GWS A-10 MOD's

[Dutkoski]

Just before X-Mas, I treated myself to a kit, well, sort of speak, a GWS A-10 Warthog. I saw on the "other" electric forum that it was quite a number for retrofiting the power system. Well, the WeMoTec Micro fans actually slip right in where the whimpy GWS fans are supposed to go. To make the most of the modification, I sanded the inside of the fan shroud at the front to a sharpe edge so it blends into the foam nacelle. I made a quick thrust tube plug so the fan sweep area is the same diameter as the exit portion of the thrust tube. Then moulded a couple of very light weight thrust tubes and scotch taped them together. Then I did a comparison test between the two systems. The advertized watts generated by the two GWS fans is only 42 watts. On the two Micro fans and ordinary Speed 300 canned motors, I got 110 watts of power from 8 cells, 2000 mah NiMH cells. They are the same size as CP-1700's but a bit lighter.
The advertized all up weight of the plane was around 25 oz. I think ( lost the info ) but mine is now a few oz's heavier due to the size of the cells. Once the weather gets nicer, I'll give it a go and see how it performs.

[aubej]

Very nice!

Keep us posted.

Jason

[Airnut]

It looks great! how did you finish it?

[Dutkoski]

I wanted to airbrush the colours, they're Tamiya Acrylic plastic model paints. But, the old airbrush was acting up, so I simply brushed the paint on. Seemed to work out well and there was no noticable weight gain. I didn't even clear coat the plane hoping to save weight.

[NorseHammer]

There is another version of the Warthog listed at Great Hobbies, it appears to be using the slightly larger 55 fans, driven by 300 motors. Does anyone know if this is infact correct?

Thanks In Advance

[Dutkoski]

Yep, that's correct. GWS upgraded their plane and at least the fans look like they will do the trick. They still make the impellors out of that flexible orange plastic though, but it's a lot better apparently then the original fans.

[stryker]

Hi guys

I also recently purchased the GWS 10 with the new 55 fans and have just about completed the build. The only mods I made, was putting a hung on the canopy instead of glglueingown. I also added more detail to the model without adaddingny weight using carbon weathering techniques. I have not added any landing gear as I intend to hand launch and also want to keep the weight down. I am undecided as yet, but think I will use higher voltage lipos instead of nmh. Not good for the motor I know, but it will give that extra power it will need, especially for hand launching.
I have attached a few pics.

[NorseHammer]

I've picked up a couple of EDF 55H's and taken the brushed motors out and replaced them with HiMaxx 2015-5400 brushless motors, they take 3 cell LiPo's and run hour after hour without complaint. They give an additional 5000 rpm over the brushed motors and draw about an amp an a half less doing it. The total cost well, that's the down side. They each need their own brushless ESC as well as the much higher initial cost. Oh and you need to add a carbon spar to the wing or the wing snaps during agressive manuevering. There is always a cost of perfomance I guess. I need a new twin EDF project the electricals (servo's, esc's, motors, fans, receiver) are the only thing left now.

[Muldoer]

Hey Norsehammer, I have a Radio Commande Magazine plan of a Depron Su-25 that uses the same fans as the A-10. I'll see if I can get it either scanned or copied for you.

[NorseHammer]

That would be wonderful!, the Mrs. was giving me the gears over the short lifespan of my A10 'investment' ordering another right away isn't going to win me any points with her and the family.


Moe

[Rogerball]

Hi All,,,

I purchase a A-10 last summer, and been reading many post on the way of construct the "HOG", (structure re-enforcing, power set-up view, ) and I still didn't start building yiet.

Many saying I should go brushless and Lipo,, is someone could tell me what power set-up I should go for,, for now I have those 55f- with 150 motor from the kit,, and how much will be the cost of those Brushless and Lipo ?

And I plan to make it heavyer for scale propose and I have a plan to do inner fuel tank on inner pilon that I will do (in foam materiel) to land on instead of the belly wing landing.

So thanks in advance for your futur reply to my questions.

HAppy A-10 patrol flight 8)

[Dutkoski]

Howdy,

The setup I used is the WeMoTec Mirco fans and the stock Speed 300's, together I'm getting 110 watts of power. I'm using 2000 MaH NMh batteries. If you querry the E-Zone, you'll find alot of chaps have gone to brushless motors and Lipo's, but they have used the WeMoTec setup. This was before GWS came out with the 55 mm fans. I haven't tried these fans with brushless motors, but I'm sure someone has and you mght even find a report on the setup.
My A-10 is finished but has been sitting on the workbench all winter. I should at least get it into the air once, huh.

[Noin]

The problem with the GWS 55 are that they are not so capable of handling the higher rpms that a brushless setup will produce. If you are not going to swith to brushless then the GWS 55s are fine. I have heard of 2 different setups that use a brushless system, one of them uses a 2 cell lipo and the other a 3 cell. I have read a lot about this plane and the brushless setups as I am planning to get one as soon as I can afford the "investment".

One other thing I would recommend is to use some carbon fiber strips, the flat type, on the inside of the fuse for as long a section as you can fit, especially above the wing saddle as this is the weakest point in the fuse. It will crack easily if your landings are not perfect. Also replacing the bamboo rod the holds the nacelles in place with some carbon rod is another recommended modification.

I can't wait to get mine as this plane looks amazing in flight and has always been one of my favorites.

[Rogerball]

Hidy you guy's,,

Thanks for the good reply,, I knew I had that to re-inforce that bird at so many place,, thanks,, got some pic's on a other site forum,, but I got a question,, are you guy's building the A-10 version 38.1 inch wing one,,, or the one with I heard have a longuer wing,, I thing more into glider type,,,

I was thinking to purchase a wing that version from GWS cause I want to hadd some weight,, (for scale propose),, but can they sale the wing a part from the kit ???

And one other question come into my mind,, ESC what is my better choise for those other fan & motor then GWS 55f-300 motors ? ,,, for the 38.1 inch version, and they other wing (glider type), and those would they be stronger and better to fly the bird with more weight then what propose GWS weight Max limit propose ? :roll:

I'm new to those electric facts and understanding, so your experience are my better choice at this time Guy's !

And I will consider your power set-up experience from you guy's,, thanks

See you soon,, 8)

[Noin]

GWS only makes one version of airframe for the A-10. I think you are reffering to the "Slope Soarer" version. What that means is GWS sells the foam pieces for all of the aircraft they make. That is just the foam pieces not the motor or other parts included in a full kit. Why they call it a slope version I don't know, would have been better to call it a short kit.

[Rogerball]

Hi,,,

You mean that I could get the part for the longuer wing version alone ?,, with out the hole kit to buy ?,, that I want to do,, buy the longuer wing only,, is that what you meen //

see yea !

[Noin]

No, what I mean is there is not a longer version available from GWS. The slope version is just a foam parts bag of the same foam parts in the complete kit.