- Cleaned up and honking on a fast flyby . . . this is a fearsome aircraft!
I've had so many folks buying servos, extensions, and batteries for the gorgeous Hangar 9 OV-10 Bronco I've put this guide together in self-defense (else I'm repeating myself several times a week).
First, and to be frank, I completely understand the attraction of this 30cc powered OV-10 because I saw it fly (a bunch) whilst attending Top Gun in Lakeland, FL. I was there visiting with Bret Becker, who used ProModeler servos in his Lockheed U-2. If you're not in that loop, that's the model with which he won the title Mr. Top Gun, (e.g the top award) two years running!
- Bret Becker, his Lockheed U-2, and a fair bit of deserved hardware!
Second, the crew at Horizon seemingly kept a Bronco in the air the whole time . . . and to me it seems to fly ever bit as good as it looks - fantastic!
Third, allow me to add (because I'd be remiss if I didn't mention how great the trailing link landing gear system handles the occasional rough spots in the sod part of that field), this thing handles rough terrain with aplomb! Basically it plows through the rough like a freaking ATV, seriously!
- Down and dirty - flaps out, gear down, final approach - it's solid as a rock!
Servo and other equipment recommendations
Anyway, this is what you need servo-wise . . . and note, all three servo recommendations sport all-metal gear trains - but - our better and best alternatives are equipped with all-steel gears. Cost more, too - surprised?
Steel really matters when using gassers for power (because of the high vibration level of the single-cylinder engines). Matters less so, with electric powered version. Anyway, I offer this by way of a heads up, eh? Not trying to 'sell' you something. Just information so you make the best decision for your circumstances, capice?
So, here goes . . .
Servos for the model (ranked in order of good, better, best)
You can also mix and match, like a D505BLHV on elevator (but if it were mine, I'd make a set of mounts to use two of these on elevator instead of one servo), with your choice of DS360 or D415 on the flight controls, plus a pair of DS90DLHV instead of DS360DLHV to save $20 each for the two throttle servos - after all, there's no need to throw money needlessly at a low torque requirement, agreed? Point being, savvy shopping lets you equip it with the best for little more than good or better.
Servo arms
Speaking of the elevator servo, let's talk about servo arms for it and the rest of the flight controls (plus throttle and retract doors):
Also, remember to get your extensions at the same time.https://www.promodeler.com/servo-extensions.aspx
. . . yes, there are a butt load of extensions but there's no point in putting them off because without them you're dead in the water servo-wise (so you may as well open one box and have what you'll need).
Extensions (for the plane itself)
Servos for the retract doors - two choices, good, better and best
Extensions for the retracts (separate from the ones for the model)
Batteries for the retracts
Last thing; Horizon is on a roll selling the PowerSafe system. I
don't buy it because batteries are the single most reliable part of the
whole avionics package! What sucks are switches. So if it were me, I'd
run one B2S5000 for powering the control-electronics and two switches
for safety, but whatever.
Control power battery
Final notes;
The D205BLHV is head and shoulders a better servo than the DS110 or DS160 but it's more money and you're already spending a boat load on servos and accessories so I almost hesitate to mention this - but - I'd be negligent if I didn't at least mention this because you'll probably repurpose them some day, when A) you'll have long forgotten the extra dough and B) be very glad you ponied up the extra.
Also, depending on the engines, you may need two more packs for the ignition modules. If it were me, I'd use the same as for the retracts.
In closing, you're embarking on a wonderful journey, have fun!
- John
- End of day, sun going down, this is what scale modeling is all about!
Last thing; we have David Hart of CapturedFromThe Hart.com to thank for these gorgeous Bronco images. As one of our country's most talented sports photographers, we gratefully acknowledge his gracious permission to share these.
But note; these represent but the tip of the iceberg. Why? Simple, it's because if you're an aficionado of world class aviation, automotive, and nature photography, then stop in and visit his Flickr and scope out albums on model aviation, full scale aviation, his gorgeous '63 Impala, and more.
Bottom line? If I say he creates art . . . no, I'm not overstating the case!