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Just be happy yours is in route... i havnt heard anything about mine. And my buddy just offered me a realky good deal in a 61cc that im about to cancel my mig and get. So i guess there will be 1 extra from the first batch boys.Comment
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Just checked the shipping status again, and you’ve got to be kidding me!! I’ve been pushed back yet again. Went from Thursday to Friday, Now Saturday delivery
I know it’s “NOT” a Motion RC thing.
Who’s running Illinois these days? Their shipping system stinks. It’ll be sitting there longer than it’ll be on the road enroute to me... if it truly arrives on Saturday.
I’ll be meeting that delivery driver at my door with a big ol’ smile and an elbow bump.
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While it does increase the stress this is still earlier than expected.
Come on Friday!Comment
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I think some of you fellas are going to blow an aneurysm over this. It's like seeing some guy pace back and forth as he watches the stock market ticker.Comment
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Lol it's almost as if there's a global pandemic that is affecting logistics performance or something.Comment
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Mine is due to arrive Thursday
cleared the bench in anticipation and vacuumed the shop lol
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Some tips for those maidening their new birds:
1) I know this goes without saying, since pilots operating this MiG-29 are Expert level modelers, but it's worth emphasizing that the MiG-29's elevator servo horn must be set up per the manual as shown below. The middle hole is the only hole into which the control rod should be mounted.
2)The recommended CG mark is molded into the airplane along the underside of its wings, so that's also a no-brainer there. We measured with the gear down and fingertips on the raised CG mark. Start at that position and adjust per your preferences on subsequent flights. I liked mine slightly aft of the CG we put in the manual, as usual, but that's just me.
3) There has been a lot of talk about this airplane's wide flight envelope, which it certainly has, but for initial flights I recommend flying the MiG-29 through a normal jet's flight pattern to get used to it. I would wager this is the largest foam jet most of you have ever flown, so with any plane that expands our previous skill sets, it's wise to take things slowly. Translation: Please avoid trying to hover on your first flight.
4) If you plan to install a gyro in this jet, or any airplane for that matter, I highly recommend programming a switch to remotely deactivate the gyro. During flight, especially when trying out slow-n-low high alpha passes, many gyros can get confused and try to level the aircraft by rolling back instead of pushing the nose down. Fighting the gyro in this condition is a losing battle. Again, none of this is new information for you seasoned pilots. Turn the gyro off, power up, push the nose down to regain airspeed and control authority, then fly out of the maneuver. Panic and pulling back on the stick while already near a standstill will not end well with a big jet like this.
5) As I try to remind everyone with any purchase, whether it be an all-new product or not, please review our warranty policies, contact tech support for any questions/concerns (224-633-9090 M-F CST), read the manual, program a High-Mid-Low rate for maiden, double-check throw direction, *range test*, and post your feedback for the community. Good, bad, or great, we'd all benefit from hearing everyone's experiences with their new bird. We've had lots of fun with our birds so far.
Flight characteristics, landing tips, and generally managing weight/momentum to preserve energy:
The Freewing twin 80mm MiG-29 is a large aircraft. Takeoffs are smooth with zero to minimal flaps, and minimal elevator input. I get the gear clean as soon as I'm off the ground. Assuming you're flying without ordnance, you'll notice that the MiG retains its momentum very well, so use that to your advantage and avoid wasting battery by entering into maneuvers before applying throttle. Rather, power up beforehand and enter into maneuvers with speed, reducing throttle during the actual maneuver. Our flight videos show the MiG-29 can be flown for three minutes or double that time, depending primarily on how the model's energy is managed by the pilot. If you're landing empty at two and a half minutes, you're doing it wrong.
After your initial trim passes, start shooting lower and lower gear passes. You'll notice that the MiG-29 takes on a predictable, slightly nose-high sink rate with the gear down and minimal throttle to manage its descent. I strongly advise using throttle to manage descent rather than over-controlling the elevator. A shallow flare onto the mains first is better than a three point touchdown. I push the elevator full forward to give the nose wheel more authority throughout rollout. I tend to land without flaps for the first couple flights, so I can observe the authority imparted by the stabs alone. Too much flap may also partially blank the stabs if you're landing too shallow, which is another reason to initially use less if not none. Once you've mastered the best landing angle, then gradually feed in more flaps on subsequent flights to your taste. Of course, a three position switch for flaps will allow you to observe three conditions during three separate passes in the same flight, to see which you like best.
The MiG-29 lands closer to the F-18 than the F-22. The MiG-29's struts don't have a tendency to bounce, unless you pancake the model from shin height. For those of you who have flown the AL37, the MiG-29 can land with a similar nose up and long rollout on the mains at a similar power setting. So, have that image in your mind when you're on approach.
If you find yourself in a bad vector on approach or during landing, relax the elevator and power up for a go around. On a low pass, try to avoid sudden throttle pumps to maximum when you're below mid-shin height (ground effect), especially when the gear is up, otherwise you risk FOD. It is better to pitch the nose slightly upward to gain altitude to knee height before going to full throttle.
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Looks pretty manageable on the approaches, but out of interest, how does the hornet land? (I don't have one... yet). The F22 can come in at a hilarious AoA and a 3ft rollout on grass - I assume the F18 (and by implication the Mig) want you to carry a little more inertia onto the ground for a smooth touchdown?Comment
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Anyone get in on the first pre order not get a shipping notice yet?Comment
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The tension in here is high as your MiGs get closer and closer.
I know many of you know what you're doing but I wanted to point out a couple things I went over on my build. I estimate I spent about 45min building the jet and about 6hrs setting it up. I pulled the engines to check the fans, pulled the ESC's to solder bullets, and setup my radio system on the bench first before installing it in the plane. Make sure to set the elevator servo horn positions to the middle hole and set the manual recommended 1mm of nose UP neutral trim. Book rates seemed solid with 30% expo on elevator/aileron.
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I was really glad to see beefier turnbuckles on the MiG. MiG turnbuckle on the left.
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Chicago... Chicago... they're play'in around
Who held on to my box and missed that FedEx truck? Ugh!!
Ha, can’t wait to see and hear everyone’s impressions of the jet during unboxing. Feels like Christmas 
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