I have to brag on this one....built by my dad. Scratch built from Uravich plans, it is powered by 2 Saito 91's which provide plenty of power to fly the 21 lb bird. It is controlled with 13 servos driven by a 2 receivers and 2 battery packs. It breaks down into 5 major components for easy transportation and storage, and is set up and assembled on a unique jig-like stand that holds everything in alignment while it is being bolted together.
First public flight was last Saturday, and was amazing....it is very manoeverable, yet very stable. My son and I put it through the paces including loops, rolls, slow flight (full flaps), high G turns. In three flights there was not a single problem, and nothing to be adjusted.


It is modeled after a NASA OV-10 that is used for atmospheric experiments


It is a keeper!

Looks good Nony, Im getting one someday!

I have the plans, the Hobby Hangar laser cut parts, and the bill-of-materials. Last November I started to assemble the left wing panel and then stopped -- other more important projects surfaced following a string of crashes.

1) You say you can break it down into 5 distinct parts for transport and have a framing mechanism (jig) to re-assemble. Please provide your details here if you would (you could email me if you feel it might be to verbose for this forum)

2) 21lbs??? That's quite a bit more than what I heard was normal for this bird (was told 15-18 pounds was normal). What do you attribute the extra weight to? Engine selection?

3) Saito 91s vs OS FX .46??? Is this bird that much overpowered or does the added weight force the need for the 91s?

4) Did you go with the plastic parts or carve out of balsa?

5) Retracts???

6) Dual RXs? -- How did you set this up? Did you split the servo load left and right or mix and match? (mix and match = RX 1:left airlon, right flap, left rudder, left elevator RX 2: right airlon,left flap, right rudder, right elevator etc...)

7.) 13 servos?

1) Left airlon
2) Right airlon
3) Left flap
4) Right flap
5) Left rudder
6) Right rudder
7) Left elevator
8) Right elevator
9) Left throttle
10) Right throttle
11) Nose wheel steering
12) Gear switch
13) Gear swith (?)

8.) 60 degree bell cranks -- were did you get these and or how did you build them.

9.) Did you physicaly split the elevator are do you have 2 servos matched around dead band?

As you can see I have a lot of questions. The plans are a little vague to me but I have never scratched-built an airplane. The article from the magazine helps but it is also limited. I even purchased the smaller version kit this weekend to see if I can get some pointers from it.

Jim I will send you an email later to answer your multiple questions.

A couple I can answer here: It is fixed gear because this was several orders of magnitude larger and more complicated than previous planes my Dad has built. It is one consession to simplicity - however, the gear doors are built in (look by the nosewheel) so no-one will ever know....

The flaps are in 4 sections - each with its own servo. There are 6 servos in the wing, each boom has 3 servos (throttle, elevator and rudder) and one for nosewheel steering. The dual receivers provide some redundancy and are split left and right. It is simpler than running Y harnesses all over the place.

Thanks for the interest.....

Nony wrote ...
I have to brag on this one....built by my dad. Scratch built from Uravich plans
>>>>

Just getting started on mine - have the plans and ordered the laser cut parts from Hobby Hangar. Gonna go with a pair of Saito 91s also. I see that scale or sporty scale struts/retracts will be available from Sierra Precision <http://www.sierraprecision.com/prod16.html>.
Haven't decided which color/paint scheme to go with yet - I'm kinda partial to the Black Ponies ...

Mike

Hi Guys,

I am very interested in the 81" Bronco. Could you please let me know the size of the aircraft components when it is dissssembled so I can work out if it will fit in my car.

Many thanks,

Sarah

1) The wing is 81" and is built as a single piece -- it is a shoulder type wing, don't think you could figure out a way to break it apart for transport and still retain the strength you would need. This would probably be the part that would break or not break your idea of transport in your car.

2) The body, when assembled, is 79" in length. I intend to construct mine so that the horizontal stabilizer is removable for transport. This will enable me to break the 2 nacelles apart. Each nacelle and the fuselage are much shorter than the assembled body, so figure no more than about 60" for each piece.

Well, I was going to buy another car anyway!!!!


Many thanks for the photo, I am actually looking to change my car in the near future for something a bit more practical.

Many thanks, the Bronco looks great!

Nony
The Bronco looks great. and it is a good feeling when you scratch build something and it really groves in the air. espesially a twin.

Thanks, I will pass this on to my Dad....

Nony
Any problem on the tail yet? Looks great. I'm about 50% done and will be powering it with OS 91 Surpass.

Your dad rocks, what a beautiful plane. Hope Im that good someday!

man, this thread keeps on going....and going....and going......

Hoss, the stab mounting was reinforced and is mounted with 2-56 bolts and locknuts. No problems so far. And my son has done a pretty good job or wringing it out! The Surpass is a great engine, and will add some needed weight ahead of the cg.

Beavertail, thanks, I will pass your kudos on to my Dad....

my buddy mike and i are planning on building the OV-10's as well..I already have the plans and laser cut kit.....I am planning to power mine w/ OS .91's and turn 3 blader props....I will expect mine to come in around 19-21 lbs as well...we will fiberglass and paint it....If i chicken out I might just monokote...we'll see....any suggestions appreciated.....any flaws in the design???

For all of you that are building or are thinking of building
the 81" OV-10 Bronco, Sierra Precision is finishing up
on a set of semi-scale retracts. They are going to have
spring loaded, knee action, real looking struts on the
nose and mains. Here is a link to their page.

http://www.sierraprecision.com/prod16.html

Just thought I'd pass this along.

Darrell

Darrell write ...
Just thought I'd pass this along.
>>>

Hi, Darrell ... I gave you a "plug" earlier in the thread Since you ARE Sierra Precision how about giving us an update on Rich's experience with your gear? Has he installed/flown it yet?

Mike

You where asking about the elavator. Well I saw one at a fly-in and he had two Micro hi-tork Digitals. I think they were JRs. There was one on each end, below the stab, up agianst the vetical stab.He said it worked perfect and he didn't like using bell cranks. It looked very nice and clean. Although he didn't separate the booms. He had a tube in the main wing and just removed the outer portion of the wing, and transported the plane pretty much intact.

They are nice planes and maybe one day I will build one.

Kelly

Nice looking Bronco! Mine came out at about 17 pounds with the OS 46's and spring air retracts. The airplane flys very well on the OS motors but it is by no means a barnburner, twin 60's or the 91 four strokes would make a very strong runner. The airplane is very docile and predictable, it floats in like a 40 size trainer and with flaps extended lands at a very slow speed. I have had an engine quit once and the airplane was very controlable with the twin rudder and had enough power to maintain altitude with no problem. during construction I used only one Hitec 605 in the stab instead of the bellcranks, which takes slightly away from the scale outline but was very simple and easy to assemble at the field. good luck with it .