Freewing 80mm A-10 Modifications

[Elbee]

Hey everyone, I've decided to go whole hog on detailing my hog ;)

NCB, Welcome to the 'Squawk". Sounds as if you're no stranger to top-notch detailing an A-10. The Freewing A-10 was my first entry back into RC after 20+ years away. It is a great airframe. Don't forget to post lots of pictures as you progress. Thank you for service, as well, sir. Best, LB

[NCBobUSA]

Hey everyone, saw Steve's documentation on the mods he made and I've decided to go whole hog on detailing my hog ;)

My first flight didn't go well because of a few things, poor field choice (it has LOTS of trees around it) too optimistic on the flight time, and a stuck retract. It ended up pretty much destroying itself in a flight into trees but the electronics were ok.

Got my second one recently, go it all put together and flew it at a better field with a little more pessimistic timer setting for flight time. Got two flights on it and I'm absolutely loving it. Flies very much like the real A-10 (I was a flight simulator tech on them in Alaska) and I already have my shockwave 3 system ready to install, I'll be doing the ladder mods, opening canopy and dirty Dee's STL files (totally worth it) and some other models off thingiverse and three d print a lot of accessories for it. Might even give the powder cannon a shot. For the paint scheme I'm going with the 'Spirit of Fairbanks' from when they first got stationed at eielson (thanks Callie Graphics for the decals they look amazing)

I'm also using redundant receivers from frsky

I'm also going to go through all the pictures I have and post it on here. It will have to wait a little as I just had back surgery and a total knee replacement on my right knee. But I'm estimating a year to finish it all up

Here's the video of the remaiden flight ;)

[Dirty Dee]

I will likely fly it before detailing it. Also wondering how you went about removing the canopy without trashing it.And where did you get the pilot?

FYI, if you are looking to upgrade the canopy for more scale detail and resistance from gatoring/popcorning in the sun I offer a 3D printed kit, or have the STLs available for purchase if you got a printer

[RCjetdude]

HI Dude! Love your a10 Mods. I just got mine today and am trying to decide on what color scheme I want to use. I was wondering where you got your documentation for the British scheme. I like that and I like the Arctic Thunder scheme as well. And I have been looking at the various paints you can use. You mentioned latex paint I think. This plane is incredible. I will likely fly it before detailing it. Also wondering how you went about removing the canopy without trashing it.And where did you get the pilot?

Hello bbolz and welcome to HobbySquawk. I found some pictures of the plane on this site https://dstorm.eu/pages/en/usa/a-10.html which has some very good reference info on many others as well. The one I did was 82-0665 which was the last A-10A built. I also used a color scheme image found in a Squadron Publications book on the A-10.



The pilot came from Jet Hangar Hobbies. The canopy can easily be removed by just sliding a thin spatula or blade under the edge of it and pulling it loose. Yes, the paints I used we're simply latex exterior paint thinned down with some Createx reducer. The actual FS numbers are available in Model Macters acrylics or enamels which are much better quality paints than latex house paint. I still have the A-10 and recently flew it at eJet Fest in Lakeland, FL. Best wishes on your project.

[Radar-Guy]

Here is a link to the early green paint scheme.

https://www.cybermodeler.com/aircraft/a-10/a-10_profile01.shtml

Btw, there was never a real A-10 painted in the grey/black arctic aggressor scheme like the F-16. There was one A-10 getting white paint applied on top of the greenish scheme to test an arctic camo. In addition, there was a so called „flipper scheme“.

http://warthognews.blogspot.com/2012/01/10-80-0221-in-experimental-arctic.html

https://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.php?/topic/67973-a-10a-arctic-snow-camo-scheme/

[Dirty Dee]

HI Dude! Love your a10 Mods. I just got mine today and am trying to decide on what color scheme I want to use. I was wondering where you got your documentation for the British scheme. I like that and I like the Arctic Thunder scheme as well. And I have been looking at the various paints you can use. You mentioned latex paint I think. This plane is incredible. I will likely fly it before detailing it. Also wondering how you went about removing the canopy without trashing it.And where did you get the pilot?

search for "charcoal lizard" or "euro 1" or "Europe 1" . There were 2 modifications made to the camo pattern after the original lizard scheme, so you have some variety thanks to that. Also, one deviation that was sometimes made from the original patters, was that the rudders were painted a solid color "34102 Light Green" to help with interchangeability between port and starboard for repairs.Lots of good info in "C&M VOL. 24" for the A-10

[Elbee]

This plane is incredible.

BB, If I have not already welcomed you here, Welcome to the "Squawk". Great model and I like the way you think with regard to all the detail that can be added to this A-10. Good luck to you sir, enjoy. Best, LB

[bbolz]

HI Dude! Love your a10 Mods. I just got mine today and am trying to decide on what color scheme I want to use. I was wondering where you got your documentation for the British scheme. I like that and I like the Arctic Thunder scheme as well. And I have been looking at the various paints you can use. You mentioned latex paint I think. This plane is incredible. I will likely fly it before detailing it. Also wondering how you went about removing the canopy without trashing it.And where did you get the pilot?

[MikeT]

"The look I am shooting for."

Looks familiar .

Mike

[bbolz]

Wondering where you got the documentation for the British camo paint theme. Can you share this?

[Elbee]

Custom pneumatic powder canon good for several shots.?!?!

Chipset, I believe somewhere in this thread there is a vid of RCJD's operating powder cannon. Might send him a PM and ask. Best, LB

[chipset35]

Ok, time to let the 'Cool Cat' out of the bag. This thread is to document mine and anyone elses impressions and modifications of the new Freewing 80/90mm A-10. I received mine on May 4th after being given an opportunity to get it early because of the modifications I planned to make to it and the fact that I intend to take it to NEFI this year. I am extremely appreciative to Motion RC for even considering me and the time it would take to make these modifications. It is truly an honor to be the first customer to receive this awesome plane. The changes I have in store are an operable canopy, semi-scale cockpit interior, JHH 1/10th scale pilot figure, my powder canon, the Shockwave2 sound system, an extendable ladder, wing leading edge slats, Nerf Vortex whistles and Euro green camo done up in the 82-0665 markings for the 'Cool Cat' or 'The Last Tiger' which is in line with the markings offered by Callie Graphics. I will also be adding additional custom made water-slide decals and some personal touches. So far I have installed the speakers, began the mod to install the ladder box, lined the canopy with sheet styrene, fabricated the Acess II ejection seat and cockpit interior, modified the pilot to fit, and assembled the model to make sure everything works and prepare it for painting. I am hoping to have it at least painted enough by this Thursday the 18th to take it to Joe Nall where I would love to get Kelly Leggette (legman01) to autograph it since he is an experienced A-10 pilot. I will not have it completed by then but it will be by NEFI. Very soon people will start receiving their shipping notifications and this plane will not disappoint. The packaging is the typical two sections of molded styrofoam in a heavy duty box and was received without any damage. The unboxing was straight forward and the only issue I had with it was that some interleaving paper slid out from between the insignia and chaff dispenser decals allowing them to stick together and I destroyed them trying to get them apart. I reported the issue but for me it was not a big deal as I just duplicated the decals I needed and made my own. My first impression was that the overall quality of this kit is extremely high. The foam is firm with very little grain visible in it. There was no thin paint anywhere and the fit of the parts is solid. All the servos worked with no issues and the gear cycled without fail. I did have one spot on one of the flaps where a little extra glue got out onto the flap at a hinge causing it to be stiffer than it should but an xacto knife broke the bond and I flexed it up and down to which it freed right up. It has been said before but the plane is huge and even though it has the same wingspan as my 1700mm Corsair, it seems huge compared to it. I have an 8' x 8' work table and it takes up a significant amount of space on it so be prepared as you will need some room for this beast! Fishing some of the wires can be a little tricky but with some patience you will get it. Mike did an excellent job in the build video outlining how to assemble it and Kloverzero has also mentioned that connecting the servo leads to the connector board can be tricky to which I agree. If the spacing on the board was just a little wider between pins it would make things a lot easier but it will work with some effort. This plane is a "modders" dream because it is big and as a result the interior is very open needless to say. I will have no trouble fitting my powder canon and other goodies inside it although I most likely will have to relocate the connector board to do it. My plan is to document each phase of the modification process starting with the canopy/cockpit. There are many ways to skin the proverbial cat so to speak (pun intended) and I am sure there are better ways to do the things that I will present so I hope this stimulates some actual modification experiences very soon as people start to get theirs. I will post pictures of the canopy/cockpit modifications soon but for now here are a few pictures to help wet the appetite. After the 18th I will get more details up but bear in mind I am trying to get some paint on this thing before Thursday.

Here is a list of all the changes I made to the plane and some additional specs.

- Shockwave2 sound system using two TT-25 speakers wired in series utilizing the original turbofan start up and shut down sound files but using a custom GAU-8 sound file that I created. Integrated with the custom powder canon.
- Custom pneumatic powder canon good for several shots.
- Semi scale cockpit detail including removable pilot figure and ejection seat.
- Opening canopy.
- Onboard leading edge wing slats.
- Stowable ladder.
- Painted landing gear struts.
- Custom paint in the European camo scheme using exterior latex paint.
- IR window on sniper pod.
- Maverick rails.
- Custom decals mostly from Callie Graphics.
- Custom battery tray to allow stacking batteries in the aft location.
- GT POWER gear door sequencing module.
- TIGRB custom nose gear bracket.
- 5mm square carbon fiber tube fuselage reinforcements.
- Removed Pave Penny pod.
- Stock 80mm 9-blade fans and 100A ESC's.
- Scorpion Backup Guard.
- Hobby Eagle A3-L gyro.
- Spektrum DX9 radio and AR9020 9-chanel receiver.
- Roaring Top 5800mAh 35C 6S or 5000mAh 70C 6S batteries.
- AUW ready to fly with ordnance - 16lbs 1oz.







Some of the cockpit detail...




The look I am shooting for.





Steve

Custom pneumatic powder canon good for several shots.?!?!

[Elbee]

For those looking for closeup photos of various details...Got mine stashed somewhere i can't find it :-(https://www.amazon.com/10-Thunderbol.../dp/0861011236

Strma, Great addition, also check out Reid Publications-"The Modern Hog Guide" (The A-10 Exposed) by Jake Melampy. Fascinating photos of almost every inch with the exception of the Officers' Latrine! Welcome to Hobby Squawk and if you need or want a certain area, let me know and I scan/photo it and post here. Best, LB

[Strma]

For those looking for closeup photos of various details...Got mine stashed somewhere i can't find it :-(

https://www.amazon.com/10-Thunderbolt-Aviation-Fact-File/dp/0861011236

[JLambCWU]

Gents

all these freewing wing planes were airbrushpainted using enamels thinned slightly with enamel thinner from model masters.

ive had good luck with this method

Going to do the same canards on my SU-35. Did you post on how you did it?

J

[RCjetdude]

Thanks,

Well so far, it looks like this..... Have the AAR slipway and the side vents glued in. Waiting until after the paint to get the exhaust/inlet installed, as well as the servo covers. Graphics on order from Callie... Servo covers may give an idea of planned paint colour..... ;)

Very nice. Trying to figure out from the servo covers your planned paint scheme...hmm. :Thinking:

[RCAV8R]

A-10 gear are in!!! Rob

[Spammer]

Thanks,

Well so far, it looks like this..... Have the AAR slipway and the side vents glued in. Waiting until after the paint to get the exhaust/inlet installed, as well as the servo covers. Graphics on order from Callie... Servo covers may give an idea of planned paint colour..... ;)

[RCjetdude]

Welcome aboard spammer. Look forward to seeing your A-10.

[Spammer]

Been stalking for a while..... Thanks for all the ideas, I have a long list of stuff to do to get my bird airborne. Thanks to RC Jet Dude, Dirty Dee, and T33Jetman amongst others. For those with access to a 3D printer, here is my contribution: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2817074 I will try to update if more parts required.