I've been trying to fly my cub which I've just finished but it hasn't been going that well. I'm a newbie who doesn't live anywhere near to a club, but I've got a fellow helping me who's been involved in the sport for quite some time.

Here's the situation.

This has happened to us both times we flew the plane.

We begin our take off roll, lift off, nice and straight, but climbing quite steep. We apply a little forward elevator and then the right wing drops and the nose heads straight down. We pull back on the stick to try and recover but no go. First time just broke a prop, 2nd time we damaged the wing near the root. Damage not too bad and will be ready to go in an evening.

So far I've enjoyed building it more than flying it. I would really appreciate any suggestions you may have.
Thanks

You cannot climb quite steep immediately on take off and retain control. You have an out of control kite at a lower than normal airspeed. The ailerons and elevator are not effective in this situation. As speed increases on the ground, do not hold up elevator, at least not as much, and as soon as you are leaving the ground try to neutralize the elevator.

It sounds like it could also be a bit tail heavy, try checking the CG it sould be about 25% MAC

It always helps to have more info. What model Cub, wingspan, engine. Was this a kit? Your first?

Does the guy helping you have enough experience to judge CG or proper alignment?

From what little you've said, tail heavy is one (good) possibility, but it also sounds like the elevator might be way out of trim, and/or there's little or too little downthrust in the engine, and/or wing or stab incidences could be off. This sounds like a classic tip stall. As 4*60 said, climbing too steeply, especially at takeoff, but not exclusively, can cause this very reaction.
Dennis-

Are you sure there are no clubs close? I thought Manatoba was huge. It would be worth driving a ways to get qualified help and would save you crashing again.

If not, as stated, check CG and make sure you don't have way too much or way too little control throws. The book for the plane should be able to tell you how much to use.

Sounds like a classic departure stall though.

Hi guys, thanks for the responses.

My plane is a GP 40. It has an OS40 engine. It is the first plane I've built. The fellow helping me now has built several planes but didn't help me build this one. I didn't know at the time that he was interested in the hobby. He has been a lot of help since then.
I live north of the 53rd parallel approximately 600km from Winnipeg.
Hope this helps.