Hi,

I am considering making the jump into large, petrol powered models. I have flown R/C for more than 20 years, though the last 3 or 4 have been exclusively helicopter. Now I am looking for a new challenge!

I am considering the Sig 1/4 scale clipped wing Cub with a Zenoah 26. Any advice, or other suggestions? I definitely want a wooden, self-built model, and definitely want petrol, mainly because of the cost of glow fuel here.

I would also be interested to hear from anyone who has flown the clipped-wing Cub on floats or skis.

The first step is to try and sell a helicopter or two to make room in my workshop and help to pay for my new model!

Cheers,

I would not do the Sig kit. The cowl is too small and you will butcher it beyond recognition--trust me on this one. The thrust line in the Cub is a bit high as I remember for the G23- although it has been done. The Balsa USA Cub (then take out the 2-3 ribs out of the end of the wing and adjust the ailirons accordingly for clipped wing) I think is a better work around the G26. If you were to do the Sig, I have heard the RCS 1.40 or MVVS 1.6 gas would be a decent combo.

Thanks for the advice, though unfortunately, Sig kits are available here, but the Balsa USA are not.

No problem-- In that case I would choose to use the RCS or MVVS gas engines as they are both beam mounted and I do think you may be able to conceal most of the engine and muffler. They may cost $150-$200 more than the Zenoah, but they are a bit lighter too. If you can't do that, what I did is ordered a fiberglass cowl for a Super Cub and it will cover most if not all of it. (Yea, I know it robs the scale looks, but then having a chain saw engine sticking out the side sorta does the same)

Have you considered the Dynaflite Super Cub? It does well with a G23, and should do even better with a G26. The larger cowl fits around the stock muffler. Try to keep the weight down to 15 pounds, and you'll have a winner.

The DSC can be flown without the struts for just fooling around, and the SIG floats should fit it just fine.

Roger

If you want the best engine to fit inside that narrow cowl of a 1/4 Cub, few petrol engines can beat the Ryobi 31cc conversion. The rear carb, rear exhaust engine makes for a very long and narrow engine - perfect for Cubs.

Otherwise, the Zenoah 26cc would be a fine choice. Cubs have plenty of wing area, so you don't need to be too weight conscious with the engine.

Thanks for all the info, keep it coming! I am somewhat restricted in my choice due to my location, no Dyna-flight kits here as far as I can tell and importing kits is expensive.

I am not too bothered about scale appearance, so long as it looks about right in the air and flies well, having an engine sticking out of the cowl isn't going to bother me. I do like the idea of a Super Cub cowl; where can I get one?

After all, I reckon that if I had a full-scale Cub, I might want to fit a bigger engine and then change the cowl, so long as it is 'appropriate' and 'feasible', then I'll use it. I'm not planning on entering a scale comp with it!

Cheers,

Just to say that I have now bought my Sig clipped-wing Cub kit and am now seriously thinking about the engine. The Zenoah seems to be the one with the best availability and support in these parts.

Would like to hear from anyone flying this model on petrol.

The SIG clipped wing Cub and the Zenoah G26 should be a fine combination. It'll probably have enough power to carry the plane on floats, too. Sounds like a winner.

Roger

Great, that's what I need to hear! Anyine actually flying this combo?

I built two of them several years back, one for myself and one for a friend. Both had the G23 engine. Mine had the long wing, and his had both the long wing and the clipped wing. The planes were light enough to fly realistically at low throttle settings, but performed well if flown aggressively.

We also put some SIG floats on my friends plane and flew it with the long wing.

As always, careful building and keeping the weight down will really pay off with the Cubs.

Roger

Thanks, that's great. I was planning on putting the elevator & rudder servos near the back to help counterbalance the weight of the engine. I also thought of using one servo for each elevator half, mainly for safety.

I had them at the rear of the cabin. With the battery near the landing gear, I didn't need any weight to balance the planes.

Roger

Thanks, good to know, and it avoids having to use long leads.

I have the Sig Clipped version and fly it with the Saito 1.8. Great combo. I have been told that I usually put a Corvette engine in my planes,, but I think the 1.8 is a great combo and it is small enough to fit the cowl. (if you put it inverted only a small part will extend. ) I side mounted and let the cyl ext with scale cyl on the other side. Jim

Nice looking Cub, and I bet it sounds great with the 4 stroke, but I am definitely going for petrol this time - 10% glow fuel costs $24 gallon over here!!