The Sukhoi SU-29 is an incredible high performance two-seated aircraft. Boasting strength, quickness and maneuverability unmatched, produces a phenomenal roll rate of over 360 degrees per second. Powered by a nine cylinder with 360 HP. This version 2.0 upgrade the original FS2000 SU-29 to FS2002, with high quality textures of Argentine Air Force Cruz del Sur aerobatic team, realistic flight dynamics, smoke system, aerobatic carbureter, extra animations, rolling wheels, functional canopy and pilot head. Package with sounds, panel and interior views. Sounds by Aaron R. Swindle (Skysong Soundworks). FSDS model design, textures, flight dynamics and panel by Ariel Cimino and Cherar Suarez
More about….Sukhoi SU-29 Cruz del Sur Aerobatic Team
The selection of the Model Tech Sukhoi Su-29 came from a desire for a scale aerobatic plane with a uniquely designed and applied covering. There was also the need for a model that was pre-built so that the summer could be spent flying rather than building the model. Since the covering of Almost-Ready-to-Fly (ARF) kits is notorious for being low quality, this was not an option. The Sukhoi met the criteria so it was ordered from Hobby Shack. This was to be a first experience with a Model Tech kit and an Almost-Ready-to-Cover (ARC) model.
The kit is impressive when the box is first opened. The built-up wings and fuselage, both of which are fully sheeted with balsa and sanded, appear to be high quality in construction and finish. The tail surfaces come ready to attach to the fuselage and are well constructed. The cowl, wing fairing, and belly pan are made of high quality fiberglass, which was a big selling point due to having less that pleasant experience ABS plastic part that are supplied with so many other kits. The hardware was good quality, especially the tail gear, which is the spring-loaded type. It seemed a challenge to get the provided dowel pushrods to move freely in the small area inside the fuse near the tail so the decision was made to substitute carbon fiber flex-rods with metal clevises.
A Saito 1.20 FA Special 4-stroke was sitting in the box since it is almost perfect for this plane, it was put into service to power the Sukhoi. The one problem with using a 1.20 to power the Sukhoi is that it extends out past the cowl a little too much. The firewall should be set back about a 1/2 to 3/4 inch so that the prop will be in the correct position in relation to the cowl.
There is enough room in the wing so that 2 aileron servos although the instructions do not mention this type of installation. If this had been done, It would lend itself to experimentation with flaperons but there is really no other reason to have separate aileron servos on a plane this small. Also, dual ailerons adds extra weight and this aircraft ends up weighing quite a bit especially with a 1.20 engine. Weight had to be added to the tail to balance it.
The instruction manual does not give the correct balancing point for the plane. It should be balanced 1/2″ to 3/4″ farther back or the plane could be very tail heavy and may possibly be unflyable.
Model Tech gave the Sukhoi a very symmetrical airfoil to provide the pilot with a little more stability and ease of flying and it worked. Nerves were on edge before the maiden flight. The Sukhoi was transported to the field and made ready for flight. The engine was started and the plane was taxied to the runway. The throttle was advanced to full open and the Sukhoi headed straight down the runway with minimal right rudder to maintain the heading. After about thirty feet, it practically lifted off by itself. After the trim was set, it was time to see what the Sukhoi could do. Many pilots do not attempt aerobatics much on the maiden flight. If the assumption were made that it could crash on the first flight, maybe more people would be testing the aerobatics.
The scale looks and flight performance are other big selling points for this of the Sukhoi. Aileron rolls and loops are very scale and appealing with this plane. After a few snap rolls, Lomcevaks, and other yet un-named tumbling maneuvers, it was time to attempt the first landing. The Extra 300S which has been used to gain aerobatic experience seems to fall like a rock when the engine is cut. As a result of this experience, the first couple of landing attempts with the SU-29 over-shot the runway. It glides very well for an aerobatic aircraft, and at low speeds it still handles steadily with a moderately experienced pilot at the sticks. However, when it does stall, it may try to flip or snap roll but it has to be very slow before that will happen and most likely it will fall quite a bit first. It is advisable to bring it in at a moderate rate of decent and flare about two feet above the ground and let it fly until it runs out of lift. It is very easy to overcorrect with the elevator when flaring because the surfaces are still pretty responsive at low speeds. If dual rates are available, they should be used. Also, Touch-down should be done on the main gear first, not the tailwheel otherwise the tailwheel may bend making the plane unsteerable.
Overall, the Model Tech Sukhoi SU-29 is very impressive in construction and performance.
TECHNIC COUNTER
The engine:
The engine, the famous Vedeneyev M14, is a nine-cylinder geared radial engine.
In the normal “P” version, it produces 360 hp+. The “PF” version produces in excess of 400 hp.
The M14 has oil and fuel systems that are completely functional at all attitudes and power settings, and a fully automatic mixture control. The geared engine spins a 100″, three-blade, composite propeller turning at two-thirds the engine RPM while producing maximum horsepower and thrust at all power settings.
Some versions of the M14P are used to power light-weight generating plants and are expected to run for 20,000 hours without maintenance. This gives you an indication of the engine’s superior reliability.
Specifications:
LengthL: 24.0 ft.
Height: 9.5 ft.
Wingspan: 27 ft.
Engine (Radial): 360+ hp
LG Track: 8.0 ft.
Wheel Base: 16.8 ft.
Empty Weight: 1,738 lbs.
Max Load: 946 lbs.
Gross Weight: 2,684 lbs.
Fuel, fuselage: 99.5 lbs., 15.8 gals.
Fuel, wing: 351.5 lbs., 55.8 gals.
Fuel, total: 451 lbs, 71.6 gals.
Oil 11 liters
aerobatic, 20 lbs.
Smoke 8.4 gals., 57 lbs.
G limits: +11 -9
Spar factory test: +- 23
Roll rate: 360° sec.
Rate of climb: 3,150 fpm
Cruise speed
High speed: 183 mph
Long range: 130 mph
Stall speed: 71 mph
Vne: 273 mph
Vmo :236 mph
Va: 223 mph
COMMENT:
Once again I have done another review for FSPLANET.COM. This time I have been doing a review on the Sukhoi SU-29 which is one of the best acrobatic plane I have ever seen. I have noticed that there is no virtual cabin that makes this file get less points on my rating. Also I have seen that there is a well detailed main panel with excellent side views that let you have notice of what is occcuring around you. Also if you look from outside you wil see an excellent 3D pilot. I have spotted out that the back side wheel turns when you make the plane move to one runway to another one. After all an excellent plane with good textures.
My rating is 9/10