Well if you like cubs but aren't a big fan of yellow, like me, KMP's L-4 Grasshopper is for you. It's May 8th and late in the building season in Wisconsin. But there is time to knock this one out. Everything was well packaged and damage free. The L-4 is covered in fabric, painted a very subtle camo green with invasion stripes. The interior is black and needs a little touch up. I started building mine this morning, and after 6 hours it is 80% complete. If this plane flies as good as it looks, it will be a favorite. KMP did very nice job. The build, quality, part fit and overall looks are great. I should note, the landing gear is not the typical bent piano wire. It is a Cub style working landing gear. It does need a coat of paint though. It's well worth the price. If you use a gas engine, get one with a side carb, not a rear carb, Too long. Now the things I don't care for. This stuff may seam petty but, I got to tell the truth. #1 The tailwheel assembly is less than stellar. It is a bent piece of wire. You know the type. I will get something a little more scale. #2 The fairing for the LG bolts to the landing gear. Problem is that the supplied bolts are too small. 4-40 hardware took care of this. #3 is the attachment of the struts. The struts bolt onto a brass knurled insert which is glued into a wood block. Some blind nus took care of this. #4 I dislike nylon hardware. I replaced mine with Sullivan hardware. Now all of the things I mentioned are personal preferences, except for the fairing bolts. KMP's L-4 is one nice plane. If you want a Cub ARF unlike the other ones at you local flying field, order one of these, you won't be sorry. AA++ You will need some OD green (spray and bottle) and flat black (spray). I'll keep posting as the build goes on and post a few photos. Feel free to contact me with any questions.

Interesting, Im thinking about this model. I would like to know about the construction and materials used, are the glue joints good or that cheesy chinese almost glue, hows the hardware? KMP wasn't known for its quality hardware or instruction manuals. what size gas engine can we use? and finaly do you have any pictures.
Thanks Scalenutz

Well Scalenutz, I'm using a 26cc gas burner, a 20 is recomended. A 120 4 stroke would fit very nicely. The entire model is lazer cut wood. I'm not sure about the glue but it appears to be ok. The joints seam to be solid, but I always reglue the firewall. I've twisted on the model pretty heavy and nothing broke. As for the hardware it has not changed. Anything bigger than a 40 size I buy aftermarket hardware. As for pictures, I will post some in a few days. Anything special you would like to see? Any other questions, just ask. I check my e-mail every day. I guess in closing this is a nice plane, but remember it is an ARF and it isn't as nice as a handbuilt.

1 builder,

I had looked at this plane before they came out and it looked very nice. From the pics I saw the engine pods on the side of the cowl just didn't look right and I really wanted something a little bigger. I ended up getting the Aeroworks 50cc S2 Sport cub with a DLE 55 on the business end. I'm interested in seeing some pics and hearing how the cub flys with the 26cc.

It will take me a few days to finish it. The motor will take me some time. I have to modify the firewall a bit because of my poor choice of a rear carb engine and I need to spin some standoffs.

Hey all. Been researching this plane for a while now and not to purchase but for parts for my other cub. If you all look very closely to this plane, it is in fact CMP's cub!! with a few cosmetic mods such as fabric, wing window and rocket tubes. The wingspan, gear, struts, strut stabilizer, cowl and glue on duumy engine, tail wheel, decking inside fuse, fuselage, specs, and other stuff are identical. I emailed Andrew Kondor and confirmed the parts are identical. It is a great plane and a Saito 120 pulls it all over the place. Yea for me in that I will finally get my new wing tube as KMP will have the parts

By god that is the same plane. KMP's cowl and dummy engine appear a bit different, but other than that, it's the same plane. Thanks

Dont let it sway you 1 builder. If it is anything like mine, you will be absolutlely satisfied. It is an outstandingly well built kit with a few cheap parts and it flys as gentle as a lamb or as brutal as you want to be. Extremely solid plane and if you were to compare it with an H-9, it will give it a run for the money without all the money. Mine has over 140 flights and I finally wore that gear out at about 120. I just wish this one was out when I was in the market for mine!! P.S. Stick a Sig medium tailwheel assy on it and leave the second leaf spring out. Not needed.

Hello Bob, Did we ever talk about installing a Hangar-9 Cub landing gear assembly on our CMPro Cubs. Point of my question was should the CMPro one break at the welds, [and they do] word has it the H-9 ones can fit with a little modification. I land very smooth [ not bragging, just good ] so I don't anticipate future damage but..... you never know. They are about $78 bucks plus shipping. What's your opinion please. MM Not to rub it in but, nothing like a beautiful flying site to pass the day, yup, total RC bliss.

Hey MM. You need some company there!! Your hoggin too much airspace. My cub gear has broken where the rod goes into the bungee holder more times than I can count. Even after numerous re welds. It just is too weak at that point See pic. I finally gave in and put the H-9 gear on it. The mod is easy. Use the front holes on the cub for the front of the gear. They match up perfectly. But tap new holes for the rear with reinforcement required on the inside. Next, cut about 12mm off the ends that connect to the hub and drill new holes. See pic. This gear is way beefy and I doubt we can hurt it. Bob P.S. make sure when you drill the new holes that they are in alignment with the bridge attachment so you dont have to twist the springs. For you Grasshopper guys I know this may not seem relavent but this mod will work for you all down the line.

Hi Guys, I'm currently building one of these for a review article in High Flight magazine. It will be powered by an Aerovate 20 from KMP so I'll be reviewing a total package. I ran into lots of problems assembling this ARF what with having to futz around getting the struts right and hooking up the elevator and rudder. It seems the tubes inside were installed wrong so I had to mount my servos under the horizontal stab externally. I'll paint them green and nobody will notice. Yes, I figured out it was a CMP Cub because the wheels and aileron servo hatches say CMP. Here's a hot idea from Kaptain Kitbash. Buy the 1/4 scale Cub from World Models http://www.airborne-models.com/html/...p?ProductID=24, modify the windows, doors, and wing center section, paint it green and add your markings, and you've got a 1/4 scale L-4 that comes complete with a pilot for $100 cheaper than KMP. And, it flys great on a G-23/26. Airborne's shipping is cheaper than KMP, there's no int'l fees involved, and if you call to place your order you can haggle with them. Look for my review of the KMP L-4 in a future edition of High Flight magazine.

I assume your talking about H-9 quarter scale gear. Just want to get it right.

Hey 1 builder. That is correct. Robart makes a nicer one more like the Grasshoppers but the price is too much for me.Bob http://www.robart.com/robostruts/cub_gear.aspx

Bob, I've got the "go-ahead" from the wife to get a Hangar-9 Cub gear. But before I do, Look at these pics and tell me what you think. The springs have quite a bit of tension restraint and along with a couple of the O-rings, there seems to be enough "stiff" to hold quite snug in place. I can't figure out how come yours have broken at the welds so much. Could it be maybe, less than smooth landings with a lot of bouncing ? [ tactful courtesy intended ] Mine will not flex out unless there is real pressure to do so. My point, am I wasting money or would it be advantagous to buy the H-9 before they are out of stock ? MM

Hello mormon Mike. I've got a Kmp L-4. Looks like your J-3. While assembling mine, both the 0-rings on the LG broke. I should mention it was over night. Just the fuse, and two servos. No engine no windows no wings no struts. Are broken o-rings an issue, or did I get some defective ones? Please advise. 1builder

Ahh!! The learning curve has begun. MM and 1 builder. If you read the beginning of the CMP Cub thread, you will notice mention of the bungees breaking while still on the bench being built. Very cheap. Mine broke before the first flight!!. Lowes has the perfect O-rings in their plumbing section. I used the 2in ones and put three on each side and they never broke or gave out. I believe they are made by Delta. Now for you MM. I take pride in my soft landings!! All one of them for every Ten trys Ha Ha!!. I personally dont think you need to get the H-9 gear yet as I flew mine extensively for a year before it started to fatigue. Then one side broke. Got it welded and the other side broke next time out at the field taxiing in!!. Got it welded. Then that same side on the lower part of the bungee assy broke. Got it welded. Then the top one went again and I gave up. The welding could have also changed the mallability of the metal. but I will gaurantee yours will go eventually and yours too 1 builder, no matter how soft the landings are. Its just very cheap metal.

MM. On your first pic do you see where the bungees wrap around the posts at the top? And, do you see where the arm that goes from the center bridge to the bungee assy? Those posts actually go thru the bungee assy. and thru that arm, leaving , I believe, about 1&1/2mm of rod on each side that is actually holding that darn gear together. Any duration of vibration combined with cheap metal is doomed to fail.

You can still buy the World Models 1/4 scale Cub and paint it green. It's a better plane.

O-rings are faulty. Mine broke as I looked at them moments after I installed them !. HPI springs and thicker, better quality O-rings combination will work but reports are that the metal gear is weak at the welds and are braking. H-9 Cub gear appears to be a better solution. $78 bucks though, But I believe I'll order one. 87054 Exhaust Manifold springs are the HPI product number from Tower Hobbies if ypu want to try that combo. It certainly is much stronger. Great flying Cub, straight take-offs and landings [strange ] Seeya, MM

From 1builder. Since I started this thread and raved about KMP's L-4 I thought I would set the record straight. First off KMP advertises this plane as having a "beautiful fabric covering". Not mine. Clear heat shrink film, painted. Second. The elevator pushrod exit is in the wrong location. It should be higher on the fuse. I ended up putting a servo in the rear of the plane. Third, if you put the rear most side windows in, you cut out a piece of the insignia. Looks bad. Fourth, KMP logo on the cowl. I hear the landing gear is prone to breaking, time will tell. I think KMP needs to build one of each of their kits before release. I can live with all the issues except one. IF it is advertised to have a fabric covering, it should have a fabric covering. Don't like be lied to. Buyer beware. Before you start bashing me, I have contacted Andrew about all of these issues. 1builder

Hey 1 builder. I think I can speak for everyone in saying that we would never bash you!!. Your the customer and you expect, like all of us, to receive whats advertised. Little things like this seem to happen with just about every supplier and aircraft. Some more than others. Yes, its a let down however, your plane will still fly great and your going to smile every time you fly it. You havent let any one down. I still would like to get one. Bob

It's good to remember, bashing wont get us anywhere's. It just "P.O's" some defensive people off. It's just a given in my book that when we take on this hobby, it's up to our own skill's and ingenuity to make improvments on the less than good thought-out ARF"s that are out there. With that in mind............. Bob, it's more clear now what you described on the gear fatigue. What tha heck, it's only money, right ? So I ordered an H-9 Cub gear. The L-4 does have a certain amount of appeal but I already have 37 fully operational aircraft. Look's like the Turbo Porter 1.40 size thread has fizzled out, is it boring ? MM

I hope it hasnt fizzeled out but like you, I just bounce around to my other planes and will eventually arrive back there. I wish ACF would finish his so we had more to talk about. I guess they didnt import many on the first run and we will have to wait for the next run and new blood!! Im finally gonna fly my cub tomorrow and put the new gear thru some of my "soft" landings. LOL!!

I disagree with MormonMike, this is not a given and we should not except false advertisment. I really hate to hear this. I had checked into this plane when they first hit the threads and was thinking about getting one. What I read was they were covered in Solartex and air brushed, decals applied, then air bushed with a clear coat. and that is to me what set it above some of the others. If this is true, There is nothing to stop a vendor from advertising a 100" plane but when you open the box it's only 90". Once again, if this is true about the covering they will never get my business.

Zippi, I appreciate your dis-agreement. But, I'm somewhat puzzled about it. I should have maybe clarified my remark a little better. When I purchase "advertized top quality " ARF's, I too, expected the best in matierials and workmanship, However, when an engine pulls itself out of a firewall due to spotty glue [hit and miss] plus the same through out the fuselage and wings, I tend to doubt any claims the manufacturer would advertise. From that learning point, I go over the entire plane at the critcal areas to "insure" that I wont have a costly crash. This is learning and gaining expierience. False advertisment is wrong but how are you going to correct them. Again I'll state, dealing with this hobby means your willing to pay the money, you have to just about accept what's put together and make it work unless you have a lot of money to go to court over it and prove your case of false advertising. Like Bob, I enjoy the challenge of making something better out of a less than top quality product that I too was decieved about. Respectfully yours, MM