roncannell

Kit arrived today from Balsa USA for my 1/3 Super Cub build. This will be my first 1/3 scale and my first aircraft over 20lbs. My desire is to build this Cub as a daily driver not just a plane that comes out for special occasions.
The only signifigant Modification I intend to add is Wing Tubes. I ordered two from Ziroli and hopefully they will arrive soon. I ordered a 1 1/2" and a 1" The inch and a half may be a bit large even for this plane. The main purpose of the tubes is for set up at the field. My 1/4 cub has a tube and set up is very easy.

roncannell

The Super Cub is shipped in two large boxes with a combined weight of 30lbs.

SunDevilPilot

I was looking for this thread! Subscribed.

Here is some motivation to get you started... I can't recall the gentleman's name but he is a phenomenal builder. Class act with the matching pilot.

SunDevilPilot

Ranfred Radius

My Feedback: (8)

Ron
I'll be watching your progress with this kit! Gotta love the looks of the Super Cub! I have a 1/3 scale Top Model Pilatus Porter with a 3W twin in it. At 36lbs, it's a real teddy bear! You'll love owning a big model.. The bigger they are, the better they fly!

The PA18 is my all time favorite utility plane! I am currently assembling an E-Flite S.C. The scale detail in this ARF kit is nothing short of amazing![X(] Hopefully Horizon Hobby will offer this kit in 1/3 scale in the future.. I'll be the first in line!

BTW. What powerplant are you considering for your S.C.?

Randy

roncannell

Phil, Thanks for the Motivation Pics, I love the little dude in his chair. BTW I will call when the wing tubes arrive so we can drill the ribs on your press.

Randy, not sure on power. I would like a Zenoah twin 80 for cutting down vibration and I would like a DLE 57 for cutting cost. I am open for Power suggestions. I would like a Saito Gas Twin for sound but I hate to pay $1100 for a sweet sounding engine on the lower end of power range.

roncannell

I am building the left wing panel first. Instructions do not tell you this but as I was taping down the plans for the right panel I noticed that the plans said " all detail on left Panel applies to right side "
Disclaimer- i will try to write this thread for those that have never built a Balsa USA Kit. BUSA doesnt always tell you step by step what to do i.e. " Build Left Wing First " and thier instructions are at times vague. These kits in my opinion are not beginner kits. At times a task will have no instruction at all, leaving it up to the builder. I learned this building the BUSA Triplane.
Also, BUSA does not over build anything, but they welcome you to modify to your hearts content.
At times I may explain somthing that seems pretty simple, that usually means I screwed somthing up and had to fix it.

roncannell

I am sorting through the kit looking for Damaged/Warped or sub standard wood that I cannot easily replace. Balsa USA is great about replacing stuff, but because of thier location it takes a while.

I have already found a couple pieces of specialty cut wood that will need to be exchanged. I dont mind buying a few sticks of balsa at the hobby store [They usually are out! and ask me if I would like a nice piece of foam] But this is a $700 box of Balsa already.

I am alsa bagging up loose small parts in the box.

I cut the plans carefully to tape on my building board.

roncannell

This kit has been around for a few years and some instructions have been revised. That info is at the back of the instruction book and tagged in pink in the box

SunDevilPilot

Ron,

roncannell

Delayed, I just spoke to Ziroli and they did not recieve my online wing tube order. So I am guessing with the Holiday season I will see the wing tube in about 8 days or more.
Tonight I will go through the instruction book and see what I can build out of order so that I do not waste a week. Its great building weather here in Arizona, it has rained for two days straight. Very Rare!

Leadtrumpet

Subscribed! I'm taking advantage of even better building weather (6 inches of snow here in Calgary!) and I will be starting my 1/3rd scale Balsa USA Supercub shortly. I'm going to build the PA18A version which was built by Piper in the mid 50's as an agricultural (cropduster) model. I've found a full scale of this version nearby and have taken a bunch of pictures. The owner of the full scale was very interested in seeing his plane being reproduced in miniature (well not so miniature!).

roncannell

Leadtrumpet, Thats cool when you have a full scale example to copy. We look forward to seeing your progress.
Ron

roncannell

Tonight I started sorting and labeling Wing Ribs. One of the selling points listed on BUSA web site for this kit is the "Fall Out" die cut parts. That is not the case. My kit must have run the day before they sharpen the Die. I had to use my exacto and razor saw to get the Ribs out, Oh well, I needed somthing to do. until the wing Tube arrives.

roncannell

I will be using two 7/8 x 30 inch wing tubes. Instead of 1 1/2 and 1 inch The forward tube will be visible through the clear top taking away some of the scale detail. After reading several posts on this build I have decided to try and reinforce the cabin top. Again I am willing to loose some scale detail for strength. After looking at some of the builds on RCU its tempting to want to go all-out scale but I want somthing that I fly alot rather than a museum display.

Radical Departure

My Feedback: (13)

Hahahaha!!! .. Been there with same kit.. I'm not sure it was ever sharpened...

Leadtrumpet

Thanks, I don't want to hijack your thread but I'll try to post some pictures once in a while

roncannell

LT, post as much as you like.
RC

roncannell

I am doing some Laminating and some plan study for the exact location of the 7/8 wing tubes. Inserting the tubes requires you to do a bit of work out of order. If you guys know of a thread where they actually show the wing tube mod I would like to see some pics of other guys decided wing tube locations.

Because I decided to use 7/8 tubes I may be able to put them in the location that BUSA put the OEM wing dowels.

roncannell

Engine Feedback. I would like to hear some opinions on power for this Cub. Weight range is 30-35lbs . I am interested in a DLE 55 for price, approx $375. The Zenoah 62 is reasonable at $450 but is a Mag engine when it seems everyone is EI these days.

For twice the money I can get into the twins like the Zenoah 80 or the DLE 111. I am not sure if the firewall could handle the 111. Any thoughts?

mighty9

My Feedback: (10)

Keep in mind you can find good used gt80 for 450 to 500.

roncannell

That's a good thought, I could run a wanted add in RCGroups.

Ranfred Radius

My Feedback: (8)

Put a twin in it. A DA, DLE or a 3W. You'll be glad you did!

Randy

mighty9

My Feedback: (10)

I had a gt80 in my 1/3 wm cub and it is a good combination.I had A da 100 but it was silly overkill.My cub needed the weight in the nose.

roncannell

I like the thought of a twin. Plenty of room in the cowl. Do your twins run smoother than the single cylinder engines of comprable size?

roncannell

I have decided on the tube locations and marked the plans. Note the yellow Hi Liter outline. Each tube will extend approx 11 inches into the panel. My initial inclination was to use the original dowel location in the front, but it would interfear with the front Cabin support wires. Also since it will be visible either way it might as well be in the cabin center. The rear tube will use the original dowel location.
I will also be drilling the ribs for cardboard tubes for servo conduit and the possibility of adding Nav lights.