mm A-10 Thunderbolt II Thread

[Hugh Wiedman]

Thank you! Yours looks fantastic as well. I just printed the DirtyDee cockpit and its waiting for winter to paint and install. I did install his thrust nozzles and they work really well.

I fly the 5300 SMC's. I wasn't sure about the 5900s size wise since i use my batteries across the fleet (F4, MIG. F22 and FW190). The 5300 are perfect and very light. BTW do you charge them to the full 4.35v or only 4.3v per cell?

I do charge them to 4.35 V per cell. The majority of my ESC's handled the HiV cells correctly, a few did not but reprogrammed those (mostly the Castle ESC's and 2 FW ESC's) and removed the low voltage cutoff if the ESC recognized them as 7 cell instead of 6. I started primarily using the standard SMC 6200's (weight 814gr) in most of my aircraft (except Mig), then went to the 6200 HiV (weight 848 gr). I did use the SMC 5300's, regular voltage (weight 684 gr) in a few including the Mig. Then tried the 5300 HiV (730gr) in the Mig. When the HiV 5900's (weight 740 gr) came out, tried them in the Mig, F4, F16, F18 and the A-10 and they worked outstanding (same weight as the 5300 HiV and 100 gr less than the 6200 HiV). Now I use those HiV 5900's in almost everything and sold off all my 5300's and most of the 6200's. I only use the HiV 6200 in my Corsair and Spitfire as they can use the extra nose weight. Saved 2 of the older regular 5300's for my SU-30 with dual batteries, though mostly use 2 HiV 4400's there.

My flying buddy has also primarily converted over to the 5900's as well. It is outstanding, you may want to try them out in the A-10, Mig and the F4. Size is 47X50X150, only a few mm larger than the HiV 5300 (44X48X150) and the same weight. The F-4/16/18 and A-10 really enjoyed the loss of some weight from the 6200's. The regular SMC 5300 is slightly longer and narrower at 43X43X160 but also 60gr less in weight, but Danny hasn't made those in a couple of years.

[Corsec]

I am trying to find a replacement pin that goes in the “knee” of the main trailing link gear. Mine is either bent or the gear frame itself wasn’t machined correctly. The left gear is smooth when flexing the right gear however would barely move. I discovered this while making the gear mod inserting a screw to pre flex the gear. I will have to drill out this pin as I’ve tried everything I can to get the pin out. Obviously I can order the whole mechanism but I like fixing things. Only I can’t seem to find a replacement pin. Any thoughts? It’s 2.5mm diameter with groove on the end for snap ring and 16.5mm total length.
thanks

[ElCid]

Agree with that!! BTW, your Arctic Thunder looks outstanding. Did the same with mine. Currently flying it on 2 HiV SMC 5900's each weighing only 740 gr.
Not to nitpick, but did you notice that Callie's graphic for the engine nacelles have Alaska backwards? I didn't notice at first, until my mother in law, who was born in Cuba, pointed out that Alaska was backwards (way to show up someone born here ). I sent Callie photographs and she remade them for me and it was a real pain removing the wrong ones. Seem to remember it was just one side though. This was a couple years ago.

Love the Dirty Dee Cockpit:

Thank you! Yours looks fantastic as well. I just printed the DirtyDee cockpit and its waiting for winter to paint and install. I did install his thrust nozzles and they work really well.

I fly the 5300 SMC's. I wasn't sure about the 5900s size wise since i use my batteries across the fleet (F4, MIG. F22 and FW190). The 5300 are perfect and very light. BTW do you charge them to the full 4.35v or only 4.3v per cell?

[Hugh Wiedman]

Flew my A-10 yesterday several times and i have to say its the BEST flying plane i have ever owned. It flies like a 60 size trainer if you want that or a fast mover once you put the coals to her. I am tempted to buy another one and leave it in the box just in case Motion moves on from it. The PNP is currently out of stock atm

Agree with that!! BTW, your Arctic Thunder looks outstanding. Did the same with mine. Currently flying it on 2 HiV SMC 5900's each weighing only 740 gr.
Not to nitpick, but did you notice that Callie's graphic for the engine nacelles have Alaska backwards? I didn't notice at first, until my mother in law, who was born in Cuba, pointed out that Alaska was backwards (way to show up someone born here ). I sent Callie photographs and she remade them for me and it was a real pain removing the wrong ones. Seem to remember it was just one side though. This was a couple years ago.

WRONG:



CORRECTED:



Finished Product:


Love the Dirty Dee Cockpit:

[Elbee]

ElCid, Beautiful repaint, Sir. I concur with your sentiment, as well, though I cannot imagine MRC 'discontinuing' this airframe for any reason. Best, LB

[ElCid]

Flew my A-10 yesterday several times and i have to say its the BEST flying plane i have ever owned. It flies like a 60 size trainer if you want that or a fast mover once you put the coals to her. I am tempted to buy another one and leave it in the box just in case Motion moves on from it. The PNP is currently out of stock atm

[Elbee]

Thank you. Best, LB

[Alphonso]

Alphonso, which 'straight' main gear struts and nose gear strut are you using? Best, LB

they are on the upgrade parts list for this plane on the Motion site. I'm using the stock nose strut.

[Elbee]

Alphonso, which 'straight' main gear struts and nose gear strut are you using? Best, LB

[Alphonso]

With the straight mains is that not all the same type?

Yes, reading back, my post should have specified that all straight is my preferred option. Changing to the optional trailing nose doesn't fix the issues that I think are caused by the stock mains.

[SanExup]

With the straight mains is that not all the same type?

[Alphonso]

SanExup, thanks for the reply. I am flying from a very uneven grass strip built on an old landfill. So landings will always be a matter of some luck but I still like to control everything down to the last moment when I have to deal with the undulations. I got two more flights in today after moving the control board so I could shift CG back to about 85mm. Tremendous difference. No crazy bounces. Stock landing gear setup for now. Nice nose high touchdowns. Probably will shift CG back a touch more as I get more comfortable with the plane. Both flights I focused on slow flight and approaches. I have to say I am truly impressed with the SMC LiHV 6200 batteries. Making 6:30 flights right now and landing with better than 50% remaining. Of course these flights are low throttle but I like what I’ve seen so far. I will definitely check out the youtube recommendation. Thanks again!

I know this is a late reply, but having flown this since release from grass, may have some sage words for you. You've found a slightly aft CG useful and could go back another 5mm with no issues. It will reduce the thrust induced nose down this model has as it rotates at stock CG.
I would buy the optional straight main gear as a matter of urgency. The scissor link mains cause it to steer like a shopping trolley on grass. It will swerve one way and then the other on grass. I replaced, tightened, trimmed until the cows came home with the stock mains, all to no avail. When I fitted the straight legs it became a new model. Another benefit is that if you touch down with too much of a vertical element and bounce back into the air, it will likely be more level and easy to go around. The well documented bronco bounce you will have read about is caused by the stock main gear and is exacerbated by bumpy grass in my opinion.
A10's can still fly if it looks like it's moving, so coming in flat and low will give more consistent arrivals. Lifting the nose and carrying an aggressive carrier approach and drop relies on a perfectly timed flair to not bounce. Easy with an F22, F4, Typhoon etc but a more traditional landing is better here and it sounds like you have that sussed.

The stock gear is not a true trailing link and the geometry of the landing gear changes as they move back and forth, this does not happen with a trailing link. So, even though some people suggest changing the gear so they are all the same type, I tactfully say I don't agree based on my success with the straight mains. edit, all straight is good, but all trailing not so good.

I hope this info finds you well and welcome to the club. This is a great model, fast, slow, tough and knife edges like a dream. Flies on lipos ranging 1.1kg to 2kg.

[Elbee]

spcboarder Welcome to Hobby Squawk. I have not read anything to suggest there will be an upgraded Freewing A-10. Best, LB

[spcboarder]

Hello,
I grounded my A-10 and would like to get a replacement for it.

1. As freewing is currently upgrading their 80mm EDF-models to the new 3658 2150KV motors, do you think there is a chance, they upgrade the A-10 anytime soon as well?
e.g. the 80mm MIG-29 is already upgraded.
2. If they do an upgrade, it would be great they'd upgrade the nose gear support (and basically the nose gear strut as well).

all the best!

[Corsec]

SanExup, thanks for the reply. I am flying from a very uneven grass strip built on an old landfill. So landings will always be a matter of some luck but I still like to control everything down to the last moment when I have to deal with the undulations. I got two more flights in today after moving the control board so I could shift CG back to about 85mm. Tremendous difference. No crazy bounces. Stock landing gear setup for now. Nice nose high touchdowns. Probably will shift CG back a touch more as I get more comfortable with the plane. Both flights I focused on slow flight and approaches. I have to say I am truly impressed with the SMC LiHV 6200 batteries. Making 6:30 flights right now and landing with better than 50% remaining. Of course these flights are low throttle but I like what I’ve seen so far. I will definitely check out the youtube recommendation. Thanks again!

[SanExup]

Corsec Welcome! Are you using the stock landing gear? What kind of a surface do you fly from? I have my CG at 88mm, I know other people who fly theirs at that CG as well. And the consensus is to change the gear so that all three are the same. I switched my nose gear to match the mains because I fly from rough.dirt.

Search ArthurRc on utube, he has a few FW A10 videos that are worth the while!

[Corsec]

Hello. I’m new to hobbysquawk and new to jets. Been flying RC since the mid 80s. I have enjoyed reading through this thread over the last couple weeks very much. You guys have done some great work! I maidened my new A-10 today. Wow I’ve got a lot to learn, thought I could fly anything. Set up airplane stock out of the box. Using SMC 6200s. Flew about 6:30. She flys like a dream, mostly. I definitely need to move the CG back. I was about 80mm. Going to try and get to 85mm without moving the control board.
I would really appreciate some pointers on landing this beast. I think I’m carrying too much speed on final so I will dedicate next flight to practicing landing configuration slow flight so I can get a better appreciation of the stall point. For the two approaches I shot on the maiden flight I was carrying about 40% throttle. Does this seem about right or should I aim for a higher angle of attack on decent with more thrust? I never felt like I got into a good nose high decent. I’m a real world CFI so feel free to throw technical jargon around but I would sure appreciate being talked through a landing if someone has the time. If this is the wrong place for this please point me the right direction.
Thanks!

[t01ga]

T1, Nice work on the "DD" Cockpit, Sir.

Is that a Max Grueter Jet Pilot?

Lookin' good, regardless.

Best, LB

Thanks LB. The pilot is from Real Model Pilots.

[Elbee]

I got the answer, 81g. My DirtyDee 3D printed cockpit weighs 196g.

T1, Nice work on the "DD" Cockpit, Sir.

Is that a Max Grueter Jet Pilot?

Lookin' good, regardless.

Best, LB

[t01ga]

I got the answer, 81g.
My DirtyDee 3D printed cockpit weighs 196g.