Official FlightLine OV-10 Bronco Discussion Thread

[xviper]

I can confirm that the A3L is the way to go. Ordered on the 22nd, standard shipping, arrived on the 24th.

The wind wasn't quite as bad this weekend, but enough to toss this plane around. I mounted the A3L to the inside of the fuse, upright. Plenty of room for the batteries. Only downside: cant fit a regular screwdriver in there to adjust the gain. Using just a flat head bit works well enough.

No tail wobble, handles the wind great. It's like a different plane.

If you go with an 8-ch TX/RX, you can hook up the master gain on the A3-L to ch-7 or 8 and use the knob.

[Moki38]

My repaint job of the OV-10A Bronco.

[The Sheriff]

Well, I had an incident on Saturday. The wind was howling and gusting. Normally, I fly my Carbon Z Splendor in these conditions, but the Splendor was down due to a canopy issue. Having done about 20 flights on the Bronco without incident, I boldly proclaimed, "This thing is a tank" as I walked to the flight line. As it turns out, that was mistake.

I regretted my decision immediately after liftoff. The turbulent gusts were forcefully shoving the Bronco into uncontrolled 90 degree banks. After 3 or 4 approaches I managed to get lined up over the runway only to be hit by another gust inches off the ground. An input of heavy aileron correction leveled the plane as it touched down on the center-line on the mains. The crowd of 2 murmured unenthusiastic cheers while my blood pressure returned to a healthy level.

As I taxied back, I could see the right wing sagging with the prop having barely enough clearance for ground maneuvers.

I removed the right boom and repaired the gear by straightening the connecting pin with a vise. Then I removed and re-glued the plastic mounting bracket. Also, side note, the connector from the ESC wire ripped out so I soldered that. She's now fully operational and ready to rip. Aside from some scuffed ordinances, there is no sign of damage.

I love this plane, and will limit flying it to calm days if need be. I would, however, like for it to be an everyday flyer if possible.

Has anyone had success flying in moderate winds with a gyro? I've tinkered with the A3 Super 3, but not in this plane and haven't really used gyros otherwise. Has anyone tried an A3 Super 3 in the Bronco? If so, where did you mount it? Does a gyro help with the wobble that occurs in low to no winds?

I remember a number of times when the yaw damper would malfunction on the KC-135 we would get that tail wag but using the A-3L gyro on the Broncos as some in this post it acts like a yaw damper.

I can confirm that the A3L is the way to go. Ordered on the 22nd, standard shipping, arrived on the 24th.

The wind wasn't quite as bad this weekend, but enough to toss this plane around. I mounted the A3L to the inside of the fuse, upright. Plenty of room for the batteries. Only downside: cant fit a regular screwdriver in there to adjust the gain. Using just a flat head bit works well enough.

No tail wobble, handles the wind great. It's like a different plane.

[vduniec]

I can print but not design, Any chance you could design the long nose modification for the OV-10D? I know that's asking alot, I'd be willing to pay for a working thingiverse file solution. Thanks for the files you've done so far great work!

Thanks for the kind words. Unfortunately, the “D” nose would be a bit too complex for my abilities. I’m only familiar with Tinkercad and that’s basically one step above designing with Legos. I’ve been thinking about going to the next level of CAD programs. If I do, I’ll let you know if it’s something I can do.

[thomasnwilliams]

I can print but not design, Any chance you could design the long nose modification for the OV-10D? I know that's asking alot, I'd be willing to pay for a working thingiverse file solution. Thanks for the files you've done so far great work!

[vduniec]

Here's one more file tonight. These are the APR-39 Radar Warning Receivers for the later model of the USMC OV-10's. I also have the cockpit indicator designed and will upload hopefully this week.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4553726

[rifleman_btx]

Guess my connection was givin me fits, worked this time. Lol

[Dwalkerp47]

I won't be flying my maiden flight for awhile. I'm using an AR637T receiver and it's not working correctly. Every time I hook up the batteries the receiver has to be rebound. I'm using an IX12 and tested it out on my older DX9. On both I have had to rebind each time.

Double check your Throttle Leads coming from the ESC. I was having some of the same issues and found that the Throttle Cable that is Y'd off into the Receiver Plug had an issue. I replaced the Throttle Wires and used a Y Connector at the the 637...I finally got everything to work properly after replacing the cable.

[thomasnwilliams]

Link worked for me without problem, Printing now. Thank you Sir!

[Evan D]

Works for me Vic

[vduniec]

I cant get the link to work

If you're referring to my post, the link works fine for me. I'm relatively new at posting some stuff on Thingiverse and sometimes have not had the best luck searching for things. If you search for vduniec, it should take you to my designs where you can find it that way.

[rifleman_btx]

I cant get the link to work

[vduniec]

Here is the Thingiverse link for the FM Antenna humps that go on the twin tail booms just aft of the wings. I glued them in place and put a nylon bristle from a floor broom in the hole.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4552676

[boomer108]

All this talk about tail wag just made me think to my airline days as mech, its called a yaw damper. The Jetstreams and EMB-145 and vast number of planes i have worked had yaw dampers. OK so im going to install a simple yaw damper in mine, just like the real ones have!!!! Now how do i get it to fit is the next question??????

I remember a number of times when the yaw damper would malfunction on the KC-135 we would get that tail wag but using the A-3L gyro on the Broncos as some in this post it acts like a yaw damper.

[sam51401]

All this talk about tail wag just made me think to my airline days as mech, its called a yaw damper. The Jetstreams and EMB-145 and vast number of planes i have worked had yaw dampers. OK so im going to install a simple yaw damper in mine, just like the real ones have!!!! Now how do i get it to fit is the next question??????

[xviper]

Thanks xviper

I didn't see that post earlier, thought I was keeping up with the thread. It was difficult to see in the gyro on/off video, but the commentary was good. Are you able to adjust the gyro okay in the limited space?

I mounted it such that I could still have my battery placement and have the ability to get a small screwdriver to the gain pots. However, I lucked out and where the gains were set from the last plane it was in is where it happened to work really well and I've never had to touch it since.

[The Sheriff]

Thanks xviper

I didn't see that post earlier, thought I was keeping up with the thread. It was difficult to see in the gyro on/off video, but the commentary was good. Are you able to adjust the gyro okay in the limited space?

[xviper]

Has anyone had success flying in moderate winds with a gyro? I've tinkered with the A3 Super 3, but not in this plane and haven't really used gyros otherwise. Has anyone tried an A3 Super 3 in the Bronco? If so, where did you mount it? Does a gyro help with the wobble that occurs in low to no winds?

That last video I put up was with gyro ON the whole flight and the video I posted before that, I showed what the plane looked like with gyro ON and OFF. It may have been too small in the video to see but I did comment about it in the post.
You don't need such a fancy gyro on this plane to fix the tail waggle or to tame it down in strong crosswinds. Yes, I've flown it in very strong cross winds. I use a simple 3-axis Freewing gyro. The cheapest HobbyEagle A3-L, 3-axis gyro will do the same thing. I built a wooden platform for it and mounted it above and just behind the batteries. I've posted up a picture of that installation earlier in this thread.

[The Sheriff]

Well, I had an incident on Saturday. The wind was howling and gusting. Normally, I fly my Carbon Z Splendor in these conditions, but the Splendor was down due to a canopy issue. Having done about 20 flights on the Bronco without incident, I boldly proclaimed, "This thing is a tank" as I walked to the flight line. As it turns out, that was mistake.

I regretted my decision immediately after liftoff. The turbulent gusts were forcefully shoving the Bronco into uncontrolled 90 degree banks. After 3 or 4 approaches I managed to get lined up over the runway only to be hit by another gust inches off the ground. An input of heavy aileron correction leveled the plane as it touched down on the center-line on the mains. The crowd of 2 murmured unenthusiastic cheers while my blood pressure returned to a healthy level.

As I taxied back, I could see the right wing sagging with the prop having barely enough clearance for ground maneuvers.

I removed the right boom and repaired the gear by straightening the connecting pin with a vise. Then I removed and re-glued the plastic mounting bracket. Also, side note, the connector from the ESC wire ripped out so I soldered that. She's now fully operational and ready to rip. Aside from some scuffed ordinances, there is no sign of damage.

I love this plane, and will limit flying it to calm days if need be. I would, however, like for it to be an everyday flyer if possible.

Has anyone had success flying in moderate winds with a gyro? I've tinkered with the A3 Super 3, but not in this plane and haven't really used gyros otherwise. Has anyone tried an A3 Super 3 in the Bronco? If so, where did you mount it? Does a gyro help with the wobble that occurs in low to no winds?

[xviper]

This morning's flight. Gyro ON for the whole flight.
Warning: hatcam