Thanks Fahim
Seems like a nice quick fix for some good rivet detail. I have seen people do it other ways but seems like they have many hours into it.

thanks
chris

Weather has not been too conducive for test flying, so I am waiting for a fair weather day. Meanwhile I continued with the build, adding detail. Here is how I did the Laser Tracker.

The Lockheed-Martin AN/AAS-35(V) Pave Penny is a laser spot tracker carried by US Air Force attack aircraft and fighter-bombers to enable them to track a laser spot on the ground (it does not produce a laser beam itself, so the aircraft can not launch and guide laser-guided bombs against ground targets).

Pave Penny was developed in the mid-1970s based on the earlier AN/AVQ-11 Pave Sword laser tracker used on a few USAF F-4 Phantom II during the Vietnam War, miniaturized using solid-state electronics.

The compact (31 in / 78 cm) pod, which weighs only 32 lb (14.5 kg) is a simple laser spot tracker that searches for reflected laser light from other laser designators (used by friendly air or ground forces) and displays that target information on the aircraft heads-up display (HUD). Unlike the LRMTS (laser ranger and marked target seeker) systems common to European aircraft, or the more sophisticated ASQ-228 ATFLIR, TIALD, and LANTIRN designators, Pave Penny does not actually contain a laser. Pave Penny can recognize specific laser designation signals based on pre-determined four-digit codes encoded into the laser pulse, allowing it to seek out particular targets and ignore others (to avoid, for example, several aircraft hitting the same target). It has no range-finding capability. Pave Penny's nominal range is 20 miles (32 km), although effective range is considerably shorter.

The Pave Penny pod was used by USAF A-7D Corsair II aircraft, fuselage-mounted beneath the engine intake, and the A-10 Thunderbolt II, mounted on an external pylon designed specifically for the pod (see photo top right). It was previously used by some F-16 aircraft, although most now use LANTIRN instead. Some pods were also supplied to Singapore, where they are used on that nation's upgraded A-4SU Super Skyhawks.

Fahim

Someone asked if the flaps were scale so I took another hard look at them. Dimensionally speaking they are to scale, but we do have a visual problem when viewed from above the wing. Fortunately the fix is pretty simple, not requiring any design change, just a change to the construction manual.

Picture 1 & 2 show a comparison of the flaps when viewed from below the wing. Here they look pretty close to scale.
Picture 3 & 4 show the same when viewed from above. Here is the visual problem.
Picture 4 shows the fix.
Picture 5 & 6 show how it will look after the change. The cardboard represents the extended plywood piece.

Fahim

While bench testing I found several minor issues that I have been working on. The battery and some of the servos had to be replaced and a few other adjustments made. Finally we are ready for the test flight. I aslo added more markings and took some more pictures.
Fahim

And some more

Fahim,
Thanks for the invite to the test hop this morning. Flies well and very scale-like, doesn't seem to care about the all up 13+ lbs of weight. Thrust is way more than adequate; should be a winner for you. Good luck with it!!

Rich Uravitch

Thank you Rich. Glad you could join us. Will be posting the video very soon, uploading it to Youtube as we speak.
Fahim

Folks, the wait is over and the enjoyment has begun.

The test flight took place this morning. I had the CG set forward as I like to do for the first flight. It proved to be too far forward and we bumped the nose wheel on take-off. The retract came loose but not did not come off totally. Curt was able to land it safely. A dab of epoxy and a squirt of CA, and batteries moved back about an inch, and we were ready for the second flight.

She flew like a champ. Take-off, fast flight, slow flight, rolls, verticals, and landing were perfect. Could not have asked for more. Looks and flies very scale, and has enough power with the 90mm's and the 8S 5AH battery. Most of the flight was at 1/2 throttle, except for the verticals of course.

Click on the link below and scroll down to mid page and click on the video screen.
http://www.wowplanes.com/product_inf...34b934ae4b5c96


Let me know what you think.
Fahim

The kit is now available and can be ordered at
http://www.wowplanes.com/product_inf...5e505df2e7f9f0

I found this footage of the real A10 in action. Hope you enjoy it, it sure is one awesome machine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EaSO...eature=related

Fahim, I have been in the background reading this build thread and have to say it was super! Not to get into too much detail.For a while now I have been flying a Hong Kong A-10,( 43" ws 75mm fans) and love the thing! Well this past weekend it crashed itself (Two screws holding the left motor in fell out). Right now I am rebuilding it with retracts and new fans etc. I would really like to build one of your kits right after the first of the year (late Jan.- early Feb.) Will these still be availible?

Hi Beagleone,
Yes indeed they will be available. I have no plans to go anywhere.
Fahim

While waiting for things, I worked on the detail cockpit kit. It is available as an option with the A10 and comes with an integral pilot. The assembly is pretty straightforward, just 7 plastic parts glued together and painted.

Sure makes a big difference to the looks. It is overcast today, so the pictures were taken inside. I will take more pictures on a sunny day and post them.

Fahim

that plane is an amaizing work of art.

ont thing, it might be to late, but in future builds, epoxy is really heavy as you mentiond but have you ever considered microballons, it really lightens the epoxy and i think it keeps the same weaight...... just my 2 cents, i wouldnt use it on firewalls...etc... though. i always liked the a-10, i always look at it as an agressive plane.

matt......

Thanks for the tip, I will try that on my next build.
Fahim

Here are some daylight shots of the cockpit as promised. Then I just had to let the pilot take her up.

Fahim

looks really good.
here is a link for microballons, they are avaiable locally at most lhs's.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...XHZ15&P=FR
good luck

matt......

Thanks. A less expensive source can be a local workshop that does FG work, such as a boat repair shop. They sell it in 1/2 gal bottles.
Fahim

thats cool, never thought of that.

They also have epoxy glue and FG cloth at lower prices.

Nice plane. I really enjoyed following this build thread.

Thanks,
Dave

Thanks Dave. Glad you enjoyed my build. How about building one for yourself now.
Fahim

Hello Fahim, I have been thru the build again and I didn't see any reference to the fan unit used. I did see that you used a Mega Motors 22/30/3 for a motor. I am going to order a kit sooner than I thought. But in the intrim I am just getting a good list of things to go with it. I will order all the accesories (retracts, cockpit, rivets, etc.) from you also. I am getting real itchy to start, but I know I have to take my time. I have a 450 size OH-6 scale heli that I am working on, Also I have a 28 year old PICA T-28 that I am rebuilding so I have a couple of things plate yet.

I have completed the construction manual on my website and it has a little more detail than the thread.
Any 90mm fan can be used. I moved the Wemotec Midi 90mm from my old smaller A10.
HC has a 90mm fan listed for under $25. I have not used it but it looks good in the pictures. Does any have experience with this one, pls chime in.
I am stocking up on the kits right now, so any time you want to order is fine.
Fahim

Here are some in-flight pictures from the maiden. I finally got around to sorting them out. Hope you will enjoy them.
I don't know if it is just me, but there is something about the A10 that makes it stand out in flight compared to most.
Fahim