Official FlightLine OV-10 Bronco Discussion Thread

[xviper]

Thanks Evan D for the mod to the canopy latch. You can bet I'll take that advice. Also, thanks xviper for your comments. If I understood the Y cable issue was that the combination of Y cable on the battery and on the ESC was that it prevented a dead battery causing a engine failure or no power to the BEC. This will be my first venture into twin engine plane. And the thought of losing a engine in flight would be a major failure that would ruin your day and probably the loss of a plane. Like I said, that post got my attention. So, being that the plane as delivered from the factory is somewhat under powered, would you recommend not using 4S 3300mAh batteries rather than the suggested 4s 4000mAh batteries?

I've never had an incident nor have I really worried about losing an engine. Going to a bigger mah battery isn't going to address the under-powered situation. All that does it to give you a bit more flying time. Also, every brand of battery will perform differently, weigh differently and pump out the juice differently. Just comparing mah isn't going to reveal much. You say you are a fan of Spektrum batteries and that is your right to be as such. In my mind and from real world testing, Spektrum batteries don't measure up very well compared to other brands of much cheaper products. They test poorly and put out far, far less than their stated "C" ratings and tend to be priced very high. Certainly, you get all the "smart" stuff with them if you buy that series of batteries, but a lot of those features (telemetry, smart charging/discharging) become unimportant as time goes by and in some cases, are unreliable.

Of all my prop planes, single or multi, the OV-10 is right at the top of my faves.

[Evan D]

I've never had a motor out with an electric twin. Both ESC BECs supply power to the radio in this. Added together it's just not something I worry about. If it is something you do worry about making a H harness to wire the batteries together would be good peace of mind.

The stock power is very easy on batteries and you can get long flights off a pair of 3300-3500.

I saw one fly before I built mine and I like "extra" power. When I built mine I put in a system that pulls 3X the power as stock. I also programmed in crow, very high flap travel, rudder airbrakes and differential throttle. It does some crazy stuff. I also repainted it and put in a digital FPV set up... It's a great great plane.

https://youtu.be/eRDArATnri0

[craig.gavin@icloud.com]

Thanks Evan D for the mod to the canopy latch. You can bet I'll take that advice. Also, thanks xviper for your comments. If I understood the Y cable issue was that the combination of Y cable on the battery and on the ESC was that it prevented a dead battery causing a engine failure or no power to the BEC. This will be my first venture into twin engine plane. And the thought of losing a engine in flight would be a major failure that would ruin your day and probably the loss of a plane. Like I said, that post got my attention. So, being that the plane as delivered from the factory is somewhat under powered, would you recommend not using 4S 3300mAh batteries rather than the suggested 4s 4000mAh batteries?

[xviper]

I'm new to this group having just bought a Flightline OV-10 Bronco on sale. Can't wait for it to land on my doorstep.

Planning ahead, I have a Spektrum NX8 transmitter and thinking of using a Spektrum AR8360T receiver in the Bronco. Going to also use a SRXL 2 DSMX remote receiver for signal diversity. Any experience or comments for this combination (pls no slurs about Spektrum)?

Having read through the posts here, I understand that it is advisable to use a Y parallel cable for a single battery connection and a Y parallel cable to connect the two ESCs. Right?

Horizon Hobby is out of stock of Spektrum 4S 4000mAh batteries (not expected now until February). So another question: Do I wait for 4S 4000mAH batteries? Or buy 4S 3300mAh which are in stock now? I know their are other brands, but I'm sold on Spektrum batteries.

Is there anything else I need to do, other than add some magnets to hold the canopy in place? And any essentials I need to do or buy (like spare parts) before I start the build up and maiden. Thanks in advance for your assistance.

I think you may have read too much into what's been posted here. To address your points, here is my take on it.

I'm a Spektrum user myself, so no slurs from me. If you haven't gotten the 8360 yet, you might reconsider. A more basic one like the AR631, with a single long antenna is plenty good. Even if you stick with the 8-ch one, a standard remote RX is more than sufficient. A SRXL2 is unnecessary but of course, that's your choice.

I still hook up 2 batteries separately and it's been working just fine for years. I don't know why it's "advisable" to Y it together so you can use one battery, but again, your choice.

My canopy has never even come close to coming off. It's always fit very snugly and never shifted but I guess if you tend to have bumpy landings, that's another story.

My only complaint from the very beginning was I felt the plane was a bit underpowered. I like mine to be able to do a big loop from a level pass and the stock one just can't make it all the way up and over. I've beefed up the motors, ESCs and props to give it much more go power. You may find it just fine in stock configuration.

The paint seems to a bit tender when it comes to hanger rash and daily use. I would consider sealing it all with something like MinWax, at least one coat.

[Evan D]

Welcome to the forum, you bought a wonderful airplane.

Spektrum works. So do other systems.

..."advisable to use a Y parallel cable for a single battery connection and a Y parallel cable to connect the two ESCs. Right?". I'm sure someone has said to Y the two batteries but I'm also sure the vast majority set it up as it comes out of the box, not Y'd. I don't have any of my models, Bronco included, Y'd. Yes to Y'ing the ESC signal wires.

This can use so many different batteries. I am not a fan of the Admiral batteries, I feel there are much better batteries for less money. I am even less of a fan for Spektrum batteries.

Why add extra magnets? The issue with the canopy is the fuselage flexes and the latch becomes unlatched. See my fix for the latch.


Again, welcome.

https://www.hobbysquawk.com/forum/rc-airplanes/rc-propeller-airplanes/247933-official-flightline-ov-10-bronco-discussion-thread?p=262012#post262012

https://www.hobbysquawk.com/forum/rc-airplanes/rc-propeller-airplanes/247933-official-flightline-ov-10-bronco-discussion-thread?p=262055#post262055

https://www.hobbysquawk.com/forum/rc-airplanes/rc-propeller-airplanes/247933-official-flightline-ov-10-bronco-discussion-thread?p=316105#post316105

https://www.hobbysquawk.com/forum/rc-airplanes/rc-propeller-airplanes/247933-official-flightline-ov-10-bronco-discussion-thread?p=316208#post316208

[craig.gavin@icloud.com]

I'm new to this group having just bought a Flightline OV-10 Bronco on sale. Can't wait for it to land on my doorstep.

Planning ahead, I have a Spektrum NX8 transmitter and thinking of using a Spektrum AR8360T receiver in the Bronco. Going to also use a SRXL 2 DSMX remote receiver for signal diversity. Any experience or comments for this combination (pls no slurs about Spektrum)?

Having read through the posts here, I understand that it is advisable to use a Y parallel cable for a single battery connection and a Y parallel cable to connect the two ESCs. Right?

Horizon Hobby is out of stock of Spektrum 4S 4000mAh batteries (not expected now until February). So another question: Do I wait for 4S 4000mAH batteries? Or buy 4S 3300mAh which are in stock now? I know their are other brands, but I'm sold on Spektrum batteries.

Is there anything else I need to do, other than add some magnets to hold the canopy in place? And any essentials I need to do or buy (like spare parts) before I start the build up and maiden. Thanks in advance for your assistance.

[Amjet]

3 more amazing flights! This is becoming my favorite R/C airplane!

[xviper]

My 810g twin packs are all the way forward, so there is still some room to move a heavier single pack further aft if need be.

[Atesvn]

Thanks XViper, On the parallel setup, I custom made an XT 90 to parallel XT60 adapter, 2" long and 30gr. So it will be 833gr in total.

[xviper]

Just built this model and was wondering if anyone flys it on a single 8000 pack? 2 4000's are 772gr, and I have some 8000's that come in at 803gr. Any thoughts?

I haven't but ..................... If it'll fit, it'll fly. It can easily handle 803g. You are prepared to make the necessary adapter to bring the 2 leads together, right?

[Atesvn]

Just built this model and was wondering if anyone flys it on a single 8000 pack? 2 4000's are 772gr, and I have some 8000's that come in at 803gr. Any thoughts?

[Evan D]

The stl files are posted earlier in this thread.

[Amjet]

Has anyone 3D printed a cockpit kit for the OV 10 and made it available?

[Amjet]

Maidened mine yesterday. Four excellent flights.

[Jpmcdo]

Almost lost mine today. She tipped stalled on final turn. rolled over into a death spin. I was about 100 feet up thankfully. I full throttled it and pulled back. Some how it missed the trees and pulled out. I was able to land and dont see any issues other that it must have been to slow. It didnt look slow. I had a runcam 4k on board but like always it didnt work again so no sweet video of the save. Run cam went to the trash can where it belongs.
EDIT. I 100% believe it was too slow. I was at 1/4 throttle with full flaps and gear down. It must have been just not enough speed. Thankful I got it home and didnt hit any trees or homes or cars. Still unsure how I did not hit anything.

That happened to me on my first ones maiden. It kept climbing so I cut throttle and tried to land on a runway most don’t use. Tip stalled it. Not sure why it climbed on its first flight. Tried to trim it out and I’m anal about making sure it’s set up properly based on directions and recommendations here and on rcgroups. Did rebuild it and have flown it since but do keep the speed up in turns.

[MeyerVW]

Almost lost mine today. She tipped stalled on final turn. rolled over into a death spin. I was about 100 feet up thankfully. I full throttled it and pulled back. Some how it missed the trees and pulled out. I was able to land and dont see any issues other that it must have been to slow. It didnt look slow. I had a runcam 4k on board but like always it didnt work again so no sweet video of the save. Run cam went to the trash can where it belongs.
EDIT. I 100% believe it was too slow. I was at 1/4 throttle with full flaps and gear down. It must have been just not enough speed. Thankful I got it home and didnt hit any trees or homes or cars. Still unsure how I did not hit anything.

[GBLynden]

This is Roy's Rough Landing with his Custom Flightline OV-10 Bronco 1400mm RC Warbird.

[xviper]

Before the first season got too far with this plane, I was wanting more power. I went with 60A ESCs, Eflite Power 25 motors, 5-blade Scimitar props and spinners from an Eflite EC1500, plus a Freewing E51 gyro (made for SebArt) with moderate gain on the rudder to tame the tail waggle. It has become one of my favourite prop planes.

[Evan D]

I went and looked at my set up and as I said the motors I used, 1000kV are no longer available BUT a 840 is. The slightly lower kV wouldn't hurt performance.

HobbyStar 2826 (3548) Brushless Outrunner Motor (rcjuice.com)

I think the rest of my set up is available.

The ESCs were out of a Tigercat, nice that they come with long battery leads that are more than long enough for the Bronco. You'll have to change the bullet connectors for the motors, they don't show in stock but there are others - Freewing 60 Amp Brushless ESC with XT-60 Connector [051D002001] Motion RC

I picked APCe 11x8 propellers in normal and pusher. APC-Landing Products Electric Propeller, 11 x 8E | Tower Hobbies
APC-Landing Products Thin Electric Pusher Propeller, 11 x 8 | Tower Hobbies

Spinners. You have to carve the opening on the pusher one.- Great Planes Spinner 2" Nylon Aluminum Black | Tower Hobbies

[jerdawgca]

Ordered my Bronco last week. Can anyone tell me their power modifications for the esc’s, motors and props to get really good reliable power? Thanks in advance!