A-10 twins

[Apple Pie]

Can anyone provide an estimate of what total thrust would be needed to fly the A-10 in a BDF configuration? I'm thinking of building one and I'm going through some pre-thought planning first. I've designed my own 3D printed ducted fan housing for a 28mm OD motor of which I currently have two varieties: 2212-2200kv and 2205-2300kv. I threw both motors on my thrust test stand (not in ducted fan mode) this morning and using a 5" 3 blade prop (for which I have designed and printed the housing) and a 3S battery I was getting 790 grams thrust from the 2212-2200kv and 670 grams thrust for the 2205-2300kv motor. So I'm estimating around 1600 grams total thrust would be possible from the 2212 motors. I stupidly didn't test the 2205 with a 4S battery because ... well ... I didn't think of it at the time. Not sure the 2212 GForce motors are rated for 4S either. Anyways, I'm still doing some early thinking and would appreciate any feedback.

 

[Apple Pie]

 

[The Hangar]

Well my 70% A-10 started off as a twin B pack but today I ordered two 64mm edf's for it! They should hopefully be here in a week or so and then I'll update you on the build. @Tonero311 how are your A-10's coming along?

 

[Tonero311]

Well my 70% A-10 started off as a twin B pack but today I ordered two 64mm edf's for it! They should hopefully be here in a week or so and then I'll update you on the build. @Tonero311 how are your A-10's coming along?

Nice one. Look forward to seeing that. This week started back to work again. Unfortunately with the lockdown the A-10's had been side lined due to needing funds for parts, but with work starting up again and restrictions looking like they are going to be eased very soon, this has jumped right back on my radar.
I pulled the prop one out yesterday to begin painting. 2 tins of grey paint later and only the nacelles and about 1/3 of the fuse is done. Going on the hunt for more on Monday. Grab about 10 tins or so of grey, white and black. Might just attempt an arctic camo paint job on this one. See how brave I am after the grey is done.
Think today I'll get control horns, servos and flaps sorted for the wing. Get the same done for the elevator too.
Even after this one is finished, I need to wait on my local club opening again. Trying to fly this at my normal space would be far too challenging/dangerous.
I'll chuck some pics up when I get a chance.

 

[Tonero311]

Decided to go a more complicated way to make my spoiler flaps😂. KISS has gone clean out the window now.
First 8 pieces of my linkages cut out and dressed, another 4 or 8 mating parts to go. Let's see if it just doesn't fall apart mid air.

 

[Tonero311]

Flap hinges nearly complete and ready to be installed. Just a few spacers to make and glue in, then move onto the actual flap plate next. Servos for this will be above the wing like the ailerons with a control horn activating through a slot in the wing. Plan is to use Dubro HD control horns, iron the edges of the plates and if needs be I'll put a CF tube in if I need more strength.

 

[Tonero311]

All clamped up ready for glue. Think this is going to be a CA and needle job.

 

[Tonero311]

Flaps are nearly there. Linkages all assembled and final control horn glue setting now. Hopefully get this area of the build glued in tomorrow when I'm sure the current glue is completely cured.

 

[Tonero311]

All ready to go in the wing tomorrow.

 

[The Hangar]

Well I’ve got A-10 Twins - kind of... My buddy bought two of the UMX A-10’s and passed one of them on to me!

 

[Tonero311]

Well I’ve got A-10 Twins - kind of... My buddy bought two of the UMX A-10’s and passed one of them on to me!
View attachment 169201 View attachment 169202

Awesome. Wish I had a buddy like that. Had my eye on them more than once, though I don't dare trust my flying skills to a BNF like that. Let me know what you think of it, don't forget the obligatory video😉.

 

[Tonero311]

Spoiler flaps are finally finished as well as ailerons. Threw a video up of them operating. Tell me what you think. How strong and useful they will be time will tell. I'll need to be careful landing and suck those things up right before it hits the dirt.
The control horns for my ailerons are massive. I got a bit lazy and just used the last 2 copies left over from making the flaps hinge/bracket anchors. The throw on them is huge 😂 that's definitely going to need to be dialled back.
Whilst I was here I tied up a few loose ends as well with the wing. Cut the ailerons and ironed the hinges and exposed edges. This give it massive throws and kept the strength well too on the surfaces. Got the outer edges of the wing sealed with the iron too.
The wing now just needs its Rx fitted, XT60 soldered onto the battery wires and an external UBEC soldered in further up. Then its spray paint time.
Here's a video of my flaps in action too.

 

[Tonero311]

So got the next load of carbon fibre tube in. Wing tie downs are 5mm tube expoxyed in with thick guitar pick doublers giving it a good anchor to prevent milling out. Give the battery hatch the same CF treatment instead of BBQ sqewer. The elevator skewer is now CF as well.
Ordered bigger 120x6mm elastic bands for wing tie downs. The wing on the edf model though I think is going to have to be more solid.
Couldn't wait any longer and give the wing and nacelles a spray with grey primer. It doesn't match what was done on the fuselage before, but it'll not be hard to cover over that.
Started work on the template for the nose art. Next job is to scan it for my rough work space and start work with inkscape to graft and shape something to fit. If this works I'll just print straight onto white sticker paper and cut it down with a scalpel.
Looking forward to getting this finished.
Will post pics later of progress. Starting to wonder what size battery I will need. Need to get that ordered and ready.

 

[Tonero311]

Wiring terminated, soldered and labelled up. That's the birds nest neatened ready for the receiver to be stuck toward trailing edge of wing. Plenty of room for a flight controller there if I had one to put in yet, lol. May make it easier with launch assist as well though will need a better transmitter(radiomaster TX16S is looking tastey) with more mixes. Could even mix my split flaps into the ailerons for normal flight. Ah well, need to keep it simple for now until funds build a little more.
Grey spray paint nearly finished. Full assembly photo up to this point to come as soon as last coat I just put on is dry.
Transmitter programmed with differential thrust and split flaps.
It's getting so close. Soon I will have this thing fly, so very soon.

 

[Tonero311]

Ta-Dah! Not be long now. Just need a receiver and battery and its ready to fly. Mean time the canopy needs painted black and shark mouth nose art to set it off.

 

[The Hangar]

Ta-Dah! Not be long now. Just need a receiver and battery and its ready to fly. Mean time the canopy needs painted black and shark mouth nose art to set it off.

Wow, looks really good!

 

[Tonero311]

So after thinking hard for a few days. I have nobody except myself that can launch this, what happens if I crash it trying to launch, what if I have an oh dear moment, etc. Came to one logical conclusion, flight stabilizer with launch assist and RTH. Zohd Kopilot lite is on the way😁.

 

[dap35]

So after thinking hard for a few days. I have nobody except myself that can launch this, what happens if I crash it trying to launch, what if I have an oh dear moment, etc. Came to one logical conclusion, flight stabilizer with launch assist and RTH. Zohd Kopilot lite is on the way😁.

What about some simple landing gear?

 

[Tonero311]

What about some simple landing gear?

Next one gets retracts. I like the clean lines too much of this model. I think it will lose something with its pants hanging down like. Plus the pure OCD will make me want to put in a proper support structure and probably use at least 2-2.5mm stainless wire so it has a better chance of not bending. Though in hindsight, it does need landing gear.

 

[Tonero311]

Canopy painting is finished. Its rough, but will do the job. Receiver came as well so I'll get that all connected up and tested today. I don't think I'll be about to use the zohd kopilot on this A-10. Can't find any info on connecting up to twin motors and throttle rudder mixing with it. Kind of stumped on that one. Pics to follow later.