Mig-17 Fresco — An EDF Jet you can build

Mig-17 Fresco — An EDF Jet you can build

A Shark Fin on a Boomerang! The MiG-17 Fresco construction article will be featured in the February 2015 issue of MAN. Plans no. X0215A will be available at the Airagestore.com website shortly.

mig 9

Designed by Jim Young

The Mikoyan-Gurevich Mig-17 is the follow on of the more famous Mig-15, one of the first successful swept-wing jet fighters.  It was designed to fix any combat problems found with the Mig-15.  The result was one of the most successful jet fighters prior to the introduction of true supersonic planes.  The Mig-17 is longer than the Mig-15 and was the first use of an afterburner in a Soviet fighter.  8000 Mig-17’s saw service from the early 1950’s through the 1960’s by twenty countries. There are almost 30 privately owned Mig-17’s in the United States, with several pulling airshow duties, giving many options for color schemes.

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This Mig-17 is designed around the Great Planes 56mm Hyperflow EDF unit (GPMG3910) and the Ammo 24-45-3790 brushless motor (GPMG5185).  This economical setup give nice EDF performance on a 4S 2200mAhr LiPo battery pack.  The outline is true to scale with the exception of larger ailerons and the position of the stab to simplify construction.

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A laser cut short kit is available from the author to speed construction of your own Mig-17. Ordering information is printed on the plans.

onlinePlan

Materials List

The following is list of the major pieces of wood and hardware needed to complete the model.

(5) 1/16” x 4” x 36” Balsa Wing and Fin Skins

(2) 1/16” x 1/4” x 36” Basswood Rear Spars

(1) 1/16” x 1/2” x 36” Basswood Wing L.E.

(1) 1/4” x 1/2” x 36” Balsa Aileron and Fin L.E.

(1) 3/16” x 1/2” x 36” Balsa Wing L.E.

(5) 3/32” x 4” x 36” Balsa Fuselage Planking and Stabilizer

(1) 1/8” x 4” x 8” Balsa Rudder

(1) 1/64” x 12” x 24” Plywood Ducts

(1) Sullivan #507 Flex Cable

(1) 1/32” x 36” Music Wire

(1) 1/4” x 24” Dowel

If cutting your own parts:

(3?) 1/16” x 4” x 24” Balsa Wing and Tail Ribs

(1) 1/16” x 12” x 24” Plywood Fuselage Formers

(1) 1/64” x 4” x 24” Plywood

Tail Feathers

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The stab and elevator are 3/32” balsa laminated around a central core of 1/64” plywood. The grain of the balsa should run parallel to the trailing edge of the stab. The plywood provides a “joiner” between the two halves of the stab and slots for CA type hinges.  Taper the elevators and round the leading edge of the stab.  Bevel the L.E. of the elevators, glue the control horns in place, and temporarily hinge the control surfaces.  The rudder is laminated in a similar fashion with 1/8” balsa on both sides of the plywood core.

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The fin is built up and has features to slide on to the fuselage formers. Sand the front and rear of each rib to match the angle of the L.E. and T.E.  Pin the ribs in place over the plans and glue the ¼” balsa L.E. and T.E.  Glue the V6’s in place using scrap 1/16” plywood to set the gap between them.  Glue the V7 fin tips in place. Shape the T.E. and tip to match the ribs.

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Sheet the fin with 1/16” balsa.  Remove the fin assembly from the board and cut an opening in the sheeting between V3 and V4 for the stabilizer.  Add scrap balsa blocks at the front and rear of the slot to fit close to the stabilizer.  Install the elevator flex cable as shown on the plans. Remove the building tabs from the ribs and sheet the other side.  Cut an opening in the sheeting between V3 and V4.  Glue the stab in place, making sure it is square to the fin.  Temporarily hinge the rudder and glue the control horn in place.

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Wings

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Prepare the top and bottom wing skins.  Edge glue two sheets of 1/16” balsa together. Use the plans to cut the wing sheeting leaving it slightly over sized at the L.E. and root.  For the top skin, bevel the trailing edge of the sheeting to the line shown on the plans. Glue the balsa spar box top and bottom (SB1) to the plywood spar box sides (SB2). Use two layers of scrap 1/16” plywood between the sides to ensure the spar will fit.  Position R2 on the spar box and glue it in place up against the tabs. Slide R1 and R3 on to the spar box and glue in place.  Glue the outer spar box top (SB3) and bottom (SB4) in place. Sand the outboard end of the spar box to match the L.E. Sand the front of each rib to match the angle of the L.E.  Pin the spar box assembly and the rest of the wing ribs in place over the plans.

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Glue the 1/16”x1/4” basswood rear spars in place. Glue R2A in place making sure it is level with the board. Glue the 1/16” balsa T.E. in place and sand the top to match the rear spars. Glue the 1/16” basswood sub-leading edge and plane/sand it flush with the ribs. Note there is a slight bend in the L.E. at R4 and it should taper slightly outboard of R7. Glue the top sheeting in place, and trim it flush with the L.E.

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Remove the wing assembly from the board.  Use pinholes to locate R2, R4, and R5 for the wing fences.  Jig the wing up-side-down over the plans. Make sure the wing is properly pinned down and touching all of the jigs to set the correct washout. Glue the 1/16” plywood servo hatch mount in place.  At the L.E. make sure the mount is even with the surrounding ribs. Laminate the three layer wing tip flat, and then glue it to the top sheeting. The top sheeting will bend to the wing tip.  Sand the wing tip to blend with the ribs.

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Mark the location for the aileron ribs using the marks on the plans. Sand the 1/4” balsa aileron L.E. as shown on the plans.  Glue the aileron L.E. to the top sheeting followed by the aileron ribs.  Use pin holes to mark the corners of the aileron. Plane the sub-leading edge flush with the ribs. Glue the 1/16” balsa bottom sheeting in place. Use a pin to locate the servo hatch mounting holes.  Use the 1/16” plywood servo hatch as a template to remove the bottom sheeting.  The aileron servo is mounted to the hatch. Glue the 3/16” balsa L.E. in place and sand to shape. Cut the aileron free from the wing. Glue the control horn to the end of the aileron. The ailerons are hinged along the top with the covering material or book binding tape.  The sheeting at the wing roots will be trimmed to match the fuselage later.

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Do I have to tell you to make two wings, a right and a left? I didn’t think so, moving on.

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Fuselage

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Laminate the two F4’s together using 30 minute epoxy.  Weigh them down under something flat to ensure a straight and strong wing spar.  Use thin CA to glue a small piece of light weight glass cloth on both sides of F8 and F9 around the fin mounts. Laminate the top and bottom fuselage stringers. Assemble and balance the fan unit.  Test run it and make sure all screws have thread locker on them. Round the inside inlet edge of the fan shroud.

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Glue F6 and F7 to the fan unit using the top and bottom stringers to position them. Use the marks on the former and mold lines on the fan to line up the formers. Dry assemble all of the fuselage formers (F1 to F9) to the top and bottom stringers.  Add the servo and battery mounts (F10 and F11). Jig the fuselage over the plans and square each former to the plans.  Use thin CA to glue the fuselage structure together.  Glue the hatch formers to the top stringer using 1/64” plywood to space them from F2 and F4. Glue the H1 hatch edges in place.  There should be an 1/8” gap between these pieces. Slip wax paper between the hatch formers and F2 and F4.

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The length of the inlet ducting breaks several rules of EDF design.  Several tests were performed with various duct lengths and any effect on performance is negligible. There are considerable forces trying to collapse the inlet it during flight (think trying to suck a milk shake through a straw).  Ensure that the duct material is solid, has no cracks in it, and that it is securely glued to all formers. Cut the front and rear ducts from 1/64” plywood. The edges of the ducts overlap 1/4” and are beveled to provide a smooth duct.

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Insert the ducts in the fuselage and double check the fuselage alignment.  Use the duct jig mounted to a 1/4” dowel to hold it round as you glue the seam with thin CA.  Install the outlet duct making sure F8 and F9 are aligned and square to the board.

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Fit the tail assembly to the fuselage.  When satisfied with the alignment apply a liberal amount of 30 minute epoxy and make it permanent.  Use the extra outer sleeve from the flex cable and 1/32” music wire for the rudder linkage. Install the motor wires and aileron servo extensions.

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Use the planking template on the plans to cut 3/32” balsa planks.  This will help reduce the amount of cutting and fitting. Slightly bevel the edges of each plank before gluing it in place.  Using aliphatic glue along the edges and CA to glue the planks to the formers makes quick work of this task.  Plank the top of the fuselage as far as you can down each side.  Cut partially through the planks around hatch so you can find it later. Remove the fuselage from the board.  Bend the tow hook from 1/16” music wire and epoxy it in F12.

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Use 1/64” plywood scraps to trap the tow hook in place.  Complete the fuselage planking and sand the fuselage smooth.  Cut holes to match the aileron servo lead holes in the wing ribs and to clear the spar box.

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Cut the hatch free and add the forward pin and a rear locking mechanism of your choice.  Sand the planking even with the H1’s on the hatch and H2’s on the fuselage.

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Glue a piece of 1/16” basswood to the H1’s on the hatch and in the fuselage. Replace the hatch and sand the basswood edges flush with the planking. Trim the canopy to fit the hatch. It is glued in place after covering.

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Final Assembly

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Slide each wing on to the spar and mark the wing sheeting with the shape of the fuselage. Trim the sheeting for a tight fit to the fuselage.  R1 should touch the fuselage at F4. When satisfied with the fit, apply 30 minute epoxy and slide the wings in place.

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Jig the fuselage over the plans and pin the wing tip jigs in place.  Double check the alignment and let it cure overnight.  Apply a small fillet around the root of the wing, the fin, and stab.  Final sand the airframe and prepare it for finishing.

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There are many color schemes that the Mig-17 has appeared in.  You can go with traditional military silver/gray, or the Mig-17 has become popular with several airshow pilots and teams if you want something more colorful.  Any of the iron on films should be fine for this little EDF.  Glassing and paint is also an option, but keep in mind the 30 oz. target weight.

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Install the radio gear, we used HS-45’s all around.  To provide cooling for the ESC, use thermal epoxy to bond it into a hole cut in the inlet duct.  A receiver with end pins is required to fit under the hatch. A pair of 2Sx2200mAhr packs are wired in series and positioned to balance the model as shown on the plans. Set up the control throws as listed on the plans, paying particular attention to the elevator throw.

mig 7

Flying

mig 8

To keep the MiG-17 light, the landing gear was omitted in favor of bungee launching.  If you don’t have a bungee launcher, I recommend the Great Planes Bungee Launch Set (GPMA2885).  With about 20 paces of tension on the bungee, throttle up and release the Mig from shoulder height. It will accelerate quickly with very little drop while on the bungee.

I strongly recommend that for the first few flights you climb to altitude and do some tests at half throttle and apply full up elevator.  The high tail position of the MiG can cause the stabilizer to be blanketed by the wing with too much up elevator.  If you have too much elevator the Mig will start to tumble.  If this happens, reduce power and get the nose down (hence the need to do this at altitude) and gently pull out.  Switch to low rates and repeat the test.  Reduce the elevator throw as necessary.

With the light wing loading, full power is not needed for mild aerobatics.  The stall is gentle and straightforward. Loops, rolls, point rolls, and inverted flight are all within the capabilities.  With the C.G. set as shown, inverted flight requires just a bit of down to maintain level flight.  When the throttle is pushed the MiG accelerates quickly and the vertical performance is awesome.  The recommended power system will easily push the MiG at 90mph.  You better make sure your eyeglass prescription is up to date, because it gets small fast.

Landings are straight forward and the MiG can be slowed down.  Keep the wings level in final and use the rudder for course corrections.  With the anhedral wing it is easy to catch a wing tip.

 

 

 

 

Updated: July 16, 2015 — 4:07 PM

14 Comments

  1. Beautiful

  2. Absolutely amazing!!! In there a video link available?

    1. I haven’t been able to get a good video of it, it’s too small and fast!
      -Jim

  3. Totally awesome and will be on my to build list! Thanks for publishing this!

  4. Very cool MiG! Proves that not only are guys still building but they’re designing and flying some pretty neat stuff. Refreshing change from the tide of foamy ARF edf’s!

    1. Thanks for the complement, Rich! It means a lot coming from you. I also remember the letter you wrote to Flying Models about one of my other designs, I appreciate the encouragement.
      -Jim

  5. I would love to know what the cost of the build kit for it is? I just wish that I could do one that looks as good!! How long did it take to build? Thanks and you did great!!!!!!!!!

    1. You can check out the short kit of laser cut parts on my website: http://www.tnjmodels.rchomepage.com

    2. P.S. I started in January and it was ready to fly in April, working a few hours at night and taking lots of photos. Perfect winter build.
      Jim

      1. Jim, how did you do the chrome nose ring? I’m assuming chrome MonoKote or UltraCote?

        Rick Bell

        1. Chrome ultracote, the chrome monocote is too hard to work with.

  6. The plans are not on airagestore.com. How can I order the plans and the pre-cut kit?

  7. I am also big enthusiast of this Soviet jet. I have constructed similar model of a depron, paper and balsa with EDF 55 few years ago. Also I have returned to his new development for 3D print (advanced tecnology) now. If you want, I can share information on work flow and her results. I had many successful projects in aeromodelism and Experimental Rocketry. Best Regards, Alexander

  8. Hello,

    We’re a group gathered by three mechanical engineers in Özyeğin University in İstanbul/Turkey. We loved your design on Mig-17. To start manufacture it to learn something on airplanes as a mechanical engineer, we need to CAD draw of them. We can draw also by proscpecting the picture of the design, but it has low quality. Could you help us freely with CAD drawings in high bussiness of the university.

    Best Regards…

    Tolga Emir
    Mechanical Engineering Department
    Ozyegin University

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