08A10.lt1.doc
[Headline: Freewing A-10 Thunderbolt II]
[Subhead: An enjoyable EDF jet experience]
[Author: Jay Smith]
[Photos by the author]
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[additional callouts: none at this time]
SPECIFICATIONS
Model type: Semiscale EDF
Skill level: Beginner builder; intermediate pilot
Wingspan: 43.3 inches
Length: 39.4 inches
Weight: 59.26 ounces
Construction: EPO foam
Street price: $249.99
TEST-MODEL DETAILS
Motor: Two 2836-3500 Kv brushless outrunners (included)
Speed controller: Two 40-amp SBEC Brushless ESCs (included)
Battery: Admiral 4S 3,600 mAh LiPo 40C
Radio system: Futaba 8FG transmitter; Futaba R617FS receiver
Ready-to-fly weight: 60 ounces
Flight duration: 4-6 minutes
PLUSES
• Electronic retractable main and nose landing gear.
• U.S. Air Force graphics, hand-painted pilot, detailed cockpit, 30mm gun, and bombs.
• Twin 40-amp ESCs are housed in a special compartment providing effective cooling.
• Twin motors produce more than 1,700 grams of thrust.
• Nylon hinges on all control surfaces.
• Wide flight envelope.
MINUSES
• Optional flaps only have foam hinges.
• Review model was missing a part, but Motion RC quickly provided a replacement.
Although the A-10 Thunderbolt II entered service in the 1970s, intended to target Soviet tanks, it is more prominently known today for its close-air support missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Warthog, as it is commonly known, was credited with the destruction of 967 tanks in the Gulf War alone.
The A-10 is a familiar sight at the AMA in Muncie, Indiana. Two Warthogs occasionally traverse the property en route to destinations unknown. Sadly, this may soon come to an end as the Department of Defense and the Air Force continue discussions on retiring the entire fleet.
Fortunately for the RC electric jet enthusiast interested in piloting a model of the famed tank buster, Motion RC offers the upgraded Freewing A-10. This model includes electronic retracts, metal gear servos, 4S battery capability, dual 40-amp ESCs, and high-speed 2836-3500 Kv motors.
Enough ground school. It’s time to make like Fairchild Republic and get this beautiful Warthog assembled and into flight-ready status!
Assembly
Upon receiving the Freewing A-10, the first order of business was to read the manual cover to cover. The English version of the manual spans 20 pages and includes black-and-white photos of the steps required to assemble the aircraft. The Chinese-to-English instructions leave a little to be desired, but easy enough to follow.
The manual does illustrate and describe how to install the retractable landing gear and assemble the EDF fan units to the motors, although these steps are already complete.
The assembly starts with the tail. The dual rudder servo leads are pressed into a channel on the horizontal stabilizer, and then the vertical stabilizers are glued to the horizontal stabilizer.
Although a tube of glue was included with the model, I chose to use Beacon Foam-Tac because it has proven to be a reliable adhesive.
The dual rudder servo leads are plugged into the leads at the bottom of the fuselage and the entire tail is held in place by two screws.
The elevator is operated by two pushrods, one on each side, that are connected to the preinstalled control horns via clevises. I noticed that one of the two screws attaching one of the control horns to the elevator had not been threaded into the plastic plate that sandwiches the elevator. I easily corrected this, but problems such as that are why it is important to check these items before flight.
The A-10 does provide a flap option and a servo cutout is provided for each wing. Because the flaps are optional, they do not use nylon hinges like the ailerons and are hinged only with foam. I opted to fly the A-10 without flaps, knowing that adding them later is an option.
The armament included with the A-10 includes nine rockets/bombs. The large bomb in the center of the wing is attached with magnets, while the other eight, four on each wing, must be glued on. I decided to only attach four of the bombs/rockets to save weight and make it easier to install flap servos if I decided to add them later. Leaving off the four pieces of armament saved .9 ounces.
The main wing attaches to the fuselage using two screws that screw into a plywood plate in the fuselage. Although two pilot holes were predrilled, mine did not quite align with the screw holes in the wing.
I marked the location of the holes and drilled my own pilot holes with a 5/64 pin vise. I carefully drove the screws in the pilot holes, removed them and used thin CA to harden the wood, being careful not to get any on the foam. The wing was then easily attached. Two fins are added to the bottom sides of the fuselage after the wing is attached to add addition scale appeal.
All of the mounting points, including the tail, wing, and power pod, utilize a plastic insert that ensures the screws can be securely attached without digging into the foam or causing a weak point.
Before attaching the motor pod, I confirmed that both motors were operating in the proper direction. If they are not, simply disconnect two of the three motor wires on either motor and swap the two connections.
The area inside the fuselage to the side and in front of the battery seemed to be logical places to mount a receiver. The Futaba R617FS is a top pin receiver, so I placed it on its side next to the battery with the connections in front of the battery. The receiver, servo wires, and battery/ESC leads must be carefully placed or they can prevent the canopy from properly attaching.
The throws in the manual were used for high and low rates and 20% exponential was used on all controls. The model balanced within the CG range.
The completed model, with all of its preinstalled markings, decals, and armaments, looks absolutely fantastic! This foam model packs plenty of detail right out of the box.
Flying
Before the actual maiden flight, high and low speed taxi tests were done to get a feel for the A-10’s ground-handling capabilities. At high speed, it tracked well with only minor rudder inputs needed to keep it on the centerline. At low speed, the servo throw was more than adequate to maneuver around the pit area and line up on the runway. The steerable nose wheel was effective, but not overly sensitive.
Throttle was gradually applied for the first flight and switched into high rates. The A-10 ran for a distance and with some up-elevator, it leapt into the air. On the trim passes, the A-10 flew nose-heavy, but with some up-trim it flew level and didn’t for power.
Freewing did a great job matching the power system to the airframe. Smooth, scalelike passes can be made at half throttle. A touch more power was needed for rolls or inverted maneuvers. When going into any turnaround maneuvers such as Half Cuban 8s, wingovers, etc., you’ll need to use roughly three-quarters throttle for the verticals.
Switching to low-rates, the A-10 flies smoothly out and it looks like its full-scale counterpart in the air. In an axial roll, the aircraft will drop slightly throughout the roll. On military rolls, entering with a few degrees of climb, the aircraft arched the roll through the sky.
If you like to fly fast, expect a flight time of roughly 4 minutes. If you fly with throttle management and some common sense, you can coax 6 minutes out of the pack. However, when power runs out, there is no gradual decrease in thrust. Instead the power simply stops, turning the A-10 into a glider. So to make sure you have power for all of your landings, set your timer, and use it vigilantly.
Even without flaps, the A-10 slows to a manageable landing speed and seems happiest when touchdown happens under power, using a combination of throttle and slight up-elevator to control decent. This method will provide a nice three-point landing and pleasing rollout.
Conclusion
The Freewing A-10 Thunderbolt II is easily assembled and does a nice job replicating its full-scale counterpart thanks to its preapplied U.S. Air Force graphics. Motion RC was quick to provide the missing servo arm with U-Arm link and the company stocks a full range of replacement parts for the A-10.
The A-10 presents as well on the ground as it does in the air and its only challenge may be in flying it in a gray sky when its colors seem to blend in at a distance.
Intermediate pilots should find the FreewingA-10 to be an enjoyable EDF jet experience.[dingbat]
Jay Smith
[email protected]
MANUFACTURER/DISTRIBUTOR:
Motion RC
28039 W. Commercial Ave., Unit 6
Lake Barrington IL 60010
(224) 633-9090
www.motionrc.com
SOURCES:
Beacon Adhesives
(914) 664-0184
www.beaconadhesives.com
