Official Freewing MiG-29 Fulcrum Twin 80mm Thread

[jetpltrich]

I got my MiG-29 several months ago and came on here and inserted my foot in my mouth about the CG on this plane. I re-evaluated what I said and concluded I'd move the CG index back 10mm and the flew it. First flight was super pitch sensitive (not enough expo) and the left main turned sideways, I left the gear and T/O flaps down and landed ripping the left main wheel almost off. I then hung it from the ceiling and decided I'd fly other planes and peruse this post for further info on Alpha lock and issues. After numerous conversations with Glider Guy I decided to get the TV conversion kit from MotionRC and see if indeed I could fly it comfortably. One of my own modifications was to eliminate the gear doors. I do not like the delay the factory puts in the system. When I select gear up or down I want it moving not dilly dallying. In my opinion the doors should snap open/close and the gear moves. So the gear door removed and the gear wires are direct to the RX.

With that I flew the MiG yesterday and found it pitchy, I added a little more expo and flew it this morning with a RunCam on the left inboard pylon. I'm considering moving the CG index back another 5mm and see how that works. I also ran the batteries low with a range check issue and figured I had enough to get a 2:30 flight but as I headed her back towards me I was losing altitude and didn't hear any jet whine. So I did a classic military 360 pitch out/break and dumped the gear and landed... she floated in beautifully and I got the best landing ever. Understand I'm no Airgardian pilot but I hope you all like the attached video. This plane is big and presents itself well. The way I fly it is very predictable. My field is surrounded by 110 foot trees so I have to fly high to see out of the bowl of trees.

Rich

[Airguardian]

Hahahaha!
Good thinking!
But our jet isn't the MiG-35 so not truly scale, lol. (wish it was though!)

Here's some more TV exploration with an unfortunate crash at the end. I got the plane repaired anyway and it's flying again. ;)

[killickb]

Have not seen this as part of any of your flight demos ? Maybe a strip of paper with a light adhesive might work but precise timing may be difficult !

[Airguardian]

Oopsie... sh- happens!

[radfordc]

oh - one of those...🤣🤣

what fans did you put in...?

you had to delete the air brake to do the dual batteries, correct?

what batts and esc's are you using...?

I was really just looking for a fan upgrade, so i put the FMS 70mm in it. still only going to run 1 batt...

I used the FMS fans. Best I refer you to the Su-30 thread for all the gritty detail. Start at page 33

https://www.hobbysquawk.com/forum/rc-airplanes/rc-military-jets/217417-new-fms-eflite-su-30-coming-soon/page33#post340539

[jasmith41]

My Su-30 does have upgraded fans. Also, dual batteries.

oh - one of those...🤣🤣

what fans did you put in...?

you had to delete the air brake to do the dual batteries, correct?

what batts and esc's are you using...?

I was really just looking for a fan upgrade, so i put the FMS 70mm in it. still only going to run 1 batt...

[radfordc]

i should have been more clear - i meant in the EFL SU-30.

you're saying you still have the stock fans in that one, correct?

sorry...

My Su-30 does have upgraded fans. Also, dual batteries.

[jasmith41]

Stock fans

i should have been more clear - i meant in the EFL SU-30.

you're saying you still have the stock fans in that one, correct?

sorry...

[radfordc]

Do you still have the stock EDFs in it, or have you upgraded them...?
.

Stock fans

[Airguardian]

Well, the high alpha wobble was apparent in the video, which is why I made the comment. Not as good (yet) as the SU-35 at high alpha.

Yeah, indeed not, that's a given ;)

Does it drift and deviate to the same side each time you pull a bit too hard on the pitch control

Nope. (I don't think so, at least).

[jasmith41]

I agree. The Mig is big and impressive in flight but it's not my "go to" jet for everyday fun flying. The Su-35 is OK but my absolute all time favorite is my highly modified Eflite Su-30. It's not a high alpha beast but it rocks in the big, fast, vertical maneuver arena.

Do you still have the stock EDFs in it, or have you upgraded them...?

I've yet to grab my stones and maiden mine, but i did put some up-rated FMS fans in it for improved performance based on Hugh W's recommendations...

[radfordc]

While I find the plane very cool, large, great presence, does great "tricks" and lands super smooth, etc, there's something disconcerting in the way it flies. I have this plane in the same category as my 90mm F-104 and B-2, a special day plane, though I'll fly it before either of those.

I agree. The Mig is big and impressive in flight but it's not my "go to" jet for everyday fun flying. The Su-35 is OK but my absolute all time favorite is my highly modified Eflite Su-30. It's not a high alpha beast but it rocks in the big, fast, vertical maneuver arena.

[Evan D]

I agree 100%.

I posted my ideas about the design issues over a year ago and won't bore you by repeating them here. Suffice it to say there are some fundamental design features that I take issue with, and beefing up the servos is just a band aid that while preventing the worst outcomes really doesn't address the fundamentals .

[kallend]

I didn't put many flights on mine without TV's since they were crashing, FW/ Motion was sending out better servos, and the alpha lock issue. That said it had all the same oddities before the TVs too.

While I find the plane very cool, large, great presence, does great "tricks" and lands super smooth, etc, there's something disconcerting in the way it flies. I have this plane in the same category as my 90mm F-104 and B-2, a special day plane, though I'll fly it before either of those.

I posted my ideas about the design issues over a year ago and won't bore you by repeating them here. Suffice it to say there are some fundamental design features that I take issue with, and beefing up the servos is just a band aid that while preventing the worst outcomes really doesn't address the fundamentals .

[Evan D]

I didn't put many flights on mine without TV's since they were crashing, FW/ Motion was sending out better servos, and the alpha lock issue. That said it had all the same oddities before the TVs too.

While I find the plane very cool, large, great presence, does great "tricks" and lands super smooth, etc, there's something disconcerting in the way it flies. I have this plane in the same category as my 90mm F-104 and B-2, a special day plane, though I'll fly it before either of those.

[kallend]

As I've repeatedly said the TVs may help get the plane out of the alpha lock but it still doesn't fly quite right.

Is that only since you installed the TVs, or was it always not quite right?

Funny how they hit the ball out of the park with the SU-35 but the MiG has been such a difficult child. (Nicely mixed metaphors there).

[Evan D]

As I've repeatedly said the TVs may help get the plane out of the alpha lock but it still doesn't fly quite right.

[skybolt]

For the MiG, I'm more concerned about stabs and rudders, this time around. The jet does some weird things I'm not totally fond of that would be better dealt with using stabilization on conventional controls.

For example, the jet has a tendency to wing rock with turbulence a bit more than I find visually-aesthetically pleasing, and a more pressing concern, the jet has a bit of a tendency to suddenly drift and deviate when pulling a bit too hard on the pitch stick. I do compensate it with rudder but my reflexes can't possibly be fast enough to make it look cool.
Finally, the plane has a tendency to want to drop the nose after coming out from a roll, which is annoying and when using an aft shifted CG (beyond 15mm), landing becomes quite a bit tricky. A gyro on the stabs and rudders would help with all that much more than on the nozzles. The gyro on the nozzles would be great on the other hand to reduce high alpha wobble and enhance post stall controllability overall. :)

Does it drift and deviate to the same side each time you pull a bit too hard on the pitch control

[jasmith41]

thanks guys. in the words of Brittany Spears, i did it again...

[GliderGuy]

No gyro, AS3X or SAFE will rescue you if you stall out on the turn from base to final. I expect the RX is fine, they are amazingly robust, but give it a good check out.

Agreed….especially if you get pushed by a gust into alpha lock on base to final. I say this as I sit looking at a bunch of pieces that used to be a MiG-29. And…I did have a gyro (no thrust vector installed).

The gust increased the effective angle of attack almost instantaneously beyond critical.

Ouch!

Fairly certain if the thrust vector kit was installed, recovery would have been possible.

-GG