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

[Aros]

Sky Wolf, you're such a positive guy! One day I'd like to buy you and your son a lemonade and chocolate whatever-the-heck-that-was.

I'd like to invite myself to that! He looks like one fun, personable guy I would like to meet! Congrats on the successful maiden Dave!

[T-CAT]

I was going to use a Castle CC BEC (10A, 25V) hooked to a separate 2-cell li-po to run everything but the fans. Are you saying that I shouldn't use it? There is at most about 2 amps ever. Can I use a CC BEC 2.0? Or should I go all the way to a CC BEC PRO? What do you mean by "headroom"?
Thank you.

Hi bcrc. By headroom, I just mean it's always good to play it on the safe side with electronics and have a higher available continuous output current rating than needed. The Castle BEC 1.0 is stated to have 7A of continuous output current if used on the 2S input voltage that you said you will have it hooked up to. If you're using the stock servos, it's important to use have the BEC set to 5V output to the electronics. Although these stock servos are digital, and most aftermarket digital servos do well on higher than 5V, these were likely designed for 5V output, not anything above that for longevity and reliability. You may run the risk of destroying the servos in quick manner, and on a $800+ jet (that's conservative after considering adding your LiPo's, receiver, telemetry, etc.) that's an expensive risk.

Assuming Castle is correct on their published specs. (and they unfortunately don't provide full specs for every scenario of input and output voltage, as the continuous rating is dependent upon those two factors), having the BEC hooked up to 2S input voltage, the BEC 1.0 (the one know as the BEC 10A) has a 7A continuous output rating, the new BEC 2.0 has a 11A continuous output rating, and the BEC Pro has a 15A continuous output rating. The BEC 1.0 at 7A continuous when using the separate LiPo you're choosing is likely enough headroom, and it's lightweight too. However, on a jet this size, I wouldn't worry a bit about the small extra weight or size of something with a bit more piece of mind that has the higher continuous output like the BEC Pro or another BEC of your choice similar to it. If you were hooking the BEC up to 6S input voltage (like when soldering it to one of the ESC's power leads), I personally wouldn't feel comfortable with the BEC 1.0 at a 5A rating since it's already being taxed more with the higher input voltage and therefore lower continuous amperage rating. When a retract gets stuck, frozen servo, etc. occurs, a little higher available current output on the BEC is nice to have and safer. A nice happy medium is the BEC 2.0 for its still lightweight and compact nature, yet slightly higher continuous rating, especially at the low 2S input voltage you're using. Then again, the BEC 2.0 is brand new and not sure if any kinks have yet to be worked out, as that would be my only worry.

[dahawk]

Sky Wolf, you're such a positive guy! One day I'd like to buy you and your son a lemonade and chocolate whatever-the-heck-that-was.

Good maiden and nice landing, Dahawk, I'm envious of your field and the group of guys you fly with. 'Seems like a fun group! The best part of this hobby is hanging out. I like your livery, also. Callie?




Reminder for everyone to test the glide ratio on this bird while clean, and then again while dirty. One or two clicks of throttle can help keep the aircraft level and descending slowly. That's the kind of approach I like for a no-bouncer. I barely use any elevator except for the flare at the very end.

Thank Alpha,

I'm also a huge fan of "The Flying Ant" vids. Always upbeat and entertaining.

We do have one of the best kept grass fields in North Texas and a nice group of guys who don't take themselves too seriously. With the summer prevailing winds coming from the South, we have learned to handle crosswind.

I did use a combo of decals from Callie, the kit itself, and printed out Pat's ordinance decals. Still not 100% finished. Screwed it up a little in my impatience to get airborne. One hour of build time and 6 days of decal time. LOL Just kidding.

Indeed, I should have been issued a DUI for the take-off roll.- HA. I have since toned down the nose wheel/rudder action on my mid rates. With taxi time, I got about 4 minutes with the 5800 RT's and they registered at 3.75 v/cell .This being a trim flight, I don't think I even got to 3/4 throttle so I now have my timer set at 3.5 min just to have some reserves in the tank.

Salutations for all the hard work from you and the MRC team that went into bringing out this fantastic airplane. Winston Churchill would have said: "This is your finest hour !" We owe you a shot of 12 year old something !

Cheers,

Hawk

[zorkahn]

Based off the Mibo turbine version I used as my reference for this livery I would say the NO STEP decals are about twice the size they should be. Reduce them by 50% and that should work good. I will send Callie an email tomorrow and knowing her she will fix the issue in no time flat. I put two NO STEP decals on the port inboard leading edge and I stopped after that knowing they were too large. When I think about all the custom decals I've had Callie do for me through the years it is mind boggling to me how close she is on sizing. I would expect her to be off WAAAAY more than she is and that is a true testament to her skill.

I love painting and detailing but I get to the point I just want to stop obsessing and start flying. LOL

Hi Guys,

If you look at the closest A-10 in the photo and zoom in on the "No Step" on the wings they look fairly large. I used the Motion "No Step" decals over Callie's for the same reasons that you all have stated. But then I came across this photo.

Mark

[downwindleg]

Fantastic job Aros!:Cool: It turned out great especially with those graphics. Great job by the way on 'threading the needle' when landing your A-10.
Brent

What he said ! Brad

[RCjetdude]

Hi Guys,

If you look at the closest A-10 in the photo and zoom in on the "No Step" on the wings they look fairly large. I used the Motion "No Step" decals over Callie's for the same reasons that you all have stated. But then I came across this photo.

Mark

I noticed the same thing but in a different photo so I ended up using Callie's on mine. Markings change/vary over time and version of plane so what works for one may not work for another. It just depends on how close you are trying to get to the original.

[T-CAT]

I have to say, after looking through this thread and the modifications thread, it's so impressive to see all the talented modelers out there who have done an incredible job customizing their plane to their liking. It's so much fun to read and see pictures of all of it. What a great bunch of people! :Cool::a10

[ColtPilot]

Here's another Texas A-10 maiden.

How did you come up with the Red Devils graphics placement? The ones on the inside vertical stabilzers are for the front nacelle covers.

[Dlxpkg2000]

Very Nice work, Aros....Once again, we have IDENTICAL Jets....LOL. I added the additional WHITE graphics from "Callie", but did not add the Red,White & Blue circle decal. Didn't get it ? I was able to get a set of weapons decals from "crxmanpat", and got those on. Soon I'll get some updated photo's for ya'll to drool on....LOL . Best of Luck on Maiden, if you haven't already done so. (p.s.- lost my HSD F-16 @ JetJam, so we only have 1 identical model.....!)

[Aros]

Very Nice work, Aros....Once again, we have IDENTICAL Jets....LOL. I added the additional WHITE graphics from "Callie", but did not add the Red,White & Blue circle decal. Didn't get it ? I was able to get a set of weapons decals from "crxmanpat", and got those on. Soon I'll get some updated photo's for ya'll to drool on....LOL . Best of Luck on Maiden, if you haven't already done so. (p.s.- lost my HSD F-16 @ JetJam, so we only have 1 identical model.....!)

Thanks! Yeah I paid for some extra decals that I noticed the Mibo turbine had (with the Arctic Thunder livery) such as the red/white/blue circular decal as example. Have about 95% of the decals put on but there's some nomenclature and symbols I just don't know where the heck they go? lol...

Yep maiden was great! Have a few sorties under her belt now. Love this jet!

Sorry to hear you lost your HSD F-16!! Ouch!! What happened??

[Dlxpkg2000]

Bled off too much airspeed heading into the 15 mph plus headwind on landing approach, and she pancaked into the runway. While trying to save her, the wind hit her and she rolled back, head over heels, landing nose first into "terra-firma". Can you say "FOAM-SALAD"? Haven't decided whether to replace her or not. Want to wait & see what our friends @ Freewing/MRC have up there respective sleeves.....!

[Aros]

Oh I would have been sick to my stomach!! I'm sorry man, ugh. I was always so stressed flying mine. So big and heavy, I wasn't used to anything that size for an EDF. I would always exhale in a huge sigh of relief whenever she landed successfully, and a fist pump of joy when I would grease her, lol. I never did really put her through her paces as I was always too nervous. I need a very large, open and FLAT area with no obstructions to fly that big girl. I still can't believe I maidened and flew it a couple times at the local junior high school.

[RCjetdude]

Bled off too much airspeed heading into the 15 mph plus headwind on landing approach, and she pancaked into the runway. While trying to save her, the wind hit her and she rolled back, head over heels, landing nose first into "terra-firma". Can you say "FOAM-SALAD"? Haven't decided whether to replace her or not. Want to wait & see what our friends @ Freewing/MRC have up there respective sleeves.....!

Sorry to hear Jim. I would like to know too..... the silence if deafening! I am rooting for a 80 or 90mm A-4. We need (or should I say "I need") a well made Scooter or Bantam Bomber!

[dahawk]

How did you come up with the Red Devils graphics placement? The ones on the inside vertical stabilzers are for the front nacelle covers.

Thanks,

I'm busted. Never said I would conform to scale. I screwed up the Red Devils lettering going directly over the pitch fork. Was too late to change. The Red Devils don't have the sharks teeth grille either. Sorry for not being compliant. I placed the emblems on the inside of the V-stabs cause I thought it looked naked and needed some color. Maybe the USAF will listen to me on this. LOL Heck, I'm a Navy guy anyway. Where did you get the nacelle covers? I didn't see them in the kit. LOL

Hawk

[ColtPilot]

Thanks,

I'm busted. Never said I would conform to scale. I screwed up the Red Devils lettering going directly over the pitch fork. Was too late to change. The Red Devils don't have the sharks teeth grille either. Sorry for not being compliant. I placed the emblems on the inside of the V-stabs cause I thought it looked naked and needed some color. Maybe the USAF will listen to me on this. LOL Heck, I'm a Navy guy anyway. Where did you get the nacelle covers? I didn't see them in the kit. LOL

Hawk

Home made from the fabric store and a little stitching. I'm a Navy guy to, retired. More curious than anything. No harm.

Tim T

[Aros]

Thanks,

I'm busted. Never said I would conform to scale. I screwed up the Red Devils lettering going directly over the pitch fork. Was too late to change. The Red Devils don't have the sharks teeth grille either. Sorry for not being compliant. I placed the emblems on the inside of the V-stabs cause I thought it looked naked and needed some color. Maybe the USAF will listen to me on this. LOL Heck, I'm a Navy guy anyway. Where did you get the nacelle covers? I didn't see them in the kit. LOL

Hawk

No worries, none of us are entering ours in a Top Gun static competition as far as I know. LOL

It's just for fun and whatever you like! Hyper scale, semi scale, or fantasy scale! It's all good!

[Helmsman52]

Yay I received my A-10! I hope nothing is broke by the damaged package.

[Aros]

You should submit those photos to our Support team here. We track any significant shipping damage customer's submit to us. Hopefully the contents are okay. If not definitely give us a call.

[Helmsman52]

You should submit those photos to our Support team here. We track any significant shipping damage customer's submit to us. Hopefully the contents are okay. If not definitely give us a call.

Thanks Aros! I'll check everything out this evening and in the meantime I'll send the pics to the link you supplied

[Aros]

Good deal. Just tell 'em Aros sent ya. LOL