Official Freewing 80mm MiG-21 Fishbed Thread

[Phantom]

Video of the aftermath.

https://youtu.be/_iUb9yKB8iI

Watched your aftermath video, battery still looks secure to the tray even after that spectacular crash. Don't think it shifted in flight...Maybe CG was off from the start? I haven't seen that battery before, does it perform well? The specs on it appear fine... but say the battery was weak, and they delayed your rotation, and the airflow over your reduced elevator rate was insufficient to be effective... could these factors stemming from a weak battery caused this flight's outcome?

[Kahmed]

Video of the aftermath.

https://youtu.be/_iUb9yKB8iI

[Kahmed]

[Kahmed]

So I tried out the MiG 21 again. Battery moved back and throws down 50%. This time it just didn’t want to rotate. It was still porpoising like before but just felt tail heavy. Took off all three retracts by hitting a curb but finally got in the air. Once in the air it was nothing but a disaster waiting to happen. The elevator was barely usable. The airplane just wanted to nosedive. And that is exactly what it did. Resulting in the most spectacular crash that I’ve ever had. The nose was buried into the dirt and foam everywhere! Unfortunately glue and tape ain’t working this time. I just wonder what I had done wrong.

[Jets and Wings]

Also getting my MiG-21 with the Inrunner together now. Hope to get it in the air soon....

[gooniac33]

gooniac33

Thanks for that useful info. So far everything is stock. Power, servos, etc. Will see how things go after my second attempt. One thing is for sure though. It will look amazing with your afterburner on it!

Yes you are right!! I have a new array since the last photos I took of mine... it will look even better with the ones I have now! please be sure to take lots of pix once you get it installed!

[Kahmed]

gooniac33

Thanks for that useful info. So far everything is stock. Power, servos, etc. Will see how things go after my second attempt. One thing is for sure though. It will look amazing with your afterburner on it!

[gooniac33]

I finally maidened mine yesterday because the weather was decent here in Michigan. What a wild ride it was!! I felt like i was riding a bull! Lots of porpoising. I was using factory rates. Will try again with rates cut in half. Also, my battery was too far forward. I always err on the side of caution but that was WAY too nose heavy. Got the MIG down without too much damage. One main landing gear got ripped out cleanly, flap got detached, the nose suffered the most. All is fixed now. Normally I do decent with maidens but this was a different kind of beast. At least the way I had it setup. The Avios MIG17 was a peach and so was the HK Sea Vixen. Can’t wait to give this thing another shot!

The Mig-21 has become one of my faves over the years! I have had no less than 4 different power set ups in it and it flew great with all of them! What I have noticed is that the planes stock throws are much too high!! I did end up swapping out the aileron servos once one quit on me in flight (thankfully it wasn't deflected in any direction!) and with stock I had reduced throw to about 50% of what they had recommended. With the new servos its down to 45% throw in the radio. I also use a aileron to rudder mix which helped way more than I though it would! the plane rolls better than before and when you bank for a turn is just feels much better than before. I am one that tends to use lots of expo and that has worked great for me with this bird. It just depends on your flying style. I am the type to use 90% or higher on rudder...

[Kahmed]

Alpha
Thanks for your input man. I should have done more research before the maiden. Excellent tip on the expo vs rate. Makes sense.

[Alpha]

Kahmed I'm glad to hear you got her down in one piece [mostly]!

The MiG-21 flies like a delta, so I prefer slightly aft CG. I think you'll notice a significant improvement in handling when it's not nose heavy. Have your rates on a three position, if desired. For this bird, I would recommend expo in 10-30 range, but not 40-50. For most pilots I've seen, the higher expo range doesn't play nice with this bird and the Mirage. I'd rather reduce rates than reduce responsiveness.

Keep your speed up in turns, but don't worry about backing off throttle in a straight line. I fly both the MiG-21 and Mirage close and tight. If you can sustain a high alpha pass at ~30 degrees nose up with mild headwind, your CG and throws are good in my book.

[Kahmed]

I finally maidened mine yesterday because the weather was decent here in Michigan. What a wild ride it was!! I felt like i was riding a bull! Lots of porpoising. I was using factory rates. Will try again with rates cut in half. Also, my battery was too far forward. I always err on the side of caution but that was WAY too nose heavy. Got the MIG down without too much damage. One main landing gear got ripped out cleanly, flap got detached, the nose suffered the most. All is fixed now. Normally I do decent with maidens but this was a different kind of beast. At least the way I had it setup. The Avios MIG17 was a peach and so was the HK Sea Vixen. Can’t wait to give this thing another shot!

[gooniac33]

Hi fellow Mig-21 pilots, here's the mid-life upgrade for my Freewing Mig-21

- new FMS 80mm EDF Pro unit with 2100kv inrunner
- new paintscheme

Love seeing that big bird fly at RIAT in the videos...

I too am thinking of upgrading mine to a new 2100kv set up. I have been impressed with them! My F-4 is screaming now!! It may be worth upgrading all of my FMS powered planes....

[Icarus the 2nd]

Hi fellow Mig-21 pilots, here's the mid-life upgrade for my Freewing Mig-21

- new FMS 80mm EDF Pro unit with 2100kv inrunner
- new paintscheme

[krkan]

Some weapons upgrade :)

[krkan]

summer time is over but Mig is still in flying condition:)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EBy4DTfpJE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1TL_ZE8cUc

[Hardway]

Awesome stuff everyone!!! The MIG is a keeper for sure!!! Happy Thanksgiving all!!! Jerry

[Bajora]

jlee, krkan and Poor Dad 57 ... sweet looking Migs indeed! That Bunny Fighter is a pretty cool looking custom scheme. Got to keep the significant other as engaged as possible in our hobby. And it CAN be tough to do that for sure!

[Poor Dad 57]

Haven't flown it yet but here's my Bunny Fighter. It's my wife's favorite of all my planes.

[gooniac33]

Got mine in the air this weekend after it sitting at home for a couple months... Boy am I glad I brought it out!! It is such a joy to fly! I had a minor incident on my first flight with the cheater cover falling off... but watched where it fell and was able to pick it up and re install. Got another 2 flights after that and its really a special plane! The A3L in there makes it even better than it already is stock!! Videos to follow soon....

[krkan]

krkan Hi Tom, welcome to Hobby Squawk! Is that you or your friend flying the real MiG?! I'm so happy that you enjoy your Freewing MiG-21, our development team worked long hours to achieve our goals of a well flying Fishbed. I like your paint scheme, it appears you did salt weathering on the surface? Or was it another type of weathering technique?

My friend from our rc club and few more are pilots on mig 21, i`m just captain on jet/aerobatic pilot but if i get chance to get helmet on two seater for sure i will not refuse ;)
True about weathering tehnique, salt+scratch + 600 water sandpaper for hatches. aprox. 7hrs job but it is worth.