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

[Hugh Wiedman]

I'm was planning to convert my 80mm F.W. A-10 T'bolt to the 90mm nacelles and power...but I'm a little kornfuzed. Is it really worth doing? I remember seeing a few posts about doing this but not much detail...some say the 90mm's have more thrust with a 9 blade fan instead of the 12 blade fan??? I my 80mm fans are 9blade 1920kv. Originally I thought why not just put the 80mm, 2150kv 12 blade fans in and save the cost of the nacelles, 90mm fans, and larger ESC's? The only 90mm choice I can see are the 3668-1960Kv Inrunner but it's a 12 blade. I don't see a 1960kv 90mm for a 9 blade fan.I don't really understand the actual performance differences with the different size power packages. Can someone help me with this??? Right now it seems that I would be better off just putting the 80mm 3658-2150Kv brushless inrunner motors in the existing nacelles...or...possibly the 90mm 3668-1960Kv inrunner motors with 12-blades in the 90mm nacelles?...but then we get back to the benefits vs costs thingy? What I really want is more thrust; not more speed.
HELP

Thanks in advance,
Bill

IMO, the 80's are more than enough thrust. I exchanged my 80mm inrunners that came in my Mig 29 (that I upgraded with FMS 12 blade 80mm inrunners) and put those in replacing the original outrunners it originally came with. Tremendous improvement in thrust and efficiency and more than enough. 7-8 minutes on 2 SMC HiV 5900's and I fly off grass, still very short take-off runs without ever going to full throttle.

My flying buddy upgraded his to twin 90mm inrunners and it's just too much. Full throttle and the decals almost get ripped off in flight 🤣. He upgrades everything and this is the only one even he says is too much thrust, a waste of money.

Just my opinion tho

[Elbee]

billd3

Bill, There are 3d printing services available, though you'll have to check for prices.

You might try The RC Geek to see if he has the STL files or you can send those to him if he is still offering his 3D printing service.

https://www.thercgeek.com/

Best, LB

[billd3]

https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game...e-thrust-tubes

billd3

Dirty Dee has posted most of his Freewing A-10 goodies on Cults3D and some are free including his thrust tubes.

I have installed these on my Freewing A-10 and these work great. Check out all his designs there including ordnance, vents, pylons, cockpit.

Best, LB

Thanks Elbee...I've now registered on cults3d and I think I've down loaded the file...Now what do I do??? Forgive me but I'm new to this and don't have a clue about what to do. I do NOT have a 3D printer and my goal is to have a pair of exhaust tubes in the 80 mm size AND 90mm size that I can install in my A-10...Sorry to be such a PIA.
Bill

[Elbee]

https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/freewing-twin-80mm-a-10-thunderbolt-ii-scale-thrust-tubes

billd3

Dirty Dee has posted most of his Freewing A-10 goodies on Cults3D and some are free including his thrust tubes.

I have installed these on my Freewing A-10 and these work great. Check out all his designs there including ordnance, vents, pylons, cockpit.

Best, LB

[billd3]

Where can I get Dirty Dee's exhaust outlets for my 80mm A10?
Bill

[billd3]

I'm was planning to convert my 80mm F.W. A-10 T'bolt to the 90mm nacelles and power...but I'm a little kornfuzed. Is it really worth doing? I remember seeing a few posts about doing this but not much detail...some say the 90mm's have more thrust with a 9 blade fan instead of the 12 blade fan??? I my 80mm fans are 9blade 1920kv. Originally I thought why not just put the 80mm, 2150kv 12 blade fans in and save the cost of the nacelles, 90mm fans, and larger ESC's? The only 90mm choice I can see are the 3668-1960Kv Inrunner but it's a 12 blade. I don't see a 1960kv 90mm for a 9 blade fan.I don't really understand the actual performance differences with the different size power packages. Can someone help me with this??? Right now it seems that I would be better off just putting the 80mm 3658-2150Kv brushless inrunner motors in the existing nacelles...or...possibly the 90mm 3668-1960Kv inrunner motors with 12-blades in the 90mm nacelles?...but then we get back to the benefits vs costs thingy? What I really want is more thrust; not more speed.
HELP

Thanks in advance,
Bill

[Hugh Wiedman]

Had our annual 5 day Jets over Miami event. It was spectacular and the weather was outstanding. Only 2 electric EDF pilots, the rest huge expensive turbines. Only RudyD54 and me flying electric, but no issues. RC Chaser in his 3rd JOM video featured my 90mm TV Avanti @ 2:20 - 3:00, followed by my A-10 Arctic Thunder @ 3:00 - 4:20. More info on the event and pictures in thread "What did you Fly today"

[Alphonso]

If they come with straight struts as standard now, that's great. Should've been that way from the start. Not only will a slightly fast or bumpy landing cause it to bounce up level making go around a non event, it will taxi much straighter, before it used to handle like a shopping trolley on take off.

[RCAV8R]

Can you guys please confirm for me that the current issue of the A-10 comes standard with the oleo main gear? Originally they were trailing link and I purchased the upgraded oleos...I called support and they said that oleos are now standard, but I just wanted to hear that from you all! Thanks!

Rob

[Airguardian]

[Reptielenfreak]

I got my wife to help me out.

throttle up, plug battery in at the same time. Just counted 1 2 3 plugin waited for 2 beeps (fast after eachother) and then throttled down and voila

[JamieW143]

Good afternoon. I’m attempting to calibrate my motors, but I can only calibrate one. It seems to be the motor that is connected to the BEC, but I’m having a lot of difficulty getting the other motor calibrated. If anybody has any tips or ideas, it would be greatly appreciated.

[Reptielenfreak]

I fly on rough runway, a lot of bounces and bumps.
i got the trailer link nosegear and the main en nose wheel 3d printed braces and this makes the whole yet fool proof. I mixed up elevator with landing flaps making it go nose up smooth landings every time.

[RCAV8R]

Hi Andy…LB has great advice and is the Grand Daddy of this thread….he knows his stuff! I got my A-10 on the pre-release and like many of the first to fly it I struggled with bad porpoising on landing (I fly off asphalt). Many were complaining about it on this thread and to their credit, MRC quickly came out with oleo mains as an option. I got those, and after conversations with Pilot Ryan, moved my batteries forward, and with those two changes it was a different airplane! I encourage you to look up Pilot Ryan’s You Tube channel….he has a video of nothing but touch and goes that is very helpful. The answer is to have the mains and the nose gear all match, oleos or trailing link, and oleos are definitely best for pavement. My $.02…be patient, as LB said, and wait for the right time to pull the trigger…you won’t be disappointed!

Rob

[Andyb1029]

Cheers LB, I'm looking forward to tinkering and making it the best I can make it

[Elbee]

Thanks for the advice LB

I'll be looking at local clubs for me and getting in as much practice as I can on smaller stuff to get the hang of it.

I was more thinking ahead and get bits over time to build up to the A10, it will give me the motivation to carry on seeing it sitting there and working on it now and again. Like a reward sat there waiting for me.

Andy

https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/freewing-a-10-scale-cockpit-set

Andy, if you have access to a 3DP printer, Dirty Dee had a beautiful Cockpit kit available on Cults 3D.

The STL Files are $20.00 USD and worth every penny. You will need access to someone with a 3DP filament printer.

He has lots of printable ordnance and other goodies for this A-10, as well.

I added the cockpit kit and his vents and louvers set, though he did print all those things back then, but not anymore.

Any questions or comments, feel free to ask and again welcome.

Best, LB

[Andyb1029]

Thanks for the advice LB

I'll be looking at local clubs for me and getting in as much practice as I can on smaller stuff to get the hang of it.

I was more thinking ahead and get bits over time to build up to the A10, it will give me the motivation to carry on seeing it sitting there and working on it now and again. Like a reward sat there waiting for me.

Andy

[Elbee]

Andyb1029

Welcome to Hobby Squawk, Sir. Glad to have you onboard.

The Freewing A-10 is decent beginner EDF and was my first entry back into RC after 30+ years away.

That said, I had 12 years in the hobby, flying, instructing and racing, so it was a bit like riding a bike again for me.

It is my opinion with the proper instruction, you can fly this model, but it is certainly not a trainer.

If you're asking for advice, I'd say let this be your second RC model and find and join a local RC flying club.

Some clubs have instructors with trainer aircraft, but most likely you'll want to buy a 60 inch or so wingspan high wing model as your first RC plane.

In any event, you have chosen wisely when it comes to a hobby, just get off on the right foot, so you're not frustrated by a poor outcome with your first model.

Respectfully, LB

[Andyb1029]

Morning all
Pretty new to this hobby (I will be practicing a lot on basics before flying this)

I'm after buying this package from MotionRC and just after some guidance

Can anyone list the must haves to improve the out of the box jet from MotionRC, improved electronics, added gyros for in flight and on the ground etc

Is there any must have/do mods that have good out of the box improvements either for performance or looks?

I have seen they do list some things in the upgrade section, I might not always have grass available for takeoff/landing. Are the upgraded struts and wheels they list to harsh for grass or just fine for grass and hard surfaces.

Please find a screenshot attached of what I was looking out.

I'm very much looking forward to venturing this hobby, I also looked at there F35 V3 70mm that might me an easier start and size to deal with

Andy

[RCAV8R]

What is the fix for with the nose gear brace Evan?