SteveR3750

My Feedback: (1)

I am just wanting to see if anyone else that built this kit might be able to share what the final weight of their model ended up being. I have been fighting with mine for the last week trying to get it balanced without having to add any additional (Lead) to the nose. I have done everything I can. I moved the battery all the way forward under the tank against the firewall and the servo tray and receiver are as far forward as they can go. My model is still extremely tail heavy when trying to balance at the CG givien of 4.5" back from the leading edge of the wing.

At first, while balancing the model I kept adding weight to the nose until the horizontal stabilizer was level using a bubble guage. This required almost 16oz of lead!!!! I then realized that although the horizontal stabilizer was level, the airplane had a nose down attitude, so I started removing weight until the engine shaft was level or horizontal to the surface. I still ended up with about 12 oz of lead in the nose.

Anyhow, the final weight (clipped wing version) came in at just over 11 lbs. The finished weight of the kit is listed at 9.5 to 12.0 lbs so I am hoping that even with having to add so much weight to get the model to balance that I will still be okay. I have an old (never ran) O.S. MAX FP engine in the nose with a 12x6 Wooden Prop. Will this engine be able to pull an 11.0 lb model through the air?

DavidAgar

My Feedback: (108)

First of all do not beleive what the box says the plane is supposed to weight. The kit makers are known to under estimate the final weight of the plane. Your 11 pounds will be just fine. As for balance, you need to put your 2 fingers on the balance point and lift the plane. If the nose falls, you can remove some weight depending on how quick it falls and if it acts like it is going to fall off your fingers. You may want to consider a Great Planes CG Machine. You can get your balance really close with one of these. Your first flight will want to be a little nose heavy and then you can adjust as needed. As for your FP engine, if it is a FP 60, you should be just fine as the Cubs usually cruise along at half power. You will need to learn the finer art of using the rudder for take off as Cub's can be a bit tricky. You need to bring the power up a little at a time and wait until the tail has come up, then you can apply full power. They are great flying planes and you will enjoy it. Good Luck, Dave

eddieC

My Feedback: (2)

What Dave said!  [8D]

guamflyer

I'm building one now for a friend, but to solve that tail heavy problem..I'm beefing up the tail and my friend is putting in a DLE 20. we're already estimating 12 lbs , but with flaps, big wheels and a semi scale cockpit area, it should still be a decent flier...for bigger engines just throttle back.. we fly off grass and lots of wind here in Guam anyways.....


SLOPE FAST - SOAR DEEP

guamflyer