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

[ColtPilot]

Dear all,

I’d like to get a bit more robust on the energy input of my A10. On these kind of beasts I would usually go for a dual power supply. This is my first 6S plane and I just discover the problem is not as simple as I am used to. The A10 is running on a UBEC supplied with it. I was thinking buying another UBEC/SBEC to go on the other power line and then a dual power switch. Before doing so I wonder if any of you would have gone through such modifications and what would be your experience with this?

Cheers.

Manu

Going on 4 years on mine with no issues on original power system. It is robust and have a lot more extras on mine than most. I did go with all oleo struts. Use everything from 5000 packs to RT 6250's with plenty of get up and go on the stock 80mm set up. I'm at an eighth inch behind CG for a good flair. The weight is 13.5lbs. Hope this helps.

[Manu-B]

Dear all,

I’d like to get a bit more robust on the energy input of my A10. On these kind of beasts I would usually go for a dual power supply. This is my first 6S plane and I just discover the problem is not as simple as I am used to. The A10 is running on a UBEC supplied with it. I was thinking buying another UBEC/SBEC to go on the other power line and then a dual power switch. Before doing so I wonder if any of you would have gone through such modifications and what would be your experience with this?

Cheers.

Manu

[Elbee]

SI, Welcome to "The Squawk". I use colored electricians' tape. I have the multi-color 5 pack (red, green, yellow, white, blue) from your favorite home store. It is paintable. I used the white, but I also spray a matte clear over my models when I am finished, so that helps keep the tape in place. Best, LB

[crxmanpat]

I reuse the same tape so I don't have to repaint. A little of the snot glue provided in the kit (white tube) works great for reapplying.

[Samiam]

I just heard someone mention that paper backed medical tape is another good option, and easier to get paint to stick?

[ColtPilot]

Hey guys, replacing an aileron servo on my Freewing A-10 and need to replace the tape covering up the servo wires, what are you guys using for tape that will stay on over time?

I use scotch tape and paint over

[Samiam]

Hey guys, replacing an aileron servo on my Freewing A-10 and need to replace the tape covering up the servo wires, what are you guys using for tape that will stay on over time?

[crxmanpat]

So I only use the Micro Set after applying decals. This helps the "snuggle down" to the foam. Afterwards I usually spray a few coats of clear to seal everything. My go-to for this was Testors (Dullcote and Glosscote), but it's all getting hard to find now. Otherwise it's Krylon 2X Clear Matte.

[Manu-B]

Manu,

Yes, Micro Sol and Micro Set are compatible with these planes. I have been using it for years.

Many thanks for such a fast answer! I’ll get the ball rolling then. I think all my initial decals (for the ones remaining :) ) have suffered slivering...

Manu

[crxmanpat]

Manu,

Yes, Micro Sol and Micro Set are compatible with these planes. I have been using it for years.

[Manu-B]

Dear all,

This thread is full of resources and input! Like it. Thanks for all the great input. I just received my 80mm A10 2x weeks ago and could fly it the past 2x weekends for 4 flights. Wow & what a great plane to fly at the field! Awesome.

I had bad experience with part of the first waterslide decals I applied with them falling off the aircraft at the first takeoff. MotionRC EU quickly and kindly sent new ones to my house: well done Pete @ customer support!

Now I would like to do things properly and I have bought the Micro SET and Micro SOL formulaes. Just wanted to confirm with you that these products will be compatible with the paint & foam of my A-10. I only found 2 posts hardly speaking about these product in the search engine of this thread and would not like to mess up with this beautiful bird!

Many thanks & best regards,

Manu

[starcop]

Brother Hugh I am with you. Still rocking the old outrunners on my A-10 and have no desire to upgrade. Like you, love the whine and the performance is just fine. As for inrunners, just assume every single Freewing jet we've carried will be coming out with a High Performance (inrunner) version to replace the outrunner version(s). I myself, as the man who publishes the product pages, doesn't even know ETAs until a directive is sent to me. So as a customer I am often flying just as blind as anyone else, lol.

You do such a fabulous job with your explanations of products Aros! For you to explain an event or phenomenon is to identify its cause is exceptional. Almost like you can go into a mode others cannot. Great job, buddy! I'm reading again, I love the English language. Sometimes I wished I'd had their accent. Such a charmed company!

[Griffon Wings]

thank you GG , I personally never used, beside recently as you know , i never lost a plane in the air , i will look over those for sure.
Thank you for sharing !

[GliderGuy]

Thank you will check into this,

Here is a current link to the ferrite RF chokes. You will appreciate the variety.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00V4MMIBW...0DWYTPTEY0BYM7

Hugh is a good man for suggesting these. I lost a A-10 twice and an F-4 before adding these RF noise filters. I have not lost a HIGH CURRENT ESC bird since I started using them (loss due to loss of control that is). Search the forums for the words ferrite or RF choke or for my posts for info how/where to install them.

Note: Statistically significant: 2,000+ flights on an AL37, 1,000+ flights both on a MiG-29 and F-4 with RF chokes and no radio issues. Lost an A-10 twice and an F-4 once BEFORE using RF chokes. For a light, easy, cheap addition....I am convinced of their value. All losses were FAILURE to respond...lawn darts. All it takes is for the binding/handshake lookup table communication to be disrupted by RF noise and in you go. These radios are resistant to but not totally immune to system RF noise. I am pretty sure some of the MiG-29 losses that were not caused by flying fast with flaps down are due to not having installed RF chokes.

2nd A-10 loss was total (1st crash was repaired) ....haven’t gotten another, YET.

Working on AL37 #3 after hitting a lamp post with new AL37 #2. RF chokes don’t suppress pilot error. I retired AL37 #1....wore it out!

ALWAYS keep blue sky between the plane and ground obstacles, and you won’t hit them! Don’t do this and watch foam pieces flutter earthward. UGH!

-GG

[Hugh Wiedman]

Aros thanks for the insight. I do appreciate the fact that MRC is doing their best to upgrade and stay ahead of the curve. You guys are definitely the gold standard as far as I'm concerned so this wasn't a knock on MRC by any means. We could see it coming when the question of outrunners vs inrunners was introduced some time ago and it's nice to know that you listen to your customers and act on it. Now if we could just get some huge EDF's with 10 minute flight times, I'd be in 7th heaven. No doubt it will happen in the future. Look how far foam EDF's (actually all foam aircraft) have come just in the last 5 years. What a great time for this hobby!

[Aros]

Brother Hugh I am with you. Still rocking the old outrunners on my A-10 and have no desire to upgrade. Like you, love the whine and the performance is just fine. As for inrunners, just assume every single Freewing jet we've carried will be coming out with a High Performance (inrunner) version to replace the outrunner version(s). I myself, as the man who publishes the product pages, doesn't even know ETAs until a directive is sent to me. So as a customer I am often flying just as blind as anyone else, lol.

[Hugh Wiedman]

Heard a rumor (Facebook MRC customer community) that the A-10 and F-14 are now coming with the 80mm 1920 kv inrunners that are in the Mig. I don't believe everything I read, especially from those outlets, but that makes sense.

Seems MRC likes to upgrade the EDF's a couple months after I get an aircraft! Happened with both my F-4s, my F-16, and my F-18! And maybe now the A10. Already upgraded the others with the bank account breaker 90mm 12 blade 1835 kv inrunner (but what a great fan-go powerful and expensive or stay home). Including new afterburner cones for each and the fans I coulda got a Mig with all the extras. The A10 is staying pat with the "old" outrunners, kind of like the whine in this bird, as IMO, it has plenty of power as is and I already get 5 minutes on 2 RT 6250's, so if it ain't broke, I ain't fixing it.

[Gringotuerto]

1 - Set up by the book (about 5mm of "up" for neutral).
2 - Factory rates are good, adjust to your liking after maiden.
3 - The ordnance decals are available from me. I still have some sets available, $5 per set. PM me and I'll give you the ordering info.
4 - Yes, you can measure near the fuse. The book CG of 78mm is nose heavy. Most of us have it between 85-90mm.

In case it helps, attached are a couple photos of balanced elevator, and I think the CG on this model is about 85mm. Also, I would recommend starting with lower throws than in the manual. A lot of Freewing/Flightline models have what I would consider high throws (at least for a maiden flight) in the manual. You can always go up if you find it too tame, but if you find it too erratic it might be your last flight.

[jseese]

1 - Set up by the book (about 5mm of "up" for neutral).
2 - Factory rates are good, adjust to your liking after maiden.
3 - The ordnance decals are available from me. I still have some sets available, $5 per set. PM me and I'll give you the ordering info.
4 - Yes, you can measure near the fuse. The book CG of 78mm is nose heavy. Most of us have it between 85-90mm.

Sent you a PM, thanks!

[crxmanpat]

Just finished assembly of my A-10 and waiting till spring for the maiden. I do have a few questions:

1 - Elevator: do I need to do anything to adjust or set the angle or is the factory setting good and just set my rates from there?
2 - Are the high/low factory rates good to start with?
3 - Where are people getting the decals for the ordnance (not the stripes but the text nomenclature)?
4 - the manual shows the CG way out on the wings, can I measure closer to the fuse?

Thanks and any other tips prior to maiden please feel free to share :)

1 - Set up by the book (about 5mm of "up" for neutral).
2 - Factory rates are good, adjust to your liking after maiden.
3 - The ordnance decals are available from me. I still have some sets available, $5 per set. PM me and I'll give you the ordering info.
4 - Yes, you can measure near the fuse. The book CG of 78mm is nose heavy. Most of us have it between 85-90mm.