Good Bye Ol' Iron Ass

[Konrad]

That is why I don't want folks to bleed on that razor.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occam%27s_razor

I'm not questioning the quality or even the performance (much). It is the value that I'm questioning based on the replacement value of the components that come with the slightly more expensive "Old Crow".

If all one is looking at is the entry cost $209, looks to be a better deal than $279. But if one looks deeper this apparent value evaporates, well in my analysis.

I suspect this is the real reason that the "Iron Ass" was discontinued was that the value just wasn't there. And I'm saying that by looking at the components, it really can't compete 'value wise' even at the discount price of $209 with the full priced "Old Crow"

Now looking at the price as a whole package (not just at the component upgrades), a 1/3 discount for the "Iron Ass" might be a sales driver for some.

[Konrad]

Motor/prop details aside, the stock 4 bladed Iron Ass without sound has the same power in the air as most of the FMS 1400mm warbirds. Iron Ass 1400mm = $209, FMS 1400mm = $299. The Iron Ass shares many common parts with the Old Crow, so spare parts availability isn't a concern for me. Based on those two factors, that makes an Easy decision for me to pick up another IA.

I agree the FW products often look like a much better value than the FMS products. But as we are looking at 2 FW P-51 I think that the "Old Crow" even at its full price is a better value than the discounted "Iron Ass". Now if you aren't or can't use the performance of the the "Old Crow" then the added $70 offers you no added value.

[Grossman56]

Yeah, I agree, the FMS P51s come with a 540kv and I had to upgrade mine to a 580kv just to bring them up to the same power in the air as Old Iron Ass, so its a two way street.

Grossman56

[Grossman56]

Okay, just got permission to pick one up so I jumped on it!!
The reason being is, if nothing else, its spare parts. Worse come to worse and I smuck up my first one, I have a back up.
I really had no planes on buying another plane, but at this price, I can't resist
(And 'no', no special price for moderators!)

Grossman56

[Konrad]

Okay, just got permission to pick one up so I jumped on it!!
The reason being is, if nothing else, its spare parts. Worse come to worse and I smuck up my first one, I have a back up.
I really had no planes on buying another plane, but at this price, I can't resist
(And 'no', no special price for moderators!)

Grossman56

I think its time for a work slow down (on the third day) until management corrects these working conditions.:dodgy:

Spare parts seems to be a good use for the IA.

[Grossman56]

Well, to my way of thinking, I'll be blissfully flying along when something goes wrong and I need some new wings or I total Old Crow (Iron Ass in disguise) and she becomes spare parts. I really love this airplane so I'd be kicking myself in my own Iron Ass if I didn't pick one up.
Worse comes to worse (or best comes to best, depending on how you look at it) I have a P51 project that I've been kicking around for awhile now to create an
F-6D in the markings of Butch Schroeders Lil Margaret, the 1993 Oshkosh World War II Grand Champion Title winner

Grossman56

[stitch]

well motion helped me out thanks guys you have a customer for life lol! heck i got another one today 2 in 2 weeks got to hide this one ol,iron ass is a great looking plane,me i think there getting rid of wrong one but hey that,s just me.i got one together tonight no problems everything went right in like it should.retracks work fine recycled them ol hell 25 times over 3hrs no problems at all. put rc sound in it 4 speakers 2 bass 2 regular,put in machine gun light,s heehee! look,s dam good!

[TiredIronGRB]

I can't believe how fast this got here, as always crazy God service from MRC.

[weedsnager]

Ordered mine yesterday....arrived at my door today as well !

[Dewey H Lee]

Well it's here. Just open the box and checked everything out. No damage from shipping and the plane is beautiful. The only problem found is I'm going to have to order a new battery hatch. Seems that the person assembling my model must have had to much soki the night before or that day. They glued my battery hatch in the frount solid. I really destroyed the edges getting it off. Man that hurts. But I'll just order another one tonight and maybe even get a few more props to be on the safe side. Never know.
I remember somewhere on how to get the play out of the tail wheel. I would appreciate it if someone could point me to where that was please. I think this one is going together before the P40.
Congrats to OV10 and Lon.
Happy Flights.

[Dewey H Lee]

Hello Gman, Lon, Ov10
I was just getting an order ready for my new Iron Ass. Received my plane yesterday and I'm glade y'all pointed me in the right direction to purchase it. I would like to go ahead and order anything that has been a weak link so that I can have it on hand. You gentlemen have a lot of experience with this plane so I need your wisdom. Have to get a new battery hatch because mine came in glued solid and I messed it up getting it free.(glued solid in the frount) Anyhow kvd got an extra set of props and spinner other than the hatch. Reviews show problems you could have with the retracts but really aren't specific as to what parts. Would really love to have them on hand in case. If y'all could send me some ideas I'd really appreciate it. I know old crowd parts will work but I'd kinda like have them and not use them than to have to wait for them to come in. Also have the money right now.😁

[TiredIronGRB]

My battery hatch was also glued in the front but was able to get it loose without damaging it.

[OV10]

Hello Dewey,
Really can't advise on a spare parts list for you because I am still going strong with mine after a year of use and I don't know at what level your skill set is at. Old Iron Ass is a pretty solid airframe and the oleo struts on it are actually better than the FMS stang struts in my honest opinion. Now my skill set is above the average pilot out there so my birds do not take a ton of beatings like I see people posting videos of all the time. The videos that really crack me up is where the landing looks like they dropped a bowling ball from 5 feet and think it is a good landing but then complain about the retract/struts being weak. The flight instructor in me wants to say to those pilots that maybe they need to work more on their landing skills versus video directorship. Props are always good to have but other than that the best advise I can give is make a parts list based on what you think your most consistent skill weakness is. If your a good flyer and can consistently put the bird where you want it on landings the majority of the time then I wouldn't really worry about having a stock pile of "what if" parts.
Best regards,

[Dewey H Lee]

Thanks OV10
Surely I'm not on your level. I'm not good enough to be an instructor. I can say that I'm am a pretty competent pilot though. One of the things I have always worked on was landings. When I came back to flying couple of years ago the guys in the club use to joke at me saying I spent more time with my wheels on the ground than in the air. Especially while flying my Corsairs. Man those gull wings settling in is awesome. I fly scale just basic loops , barrel rolls, knewman 8s. Not a 3 d man at all. Had one crash in the 2 years back and I just got to far out and ended up in a dust devil coming out of a slow barrel roll. I thank you. I know what you mean a about some of the videos. More like a basketball than a bowling ball though. Well it's good to know that I shouldn't need to order a lot then. I'm glade the planes retracts have been getting a bad rap. By the way you were right about the looks of this plane. It's nice.
Happy Flights

[Grossman56]

Well guys, the IA's without sound are gone! Thanks to the wife for letting me get it!!!:rolleyes:
Really, at that price!!
Dewey, they are great planes! I agree with OV (surprise), a lot of the guys complaining about the plane are ones that land like a brick. I've had a couple of rough landings with mine and patched her up and put her back in the air. With the sound system, I found her needing more of a take off run than the FMS P51's. Once I caught on to that (Duh, it weighs more Dan) she was fine. I repainted mine in the Old Crow colors and put the invasion stripes on her as well. It may not be authentic as Bud was flying his B model on June 6, but from an R/C point of view, it really helps with the visual while staying true to the times. The fuselage is wider than the FMS but t just looks so right!!
Have fun with it, I'm hoping to see pics of all the 'last of her breed' owners of this fine airplane.

Grossman56

[Grossman56]

well motion helped me out thanks guys you have a customer for life lol! heck i got another one today 2 in 2 weeks got to hide this one ol,iron ass is a great looking plane,me i think there getting rid of wrong one but hey that,s just me.i got one together tonight no problems everything went right in like it should.retracks work fine recycled them ol hell 25 times over 3hrs no problems at all. put rc sound in it 4 speakers 2 bass 2 regular,put in machine gun light,s heehee! look,s dam good!

Sorry Stitch, hit the wrong button, no editing done, but I want to know more about the machine gun lights!! Where and how type of thing. Seen a video with a guys using them with the machine gun sound. so cool!!

Grossman56

[TiredIronGRB]

Anyone else missing the IA decals?

[Dewey H Lee]

Thanks Gman.
I'm pretty good on landings so if OV and you and Lon say if I bring it in as usual I should not have anything to worry about. Flying is the most important but I ja e always worked tirelessly on landings. The only experience with mustang landings though have been with my 65 inches wingspan God knows who made p51 nitro I bought at a good price. Flys good. Has an ASP91 in it and air retracts. Possibly if I was to post some pictures do you think someone might be able to identify the maker for me. I've looked at a lot of sites but nothing jumps out. The guy I got it from got it in a trade and doesn't know the maker.

[Dewey H Lee]

Oh yea congratulations on the wife's permission.

[TSHobbies]

got mine in today ! Now I need more batteries..darn it