FlyingWings - V2 V-Trainer

Yes, I know what you're thinking..."another review on a FlyingWings model, is this guy on commission?" - Whilst that would be great it's probably not necessary given the remarkable value of the models and kits they provide.  Add to that the fact that other than killing the odd motor (my fault) I've never needed anything other than a bit of glue to keep me in the air.

Having reached the limits of the Mini-V it was time for me to move on to a model with the uppy downy bits on the wings (they're called ailerons apparently) so that I could get a bit more creative with my flying.  Since I liked the Mini-V so much I thought the natural progression was to opt for the bigger version, my "Daddy-V" as it's come to be known, with the aileron conversion.

The aileron conversion means the model comes with a 1 meter flat wing, but all other characteristics are in line with the Mini-V with the addition of uppy down bits.  The only negative I had was that as the wing shape is different for the converted wing then it doesn't fit snuggly within the shape cut for the original wing.  Not a huge problem, you can leave the gap to allow some airflow/cooling for the electics or cut some scrap foam pieces to pack it out....I opted to leave it open and it doesn't seem to have any impact on flight or structural integrity.

As you can see from the pictures in the build album here, assembly is about as straight forward as it gets.

I was a "little" nervous about moving on to the bigger plane, having only ever flown the Mini-V, but I had nothing to be worried about.  The supplied motor setup is more than ample and the plane is still extremely stable despite the flat wing.  You can easily hand launch the model by yourself without worrying about it taking a dive or heading off in some unplanned direction.

Once in the air the nerves quickly disappeared and a few circuits quickly had me comfortable with the basic use of ailerons.  The bigger model and more powerful motor (compared to the Mini-V) also meant that I could fly the V2 V-Trainer with a bit of wind without fear of it blowing away or getting out of control.

After a few flights I quickly moved on to doing rolls and loops with ease, even at low level.  Even on the occassions where the model gets away from me a bit (normally when I try showing off) it's quick and easy to recover....if you have a bit of height then you need do no more than go hands off on the controls and it will right itself!!!

I now have a couple of dozen flights under my belt and last time out I moved on to flying inverted circuits...this is where the benefits of the flat wing and slightly different wing shape become obvious as it takes very little input to keep the plane inverted and the v-tail continue to keep it stable.

Calling it the V2 V-Trainer really doesn't do this plane justice.  Whilst this beginner is finding it a very friendly flying companion as he learns, it is obviously capable of, and should be given credit for, being so much more.  The other guys I fly with all have fun when they take the controls and the model now has a camera fitted under the wing with a new FlyCamOne Eco V2 on my christmas list.  You could, and I have/do, happily fly this model all day and not get bored.

The Multiplex MiniMag and HobbyKing Mini Swift have also been added to my Hangar.  The MiniMag is my move into more "traditional" type planes and the Mini Swift was purchased purely as a bit of fun....it comes with a complete crash kit, so I'll get at least two flights out of it!!!

The content of the Hangar may be slowly starting to grow but I don't imagine the Daddy-V will be left gathering dust.  It still has a lot to teach me and will be my primary camera platform.....I also supsect that a wee motor/power upgrade might appear on the cards somewhere down the line to see just how far I can push it.