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

[ColtPilot]

The pilot that doesn't understand the fuss probably won't until he has it happen to him. ;) I've been fortunate so far myself. Only ridden the bucking bronco one time and didn't do any serious damage. Doesn't mean the next time it won't though.

Have to agree. From 4 boing bounces, to one bunny hop, to a greaser of landing today. It depends on field conditions also with grass. Haven't flown off hard surface yet so will see.

[xviper]

Not so much complaint but more Options offered in Struts for all concerned..:Cool:

Options are good. However, I would have never bought this plane if it didn't come with trailing links. I've put trailing links on several of my planes before this but the A-10 is already quite expensive so I would not have bought it knowing I would have had to spend more money to put trailings on it - less expensive ones, yes, but not this one.
That's one of the first (and sometimes the only) questions I'm asked whenever a new plane hits the market ............................ Will it handle grass? IE, will it have the suspension and tires to deal with grass and will it have enough juice to get off grass? I don't know about other places, but within a 2 hour drive of me, the grass fields outnumber smooth, prepared runways 6 to 1. The pretty little scale gear will always snap a leg on the first flight, that's assuming it gets off the ground and sometimes won't even make it off the ground before it goes lame.

[ColtPilot]

I did notice the nose gear looser than when first out of the box.

[TomPatton]

I will make a post here since we are talking landing gear problems, as I'm not sure anyone is listening on the A-4 page!!!
You have the plane, how about a video of the plane flying from a grass runway before the pre-order page comes up. I don't understand why we haven't seen one yet...

[ColtPilot]

I will make a post here since we are talking landing gear problems, as I'm not sure anyone is listening on the A-4 page!!!
You have the plane, how about a video of the plane flying from a grass runway before the pre-order page comes up. I don't understand why we haven't seen one yet...

There are flights from unimproved runways and shows some pretty rough landings. I have one of the first pre-ordered A-10's. There is a learning curve with the type of gear installed. Nothing should get real loose after a few flights. Going to go look at the nose gear now to see what I can do.

[EDFjetpilot]

+1 on the RT 6250's. When I ordered mine, Andy mentioned they only had 7 left in stock. I'm sure they will be getting more soon.

I'm happy to get 5 min of mixed throttle without major drainage. A full minute over the 5800's, but agree with you, 6 minutes is do-able. The holy grail for an edf.

loving the RT's !

Hawk

Agree! I got 5 minutes of scale flight today on the RT 6250/35Cs and they came down at 3.8v per cell. That time did not include taxi time or shooting the approach and landing (I flew until my timer went off then set up for landing). All inclusive, taxi out to taxi back (on grass) was 5:55...and cells reading 3.8v after shut down.

Sean

[sam51401]

This is great news Sean!! I bought two of those HRB batts 6000/50c from the bay and trying them. Not overly impressed but for the money with some one on a budget, they are starting out ok. Im going to JetWerx to check on the 6250's and order several. Hope they get here before the Jet classic in Sept.
I had three more great flights today after i replaced the nose gear unit. Remember, my first bronco landing broke the retract housing. No issues today and also our club had another maiden on an A10 today. He wanted me to go over it and we compared and set things the same as mine and there was no problems.
Now, with the 6250's, where are you placing them and are you moving the CG back?
Im going to start moving my batteries back a little at a time to get some of the up elevator set out and see if it can get better inverted trim. Right now im having to move the stick to about 75% down travel to maintain level. Not much left to feel
comfortable to go into banking and turning in the inverted position.
Lets talk about some ideas and practices to doing some formation flights this fall. I have some ideas and liek to hear your thoughts. Email would be better and get it out of the thread.
Sam

[ColtPilot]

I'm using Hyperion 5000 45C for 4.5 minutes with 3.8v left. I'm ok with that. $95 ea at LHS.

[TomPatton]

There are flights from unimproved runways and shows some pretty rough landings. I have one of the first pre-ordered A-10's. There is a learning curve with the type of gear installed. Nothing should get real loose after a few flights. Going to go look at the nose gear now to see what I can do.

You must have misread my.post...
I was referring to the A-4 and why there are no grass field flight videos...
I have 2 A-10's with numerous flights on the first one with no problems.
There were videos of it flying from grass fields. I would just like to see the A-4 flying from a grass field before purchase...
Please reread...
Thanks...

[EDFjetpilot]

I'll be wanting a set of those oleos also. Reading about the use of Roaring Top 6250s, I can not see them lasting too long at the 35c rating. I have ten RTs, 4 6s 5500, 2 6s 5000, and 4 4s 3300s, all in 70c. All the 6s are for EDFs. I push then hard in my A-10 and Avanti, and they come down only warm. With all the batteries I have tried over the years, these seem to be the best so far. Only time will tell but so far so good. I know that everyone wants to fly an EDF longer, but why get a jet to just lope around the sky. EDFs need a higher c rating and that's not going to change. I also know that many of the cheaper lipos c ratings are a joke and have puffed many a battery proving this. Of course price is relative, I have some Thunder Power 5000 70c 6s that puffed like crazy and are regulated to prop planes only now. I have also used HRB 5000s in 6s that have a 50c rating with much success. The RTs just perform a bit better even though and it's hot enough down here in South Florida to begin with.
My last question is with using the 6250s, do you find it nose heavy. When I tried using the 5500s in the A -10, I felt it was too nose heavy for my liking. The 6250s and the 5500s are about the same weight.

To clarify here at the start, I fly the A-10 scale, or as you refer to it, lope around. My FW F-16 is a different story.

Usually I'd agree that EDFs need higher C ratings. However, not on this A-10. It appears that FW and MRC have a well engineered power system keeping the amp draw down while still producing good power to fly scale at half throttle. What kills lipos is heat (among other things). Flying the A-10 scale does not cause these 35Cs to get "hot" (I consider "hot" over 130°F). In fact, today, in my testing, my 50Cs were just as warm (112°F with a 92°F ambient temp) as my 35Cs flying the same test flight profile. Yes, time will tell...but a 5, possibly 6 minute flight on a foamie EDF...it's about time!

Now, if you fly the A-10 at a non-scale full throttle...yea...you may need higher C batteries and I would recommend them. However, keep in mind, the higher C batteries may stay warm, but check your ESCs to ensure you're not burning them up instead.

The 6250s do make it a tad nose heavy...but to my liking. It flies like it's on rails. I was able to eliminate elevator/flap mix. And no bouncing on landing.

Now for my FW F-16, I did order the RT 5000/70Cs...but that's for another post.

Sean

[EDFjetpilot]

This is great news Sean!! I bought two of those HRB batts 6000/50c from the bay and trying them. Not overly impressed but for the money with some one on a budget, they are starting out ok. Im going to JetWerx to check on the 6250's and order several. Hope they get here before the Jet classic in Sept.
I had three more great flights today after i replaced the nose gear unit. Remember, my first bronco landing broke the retract housing. No issues today and also our club had another maiden on an A10 today. He wanted me to go over it and we compared and set things the same as mine and there was no problems.
Now, with the 6250's, where are you placing them and are you moving the CG back?
Im going to start moving my batteries back a little at a time to get some of the up elevator set out and see if it can get better inverted trim. Right now im having to move the stick to about 75% down travel to maintain level. Not much left to feel
comfortable to go into banking and turning in the inverted position.
Lets talk about some ideas and practices to doing some formation flights this fall. I have some ideas and liek to hear your thoughts. Email would be better and get it out of the thread.
Sam

Sam,

Great to hear you've got things worked out!

I understand your concern about CG and inverted flight. On a similar note, a flying buddy asked how this A-10 flies inverted. I asked him, have you ever seen a full scale A-10 fly inverted? He said "no". I said good, you won't see me doing it either. :-)

I'll PM you...looking forward to some Hawg formations at the FJC!

Sean

[gravity tester]

Jetwerx has the 5800's in stock. Looks like they won't get more 6250's until Sept.

And I like loping around. It's easier on the heart rate. Ha ha ha.

Cheers,
Dan

[josch]

Hello from Germany,

this is my first post here, sorry for my bad english.

A big gratulation to the developer team of the A-10 warthog, its a great and wounderfull flying model :Cool::Cool:.
Take off, flight and landings are easy and the handling is simple.
Here a video with full ordonance (handy, low-grade quality) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZiHEbj3tYo&t=14s

I do a few modifications, for example both Batteries 6S 5000 SLS in the back position, cg are more back at 86 mm (middle of the front carbon tube), external LiFe for the Receiver,
rivets are made with a pencil, weathering with Tamiya Set and a varnish coating with acrylic semi gloss.

Now a few pictures of my A-10


















Log SM Unisens E left turbine (video flight), right turbine is the same.


Best Regards from Germany

[TiredIronGRB]

Very nice job on the A-10, I really like your carrier.

Welcome to Hobby Squawk!

[ColtPilot]

You must have misread my.post...
I was referring to the A-4 and why there are no grass field flight videos...
I have 2 A-10's with numerous flights on the first one with no problems.
There were videos of it flying from grass fields. I would just like to see the A-4 flying from a grass field before purchase...
Please reread...
Thanks...

Got it. A little confused. Are you going to the E-JETS International and E-Warbirds flyin that the TORKS is putting on.

[gravity tester]

I'm using Hyperion 5000 45C for 4.5 minutes with 3.8v left. I'm ok with that. $95 ea at LHS.

Hey Tim-
Dumb question: Is that 4.5 minutes including taxi time, etc. or is that actual air time take off to touch down on that 5000?

Thx,
Dan

[TomPatton]

Got it. A little confused. Are you going to the E-JETS International and E-Warbirds flyin that the TORKS is putting on.

Planning on it... As long as work doesn't get in the way. We have mandatory overtime where I work, it ruins a weekend every now and then.

[ColtPilot]

Hey Tim-
Dumb question: Is that 4.5 minutes including taxi time, etc. or is that actual air time take off to touch down on that 5000?

Thx,
Dan

Taxi time included. I'm not pushing it accept for take off. All flying at or just above half throttle.

[ColtPilot]

Planning on it... As long as work doesn't get in the way. We have mandatory overtime where I work, it ruins a weekend every now and then.

I know that sucks. Just got a new job and no time off accpt weekends.

[Jimbobtheflimbob]

I like those covers you have made for the A10, is that just that material that goes in your car windscreen to stop it heating up? Welcome, your english seems pretty good to me, certainly a lot better than my German!