FT Bronco, this thing needs more love, it is awesome! Review and maiden video inside.

PJF

Member
Greetings fellow Flite Testers!

I very rarely post but I had to make this one to show off what I think is just an awesome plane.

I have always had a soft spot for twin engine planes because they sound so great in the air. I also happen to think the Bronco it is a really sexy plane. So I decided I had to build one and see how it flew. There isn't a whole lot of reviews or YouTube videos of the FT Bronco but I decided to go for it anyway because how bad could it be????

I originally printed all the tiled plans, taped them together, and starting cutting them out with an X-Acto. Before I was through the first sheet I realized how much I hated building from plans so I ordered a kit from Flite Test and of course it showed up in just a couple of days, their customer service is definitely top notch.

It took me three evenings to assemble the basic kit and I have to say even in just bare foam it looked super sexy! It is a really easy model to build and any questions you might have are very clearly answered in the YouTube build video.

KIO4Ta4.jpg


I decided to power it in the following manner and it is probably WAY overkill:

Flash Hobby D2830 1300kV motor x2
Generic 30A ESC x2
3300 mAh 14.8V 60C 4S battery
9x5 Props

I used a very basic Spektrum 4 channel radio so no differential thrust. As such I added rudders to the plane but honestly it probably doesn't even need them. It works fantasticly well as a yank and bank model! The rudders definitely work but I find myself using them sparingly.

I am not a huge fan of wings rubber banded to the fuselage so I decided to slightly modify the build to accept nylon bolts to hold the wing on. I think it looks much cleaner this way. I also took inspiration from www.broncodemoteam.com for my color scheme. I love their planes and the way they fly them so this is my tribute to what they do!

kCSsqJL.jpg



Here is a shot of the Bronco beside my Stick. As you can see they are very similar in size. But the power and speed difference is staggering. When you pour the coal to the Bronco it is shockingly fast and climbs like a rocket. This thing would probably make a fantastic combat plane if you wanted to. And before anyone says anything, yes my Stick has the wing rubber banded on. I hate it haha. I just haven't gotten around to retrofitting it to a bolt on wing yet.

UdmZKgl.jpg



And finally a video of the maiden flight with this thing. It was taken with my very low tech GoPro head mount. Unfortunately the wind kicked up not long after I took off. This is the most interesting parts of the 9 minute maiden. With the 3300 mAh 4S 9 minutes was nothing, it could have gone 3-4 minutes longer at least. This plane requires very little power to stay airborne and WOT is really not needed, at all! Most of this flight was 1/3 to 1/2 throttle. The plane is shockingly powerful with this setup!

It has an absolutely beautiful and realistic look in the air that is incredibly pleasing, to me at least. The sound of twin props is something I just love and of course this plane doesn't disappoint, it comes through quite clearly at several points in the video. This entire video is shot with the throws set to low. I have yet to find a need for any more throw than what I have in this video. The surfaces are VERY effective. I don't fly with any expo so it might be less twitchy if I did but that is how I like to fly. Vertical performance with this setup is nothing short of astonishing, the plane will easily climb out of sight straight up at WOT in just a few seconds, it is amazing. I ended up balancing the plane about 1/2" further forward than the recommended CG. It was very tail heavy in this video and moving the CG forward made it far more user friendly, at least to me. Anyway enjoy my Bronco maiden flight!



So that is it. I highly recommend building one of these babies. I have no idea why it isn't more popular. Maybe the Sea Duck outshadows it? I don't know, but for the 40 dollar kit price it is really hard to beat, I love mine!
 

tomlogan1

Well-known member
Greetings fellow Flite Testers!

I very rarely post but I had to make this one to show off what I think is just an awesome plane.

I have always had a soft spot for twin engine planes because they sound so great in the air. I also happen to think the Bronco it is a really sexy plane. So I decided I had to build one and see how it flew. There isn't a whole lot of reviews or YouTube videos of the FT Bronco but I decided to go for it anyway because how bad could it be????

I originally printed all the tiled plans, taped them together, and starting cutting them out with an X-Acto. Before I was through the first sheet I realized how much I hated building from plans so I ordered a kit from Flite Test and of course it showed up in just a couple of days, their customer service is definitely top notch.

It took me three evenings to assemble the basic kit and I have to say even in just bare foam it looked super sexy! It is a really easy model to build and any questions you might have are very clearly answered in the YouTube build video.

KIO4Ta4.jpg


I decided to power it in the following manner and it is probably WAY overkill:

Flash Hobby D2830 1300kV motor x2
Generic 30A ESC x2
3300 mAh 14.8V 60C 4S battery
9x5 Props

I used a very basic Spektrum 4 channel radio so no differential thrust. As such I added rudders to the plane but honestly it probably doesn't even need them. It works fantasticly well as a yank and bank model! The rudders definitely work but I find myself using them sparingly.

I am not a huge fan of wings rubber banded to the fuselage so I decided to slightly modify the build to accept nylon bolts to hold the wing on. I think it looks much cleaner this way. I also took inspiration from www.broncodemoteam.com for my color scheme. I love their planes and the way they fly them so this is my tribute to what they do!

kCSsqJL.jpg



Here is a shot of the Bronco beside my Stick. As you can see they are very similar in size. But the power and speed difference is staggering. When you pour the coal to the Bronco it is shockingly fast and climbs like a rocket. This thing would probably make a fantastic combat plane if you wanted to. And before anyone says anything, yes my Stick has the wing rubber banded on. I hate it haha. I just haven't gotten around to retrofitting it to a bolt on wing yet.

UdmZKgl.jpg



And finally a video of the maiden flight with this thing. It was taken with my very low tech GoPro head mount. Unfortunately the wind kicked up not long after I took off. This is the most interesting parts of the 9 minute maiden. With the 3300 mAh 4S 9 minutes was nothing, it could have gone 3-4 minutes longer at least. This plane requires very little power to stay airborne and WOT is really not needed, at all! Most of this flight was 1/3 to 1/2 throttle. The plane is shockingly powerful with this setup!

It has an absolutely beautiful and realistic look in the air that is incredibly pleasing, to me at least. The sound of twin props is something I just love and of course this plane doesn't disappoint, it comes through quite clearly at several points in the video. This entire video is shot with the throws set to low. I have yet to find a need for any more throw than what I have in this video. The surfaces are VERY effective. I don't fly with any expo so it might be less twitchy if I did but that is how I like to fly. Vertical performance with this setup is nothing short of astonishing, the plane will easily climb out of sight straight up at WOT in just a few seconds, it is amazing. I ended up balancing the plane about 1/2" further forward than the recommended CG. It was very tail heavy in this video and moving the CG forward made it far more user friendly, at least to me. Anyway enjoy my Bronco maiden flight!



So that is it. I highly recommend building one of these babies. I have no idea why it isn't more popular. Maybe the Sea Duck outshadows it? I don't know, but for the 40 dollar kit price it is really hard to beat, I love mine!
My favorite as well. Please provide details on how you modified the Bronco to have the wings bolted on.
 

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Yankee2003

Well-known member
I agree, this plane is underrated for the price. I have probably 30 flights on mine. She is a real stable flier and hand launches so easy.
But differential thrust is the way to go on this bird. Looks and flies great.
 

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AIRFORGE

Make It Fly!
Moderator
I might have a pic during the first build. I changed the wing a few times. It was originally an Explorer. I'll look, and post when I find it.
 

PJF

Member
Awesome builds !!! I have a 175% scaled up version on YouTube

DUDE!!! That is killer. Nice job scaling it up!

Twins just sound so awesome in the air, and yours sounds GREAT. You can hear those props really digging in. Also the excitement in your voice is really cool.

SUPER sweet landing too!!!

:)

Awesome job and thanks for sharing! My Bronco is in a pile in the corner of the shop right now. It really needs to be glued back together so I can get back out and tear things up again with it. It is such an awesome plane. You have motivated me my friend!

***EDIT*** I just watched your video again and I see you built yours as a pusher and NOT a twin. It sounds amazing in the air and I would have sworn it was a twin! Either way very, very cool!
 

Sayless3800

New member
DUDE!!! That is killer. Nice job scaling it up!

Twins just sound so awesome in the air, and yours sounds GREAT. You can hear those props really digging in. Also the excitement in your voice is really cool.

SUPER sweet landing too!!!

:)

Awesome job and thanks for sharing! My Bronco is in a pile in the corner of the shop right now. It really needs to be glued back together so I can get back out and tear things up again with it. It is such an awesome plane. You have motivated me my friend!

***EDIT*** I just watched your video again and I see you built yours as a pusher and NOT a twin. It sounds amazing in the air and I would have sworn it was a twin! Either way very, very cool!
Twin was the original goal , my twin otter from horizon hobby has been out of commission and that’s my only twin engine in the fleet so I was struck with the blues and flite test bronco was my remedy . Ran out of patience and went with a pusher . Waking up everyday seeing this massive beast not flying was killing me . I am awaiting 2 60a esc’s and counter 3 blade props to convert this to a twin . Might even make it a twin with the pusher in the rear we’ll see I don’t want to get too carried away . How ever belly landings and hand launches aren’t my style . Come to find out the bronco can take off from its belly just not as beautiful to watch lol . I make landing gear with a steerable nose wheel and it’s amazing I will post another video soon . The landing are the softest and being about to correct on take off is a plus . Being this has a 60a avian esc from Spektrum the bronco does have reverse thrust !! All the new updates will be posted soon . This is my first thread and I’m still sorting things out bear with me I appreciate you all . This hobby is truely better when shared with others . I ThAnkyou you all
 
Greetings fellow Flite Testers!

I very rarely post but I had to make this one to show off what I think is just an awesome plane.

I have always had a soft spot for twin engine planes because they sound so great in the air. I also happen to think the Bronco it is a really sexy plane. So I decided I had to build one and see how it flew. There isn't a whole lot of reviews or YouTube videos of the FT Bronco but I decided to go for it anyway because how bad could it be????

I originally printed all the tiled plans, taped them together, and starting cutting them out with an X-Acto. Before I was through the first sheet I realized how much I hated building from plans so I ordered a kit from Flite Test and of course it showed up in just a couple of days, their customer service is definitely top notch.

It took me three evenings to assemble the basic kit and I have to say even in just bare foam it looked super sexy! It is a really easy model to build and any questions you might have are very clearly answered in the YouTube build video.

KIO4Ta4.jpg


I decided to power it in the following manner and it is probably WAY overkill:

Flash Hobby D2830 1300kV motor x2
Generic 30A ESC x2
3300 mAh 14.8V 60C 4S battery
9x5 Props

I used a very basic Spektrum 4 channel radio so no differential thrust. As such I added rudders to the plane but honestly it probably doesn't even need them. It works fantasticly well as a yank and bank model! The rudders definitely work but I find myself using them sparingly.

I am not a huge fan of wings rubber banded to the fuselage so I decided to slightly modify the build to accept nylon bolts to hold the wing on. I think it looks much cleaner this way. I also took inspiration from www.broncodemoteam.com for my color scheme. I love their planes and the way they fly them so this is my tribute to what they do!

kCSsqJL.jpg



Here is a shot of the Bronco beside my Stick. As you can see they are very similar in size. But the power and speed difference is staggering. When you pour the coal to the Bronco it is shockingly fast and climbs like a rocket. This thing would probably make a fantastic combat plane if you wanted to. And before anyone says anything, yes my Stick has the wing rubber banded on. I hate it haha. I just haven't gotten around to retrofitting it to a bolt on wing yet.

UdmZKgl.jpg



And finally a video of the maiden flight with this thing. It was taken with my very low tech GoPro head mount. Unfortunately the wind kicked up not long after I took off. This is the most interesting parts of the 9 minute maiden. With the 3300 mAh 4S 9 minutes was nothing, it could have gone 3-4 minutes longer at least. This plane requires very little power to stay airborne and WOT is really not needed, at all! Most of this flight was 1/3 to 1/2 throttle. The plane is shockingly powerful with this setup!

It has an absolutely beautiful and realistic look in the air that is incredibly pleasing, to me at least. The sound of twin props is something I just love and of course this plane doesn't disappoint, it comes through quite clearly at several points in the video. This entire video is shot with the throws set to low. I have yet to find a need for any more throw than what I have in this video. The surfaces are VERY effective. I don't fly with any expo so it might be less twitchy if I did but that is how I like to fly. Vertical performance with this setup is nothing short of astonishing, the plane will easily climb out of sight straight up at WOT in just a few seconds, it is amazing. I ended up balancing the plane about 1/2" further forward than the recommended CG. It was very tail heavy in this video and moving the CG forward made it far more user friendly, at least to me. Anyway enjoy my Bronco maiden flight!



So that is it. I highly recommend building one of these babies. I have no idea why it isn't more popular. Maybe the Sea Duck outshadows it? I don't know, but for the 40 dollar kit price it is really hard to beat, I love mine!
Has anyone built a Bronco with flaps?