TKFOKKER

Gentlemen
I am posting this rebuild to show that even the old crashed fuel soaked birds can have a second life. Most guys would have throw her in the trash. This is a Balsa USA 1/4 scale cub that was given to me in 1984 by a great old friend who has passed away, His name was Harvey Helm. He built the cub in the late 70's He had helped me learn how to fly R/C. This model made me the pilot I am today, with hundreds of flights on it. I got a little cocky with it 9 years ago and busted her up pretty bad and threw the model in the attic. I took her down to finally rebuild. It is powered with a old quadra 35. I've decided to rebuild it in a U.S. ARMY training color scheme of silver and yellow. First pic's are of the cub as it was taken down from the attic, even has the crashed broken prop still on her! I am very much looking forward to having this model back in flying condition.
TK

WacoNut

Will be interesting to follow along.
My dad had a single channel R/C Cub back in 1971, I was 3yrs old and that is what started my love for R/C. I just aquired a kit of that plane a few months ago and plan on building it and giving it to my dad. He doesn't fly anymore but he can hang it up and enjoy it.
Later!!
Anthony

TKFOKKER

Here are some pic's of here being stripped down. I can't believe how bad the model really was seeing her with the sig coverall torn off. The model was painted in Randolf cub yellow dope, she really was a good looking cub in her day. I'll try to find some of the pic's I have and post them. This is going to be a challange, but alot of FUN!
TK

TKFOKKER

Guys
These first three postings are of one days work on the cub rebuild. Here I have finished stripping the plane and have started to rebuild the fuselage. I will replace the fuel soaked firewall. Also all joints need to be reglued for most of them were apart. I am also replacing a lot of the soft balsa with harder balsa.
TK

geezeraviation

My Feedback: (3)

About threee years ago I rebuilt and detailed a 1/4 scale Sig Cub that had been done as a clipped wing Super Cub. The covering is what was holding the tail on the aircraft and there were other things of that nature about it. Looks llike you have your work cut out for you.
Doc

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

This Cub has a lot of life still in it and you rebuilding is just the ticket. I look forward to watching your progress.

ARUP

'Green' modeling! Kidding! Good on ya for the re-build!

TKFOKKER

Guys
I pretty much have most of the fuse repaired. Here I have lined the interior with 3/32 ply, and also made a new fire wall out of two pieces of birch 1/4 inch ply glued together. I have installed a new fuel system and throttle servo.
TK

TKFOKKER

More progress.

nine o nine

My Feedback: (1)

Tom, looking good. I've got 2 rolls of yellow solartex. Let's make a deal. Mitch

TKFOKKER

Hi Mitch!
I already have all my covering, But thank you for asking!
TK

TKFOKKER

Started to cover the fuselage with solartex silver, This is the first time I've ever used this stuff. Should be interesting? I'm a sig coverall and dope guy.
TK

geezeraviation

My Feedback: (3)

I think Solartex is the best covrering I have used but I reserve that opiniion when it comes to the silver. I used it on the Cub I rehabbed along with maroon and the silver is much harder to use than other colors. One has to be careful not to marr the finish. It looks as though you have done a good job Tom. Is the aircraft to be silver or is this used as a base?
Doc

abufletcher

I agree with Doc. The silver, out of all the Solartex colors, has a slightly rubbery look and feel to it. And this is easily marred, for example with an iron. But then maybe that's authentic. I don't know. Your cub looks great so far though.

TKFOKKER

Thanks Guys
The silver on the fuse is the finish, I will cut tapes out of it and apply where needed. The wings will be yellow solartex, but painted with Krylon sun yellow, which is close to the yellow used on the trainers. I agree about the silver covering though, it is a bit hard to work with without damaging.
TK

TKFOKKER

OK
I have finished the Fuselage with the edge tapes and have painted the area front of the dash. Also I have painted the boot cowl.
Next comes the tailfeathers.
TK

TKFOKKER

Started covering the tail. Also did the early flag markings on the rudder.
TK

abufletcher

At first, I was wondering why bother rebuilding, but your cub is really looking great (which of course we all knew it would)! That cub is lucky to have you!

kljenkin

How do you do that so FAST? It would take me weeks to get to the point you are at in acouple of days.

TKFOKKER

No Abu, Whats the old saying, I'm Lucky to Have HER!!!!!
And Kelly, fast, That's what Coffee, Choclate, and late nights will do! If I'm working I get home at 4:00 pm and go directly to the shop till 11:30 pm. If I'm not at work I do all days and evenings.
TK

ARUP

Mmmmmmm... chocolate! I like your Cub, too! Nice color scheme.

Idigbo

TK, your Cub is looking great. This thread is a bit Deja Vu to me since I rebuilt a 1/4 Cub last year that was nearly as old. Some of my pics even look like yours!!! I love your chosen scheme, have you any full size pics?

Heres a before, in progress and after photo's. Before it was a bit semi scale, wrong fin fillet, windscreen shape, no opening door or window, so many formers in the cockpit you couldn't even get a pilots seat in there!! I removed all the formers and made a wire framework for the cockpit. Apologies for cluttering your thread.

Watching with interest, Ian.

TKFOKKER

Ian
Wow! That is a great looking cub! I love both of the color schemes. But the silver and red is really nice. And no you are not cluttering up my Thread at all. I do enjoy peoples interaction very much. Funny my cub also flies on the same set of floats! And No I do nothave any full size pic's just went by instinct on this one, a scheme I've always wanted to do.
Thanks for your post.
From the other side of the pond they say!
TK

TKFOKKER

I worked on getting the plexiglass on the fuse. As you can see it's not scale for the rear windows. I just made frames out of sheet metal. I also repainted the wing fairings and installed them and the landing gear.
TK

TKFOKKER

Worked on installing the tail wheel and tail feathers.