NAMC Mig-35v2 Maiden and Flight Impressions

This has been the longest time since finishing a build and getting to maiden her.  I came back from vacation and the wind had finally stopped blowing.  Here is a refresher on the changes I made on this version:

Downsized and scale LERX and leading wing edge
Tapered ailerons
Oversized vertical rudders
Tapered cockpit

I'll address the change in flight characteristics each change made.  I first want to comment on the Turnigy 2200.  Our beloved FP 2700 motor is no longer available from Focal Price and Scott is awaiting delivery of a replacement. The FP 2700 is my very favorite motor from a performance/weight standpoint and the price is a bonus.  On this build, my last FP motor was a recycle and it didn't take kindly to crashing in the lake.  So, I put in the Turnigy 2200.  This motor runs fine and stays  cool, but I was seriously missing the extra 500kv.  I'm going to pull the FP2700 from my F22v3 and put the Turnigy in it.  With the higher wing loading, I missed the punch of the FP2700.

With the downsized LERX and wing surface area, there were several changes as expected.  I'll address the LERX first.  The decreased surface area of the LERX makes high alpha wing rock come on earlier vs the stock LERX.  I have the same throw for the elevons on this plane as my v4 and I will have to crank up the throw to perform a Cobra maneuver.  With less surface area, the nose doesn't get pitched up as violently.  I'll experiment with this and as on my other planes, dial in the elevon throw to perform a Cobra.  I'll probably use a dual rate for this.  With decreased wing surface area, the plane has higher wing loading and the center of lift is further aft.  As expected from our experience with the v4, the stock v4 Cg is where this plane is dialed in.  With a higher wing load, flight characteristics changed accordingly.  Simply put, the plane does not perform as well at slower speeds.  Several times the Turnigy 2200 did not have the power to punch me out.

However, there were desirable effects attributable to the LERX  and leading edge.  The plane was incredibly crisp and precise during 50% and above throttle.  When during maneuvers, they appeared more scale like.  Coming out of a loop, the plane slid through the bottom half losing altitude.  Reminded me of the F16 Thunderbird crash at Mt Home AFB.  This plane requires a larger flight envelope and field than the v4, though not like an NTM 2700 powered plane.

The new tapered ailerons performed superbly.  From my previous post, these ailerons are twice the length and half the width of the NAMCv1.  So they have the same surface area.  I actually had to dial them down from my v1 settings.  Rolls and turns were much crisper.  My next tests will compare ailerons on/off in high alpha to evaluate wing tip stalls.

If you've read my prior posts, I have been searching for the Holy Grail of RC park jets.  I found it with these new monster vertical rudders.  I was able to straight line knife edge.  It wasn't perfect and I'm not ready to do it 5ft off the ground down the runway, but I'll get there.  Rudder stall turns were also much easier.

As to the tapered cockpit, I couldn't tell a difference as I didn't do any top speed testing.

In summary, this plane looks striking in the sky.  Definitely it looks and flies much more like a scale plane.  If you like to yank and bank, this is it.  This plane with built specific for the NTM 2700 would be the bomb.  If you want the added capability of high alpha, stick to the stock LERX and leading edge.  These rudders are the ticket for those that like to use the left stick.  Once you've been bit with the FP2700/EMP6x3 combo, everything else drives like a Prius.

I'll try and get a build video with some flight highlights posted soon.

Blue sky to ya,
Stephan