Building a scale 1/4 scale Super Cub from Balsa J3 kit
11-14-2014, 07:54 AM
#153
My Feedback: (569)
Hey there Leroy....
I just picked up this partially completed Piper Super Cub PA-18-150 from a buddy who had been given it by the widow of the original builder......to say that the builder was 'into' scale building would be an understatement:
Now I just have to set aside the time to make the effort required to finish it as it was meant to be ;-)
I just picked up this partially completed Piper Super Cub PA-18-150 from a buddy who had been given it by the widow of the original builder......to say that the builder was 'into' scale building would be an understatement:
Now I just have to set aside the time to make the effort required to finish it as it was meant to be ;-)
11-14-2014, 08:37 AM
#155
My Feedback: (569)
Yes Mike it truly is.... wish there was a full scale Super Cub with transparent covering so that I could model it and show off the amazing work....
Not sure of the material....could very well be mahogany.....I know that the fuselage as it stands now is very heavy
Not sure if you could tell but the stab is actually adjustable so you can change it's pitch........was thinking about how cool setting that up with a 360 degree rotating servo might be to change the angle 'in-flight'
My biggest concern, besides finding the time to finish, is in regards to whether or not I need to go back and re-glue joints, as I'm not comfortable thinking about whether they're still strong enough to hold up after all these years. If I do re-glue not sure what glue to use either.
Plans are from Charles H. Richard (1992)....super scale
Not sure of the material....could very well be mahogany.....I know that the fuselage as it stands now is very heavy
Not sure if you could tell but the stab is actually adjustable so you can change it's pitch........was thinking about how cool setting that up with a 360 degree rotating servo might be to change the angle 'in-flight'
My biggest concern, besides finding the time to finish, is in regards to whether or not I need to go back and re-glue joints, as I'm not comfortable thinking about whether they're still strong enough to hold up after all these years. If I do re-glue not sure what glue to use either.
Plans are from Charles H. Richard (1992)....super scale
11-14-2014, 09:08 AM
#156
WOW! I have Charles Richard's quarter scale Globe Swift plans! His son Erick sells them and a beautiful fiberglass cowling to go with them. There is also a laser cut short kit available as well. You should see the custom retracts Charles designed for the Swift!
11-14-2014, 09:18 AM
#157
Yes Mike it truly is.... wish there was a full scale Super Cub with transparent covering so that I could model it and show off the amazing work....
Not sure of the material....could very well be mahogany.....I know that the fuselage as it stands now is very heavy
Not sure if you could tell but the stab is actually adjustable so you can change it's pitch........was thinking about how cool setting that up with a 360 degree rotating servo might be to change the angle 'in-flight'
My biggest concern, besides finding the time to finish, is in regards to whether or not I need to go back and re-glue joints, as I'm not comfortable thinking about whether they're still strong enough to hold up after all these years. If I do re-glue not sure what glue to use either.
Plans are from Charles H. Richard (1992)....super scale
Not sure of the material....could very well be mahogany.....I know that the fuselage as it stands now is very heavy
Not sure if you could tell but the stab is actually adjustable so you can change it's pitch........was thinking about how cool setting that up with a 360 degree rotating servo might be to change the angle 'in-flight'
My biggest concern, besides finding the time to finish, is in regards to whether or not I need to go back and re-glue joints, as I'm not comfortable thinking about whether they're still strong enough to hold up after all these years. If I do re-glue not sure what glue to use either.
Plans are from Charles H. Richard (1992)....super scale
Yes very nice workmanship indeed!... I was thinking the same thing, looks like either mahogany, or maybe spruce... spruce darkens with age, and it looks like the original builder had been working on that for probably a good part of his retirement.
Regarding the glue, I'd go over the glue joints with some thin CA... some of the glue joints look like epoxy was used... I have a 15 year old cub, and the areas I used epoxy, are still sound, but the epoxy has darkened over the years.
That jack screw on the stab, could very easily be made functional with a servo, but watch the weight, you already have a brick there... have you considered what engine you would use?
Thanks for sharing Bill, that is a real nice piece of work you have there.
Some of that stuff is funny but what can happen is not. Personally I think if you stick to the plan where all these things have been tested for flying before the plans and manual were even written you will be okey.
Now I have accomplished a little on the build, all the spreaders are in and they will get the gusset treatment, rear cabin former is in (after the picture) and gear mount is in, I recessed it in the bottom sides (not on the plan) and made a new one to replace the kit one. I will use the gear supports to mount the floor as was intended. Tomorrow it's on to the fire wall and chin, I'm hoping the wing tube shows up by Saturday so I can get the wing center made up and on then I can do the turtle deck. It's going pretty good considering the Tightbond waiting, you know how that goes.
Here's what I have for pictures.
Leroy
Now I have accomplished a little on the build, all the spreaders are in and they will get the gusset treatment, rear cabin former is in (after the picture) and gear mount is in, I recessed it in the bottom sides (not on the plan) and made a new one to replace the kit one. I will use the gear supports to mount the floor as was intended. Tomorrow it's on to the fire wall and chin, I'm hoping the wing tube shows up by Saturday so I can get the wing center made up and on then I can do the turtle deck. It's going pretty good considering the Tightbond waiting, you know how that goes.
Here's what I have for pictures.
Leroy
Looking good Leroy, its coming together quite fast... I see in the first pic, a pile of reinforcements braces for the trusses... I did something similar... I used a piece of 3/4" dia brass tubing, and sharpened the edge at one end, then used it to stamp out circles / disks from some 1/32 birch plywood... I then cut the disks in half and cut the notches to go around the frame members... worked a treat, and really strengthened up the frame work.
John M,
Last edited by John_M_; 11-14-2014 at 09:44 AM.
11-14-2014, 09:30 AM
#158
Bill, if your interested in the Swift check out this thread on another board. Charles Richard was a close friend of Corvin Miller who's swift won at Top Gun. There two Swifts were very close to each other, As a matter of fact when Corvin did a b uild article he used Charles's pictures because he didn't have any ready.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1561963
Mike
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1561963
Mike
11-14-2014, 09:39 AM
#159
John M,
11-14-2014, 09:54 AM
#161
Mike
11-14-2014, 10:09 AM
#162
I don't doubt it Bill... I don't plan on taking anything I build to Top Gun... I'm just pursuing a scaled out cub for my own satisfaction of doing it, but at the rate I'm going, someone like you may end up with it, from my estate sale... I better pull my socks up and get it done!
***EDIT***
Thanks Mike, I may look into it, I have enough on my plate for now... but I do appreciate a good / detailed set of plans though.
John M,
***EDIT***
Thanks Mike, I may look into it, I have enough on my plate for now... but I do appreciate a good / detailed set of plans though.
John M,
Last edited by John_M_; 11-14-2014 at 01:47 PM.
11-14-2014, 11:15 AM
#163
Senior Member
My Feedback: (16)
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Armstrong,
BC, CANADA
Posts: 1,514
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have no experience with this but I see Duralite has a new light controller available.
http://www.powerbox-systems.com/uplo...tBox_SR_en.pdf
I have a set from RC-Lights. The RCL5324
http://www.rc-lights.com/products/RCL5324.html
Thanks for the advice Leroy, I was actually going to leave the Rudder as is. I will make some changes!
http://www.powerbox-systems.com/uplo...tBox_SR_en.pdf
I have a set from RC-Lights. The RCL5324
http://www.rc-lights.com/products/RCL5324.html
Thanks for the advice Leroy, I was actually going to leave the Rudder as is. I will make some changes!
11-14-2014, 01:57 PM
#164
Hughes, I think electrodynam has a 3 channel LED light controller for $30 bucks... if you go with a complete system, its a bit expensive, but they seem to be the better choice for large scale models... I especially like how you can pick and choose from synchronous, or asynchronous strobes; they even have wig / wag landing lights.
http://electrodynam.com/store/SunVis.html
John M,
http://electrodynam.com/store/SunVis.html
John M,
11-14-2014, 08:55 PM
#165
Thread Starter
Thank you cubcrasher, you got to stop doing that, crashing. 
Flyer I have to make it easy on the eye's so I can see what I did, ha ha.
Thanks Vincent, "hey" this is an all winter build, the fuselage looks like there is a lot done but there is a lot more going into it, some will take time.
Today I got the fire wall on it and some gussets, the fire wall took some re shaping to get it right (I figured it would) nothing on the plans in that area concerning a super cub, it's a work it out as you go build, so far so good. It is presently drying glue so I can get the chin on it tomorrow. Lots of things to do and think about.
Leroy
Flyer I have to make it easy on the eye's so I can see what I did, ha ha.
Thanks Vincent, "hey" this is an all winter build, the fuselage looks like there is a lot done but there is a lot more going into it, some will take time.
Today I got the fire wall on it and some gussets, the fire wall took some re shaping to get it right (I figured it would) nothing on the plans in that area concerning a super cub, it's a work it out as you go build, so far so good. It is presently drying glue so I can get the chin on it tomorrow. Lots of things to do and think about.
Leroy
11-14-2014, 09:05 PM
#166
Thread Starter
Hey there Leroy....
I just picked up this partially completed Piper Super Cub PA-18-150 from a buddy who had been given it by the widow of the original builder......to say that the builder was 'into' scale building would be an understatement:
Now I just have to set aside the time to make the effort required to finish it as it was meant to be ;-)
I just picked up this partially completed Piper Super Cub PA-18-150 from a buddy who had been given it by the widow of the original builder......to say that the builder was 'into' scale building would be an understatement:
Now I just have to set aside the time to make the effort required to finish it as it was meant to be ;-)
Leroy
11-14-2014, 09:16 PM
#167
Thread Starter
John I like the lite-ply 1/8" gussets, they really bind up the cross braces also as well as stiffen the whole aft section up.
Looks to be some pretty nice PA-18 plans out there, Bill's looks like it would be quite the plane to build, not sure I'd want to spend the 5 yr's doing it, not to mention the cost of something like that, "phew".
Leroy
Looks to be some pretty nice PA-18 plans out there, Bill's looks like it would be quite the plane to build, not sure I'd want to spend the 5 yr's doing it, not to mention the cost of something like that, "phew".
Leroy
11-14-2014, 10:26 PM
#168
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Leroy, on my Cub the batteries are against the firewall, beneath the fuel tank. I constructed mine with a cabin sub floor, just enough room to slide wires thru. My rudder and elevator servos are behind the back seat at the bottom, easily accessible with the seat removed.
I also built a sub former and false top in the cabin top for the wing wires to run, they are soldered into D-sub connector. When the wing goes in place it plugs in so there is no handling of the wires.
I also built a sub former and false top in the cabin top for the wing wires to run, they are soldered into D-sub connector. When the wing goes in place it plugs in so there is no handling of the wires.
11-15-2014, 04:04 AM
#169
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Missouri
Posts: 1,127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Pilotbum, I just got mine from http://www.l-com.com/home.aspx?cmp=1...ce=Emailvision.
Just type D-sub connector in there search.
They are about a buck and some change for each end. I-com shipped mine fast.
Leroy,
It's coming along nicely. Can't wait for your scale ideas to bloom
Kevin
Just type D-sub connector in there search.
They are about a buck and some change for each end. I-com shipped mine fast.
Leroy,
It's coming along nicely. Can't wait for your scale ideas to bloom
Kevin
Last edited by Melchizedek; 11-15-2014 at 04:07 AM.
11-15-2014, 04:46 AM
#170
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: The Sunshine state, when it's not raining!
Posts: 8,131
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
I get mine from http://www.alliedelec.com/search/pro...x?SKU=70081085, and the other half, http://www.alliedelec.com/search/pro...x?SKU=70081086.
11-15-2014, 04:46 AM
#171
Hi Leroy, very cool that you are building a cub. I have always loved the cub and I find them to be a very rewarding model to fly. I am just getting ready to put together a 40% Bill Hempel Super Cub (ARF).
I am going to detail it as much as I can for an ARF. So I am interested in what you do as eventually I will strip the plastic covering and do modifications and cover with a paintable covering.
TB
I am going to detail it as much as I can for an ARF. So I am interested in what you do as eventually I will strip the plastic covering and do modifications and cover with a paintable covering.
TB
Last edited by TonyBuilder; 11-15-2014 at 04:49 AM.
11-15-2014, 07:55 PM
#172
Thread Starter
A little production today but some epoxy issues caused a slow down with set time. I did get the fire wall on and glassed the blocks all with epoxy, should ne plenty strong when the chin is done and glassed also. There is a relief cut in the fire wall to allow more air movement, have 5/8" behind the carb. now. Engine as stated earlier is a DLE 30 CC side muffler and is contained entirely in the cowl, may look at other muffler in order to get exhaust over to right side and out in the right place as per the real one, cowl cut outs with the scoops and flairs will be as they are on the real one and should provide enough cooling. I will baffle the air inlets also to direct air flow over the upper fins and head.
Wing tube came today so now I can get the wing center built, mounted and finish the turtle deck construction, still plenty to do on the fuselage.
Leroy
Wing tube came today so now I can get the wing center built, mounted and finish the turtle deck construction, still plenty to do on the fuselage.
Leroy
11-16-2014, 08:00 AM
#174
Thread Starter
11-21-2014, 07:03 PM
#175
Thread Starter
Believe me when I say I have been busy. I found out you can't build this in the order I had planned, there are steps to the whole build.
I'll start up front, with the chin on which will be fiber glassed on both sides for strength. With the former (kit) left out at front window post I had to redesign a replacement. Aircraft ply 1/8" 5 ply across the bottom level with floor mount and two side posts 1/4 X 3/8" X 9 ply, the instrument panel mount and upper deck former is 1/8" X 5 ply and epoxied it all together, when the two trays are mounted in the forward nose for (upper) ignition, throttle servo and batteries and (lower) two 8 oz. side by side fuel tanks & possible battery. Top will be 3/32" balsa plank glassed.
Wing center is almost done, the ribs are stacked to make a hollow place to run and hide wiring to the wings. Straight edges keep it all straight and square, with the wing tube sleeve in I slipped the tube in and got the laser out to check for straightness and it was on the money. Holes were drilled with a 15/16" forstner bit and enlarged a hair for the sleeve, tube is 3/4". I put it on the cabin just to see how it would look but can't mount it yet because I need it to build the dihedral 1" per side into the wings.
I will clean off the building surface and get ready to start the wings assembly which will need more ribs which I will build first and there is still more work on the fuselage front end, window and door. Plenty to do there yet
.
I'm looking forward to getting the wing center on so I can get the aft turtle deck done and get the stabilizer mounts in it, all the fun stuff to come yet.
stuff.
Leroy
I'll start up front, with the chin on which will be fiber glassed on both sides for strength. With the former (kit) left out at front window post I had to redesign a replacement. Aircraft ply 1/8" 5 ply across the bottom level with floor mount and two side posts 1/4 X 3/8" X 9 ply, the instrument panel mount and upper deck former is 1/8" X 5 ply and epoxied it all together, when the two trays are mounted in the forward nose for (upper) ignition, throttle servo and batteries and (lower) two 8 oz. side by side fuel tanks & possible battery. Top will be 3/32" balsa plank glassed.
Wing center is almost done, the ribs are stacked to make a hollow place to run and hide wiring to the wings. Straight edges keep it all straight and square, with the wing tube sleeve in I slipped the tube in and got the laser out to check for straightness and it was on the money. Holes were drilled with a 15/16" forstner bit and enlarged a hair for the sleeve, tube is 3/4". I put it on the cabin just to see how it would look but can't mount it yet because I need it to build the dihedral 1" per side into the wings.
I will clean off the building surface and get ready to start the wings assembly which will need more ribs which I will build first and there is still more work on the fuselage front end, window and door. Plenty to do there yet
I'm looking forward to getting the wing center on so I can get the aft turtle deck done and get the stabilizer mounts in it, all the fun stuff to come yet.
stuff. Leroy