***CUB BROTHERHOOD***
#4426
Senior Member

Poking away little by little. It seems quite counter productive to spend the time to glue the 2 halves of the cowl together and glass the inside and then cutting it into 2 pieces again. The only way to get the cowl over the twin is to cut it on a horizontal line thru the cylinders. It took a while to get the nerve up to cut apart the cowl as it is the first one I have done. The cowl is now cut and I am in the process of fitting it around the cylinders and the exhaust. I have the bottom part pretty much done and am working on the top half.
I did run into one issue. I didn't plan the location of the throttle cable with respect to the exhaust. I am going to have to move where the cable comes thru the firewall inboard a bit as it is rubbing against the flex exhaust.

Cowl cut apart after being glued together

Right side

Left side

Initial exhaust routing
I did run into one issue. I didn't plan the location of the throttle cable with respect to the exhaust. I am going to have to move where the cable comes thru the firewall inboard a bit as it is rubbing against the flex exhaust.

Cowl cut apart after being glued together

Right side

Left side

Initial exhaust routing
#4427


I have cut several sig cowls to fit around dummy engines, here are some pictures to maybe give some ideas.

lower cowl with OS GT 22 engine on 1/4 scale Sig Cub. firewall is moved back from side sheets to clear rear carb


dummy engine from Top Notch Product Company, Aluminum eyebrows help duct air into cowl. balsa block on bottom of fuselage is relived to provide air exhaust

Hold down clips are made from rc car body clips and 440 rigging couplers. (idea from Cub Den site)


lower cowl with OS GT 22 engine on 1/4 scale Sig Cub. firewall is moved back from side sheets to clear rear carb


dummy engine from Top Notch Product Company, Aluminum eyebrows help duct air into cowl. balsa block on bottom of fuselage is relived to provide air exhaust

Hold down clips are made from rc car body clips and 440 rigging couplers. (idea from Cub Den site)

#4428
Senior Member

Completed the cowl and the mounting method for my Cub. Drilled holes in the fuse for hard points for the cowl screws using a sharpened brass tube. This provided a cleaner hole. Used Tightbond III to glue the dowels into the fuse and then sanded flush. I added some plywood to the front of the bottom cowl for screws to hold the front of the top cowl piece.
I am starting to build the struts. I have added a strip of aluminum under the rear landing gear mounts to tie the strut fuselage mount point together. I also added a strip under the front mounts to keep the landing gear level with the fuse. I am using K&M airfoil "tubes" for the struts so I am making an aluminum "Y" for where the 2 struts join at the fuse. I still have to finish the mounts and then I will cut the airfoil stock to length and epoxy the tubes to the mounts.
Still a lot of fussy work to go to get this bird in the air.

I drilled the screw holes in the cowl first and then transferred the locations to the fuselage to locate the holes

Hard points installed and sanded flush

Cowl mounted. I still need to trim the openings a little more.

Robart landing gear and Dubro 1/4 scale tires

Finally up on her wheels.
I am starting to build the struts. I have added a strip of aluminum under the rear landing gear mounts to tie the strut fuselage mount point together. I also added a strip under the front mounts to keep the landing gear level with the fuse. I am using K&M airfoil "tubes" for the struts so I am making an aluminum "Y" for where the 2 struts join at the fuse. I still have to finish the mounts and then I will cut the airfoil stock to length and epoxy the tubes to the mounts.
Still a lot of fussy work to go to get this bird in the air.

I drilled the screw holes in the cowl first and then transferred the locations to the fuselage to locate the holes

Hard points installed and sanded flush

Cowl mounted. I still need to trim the openings a little more.

Robart landing gear and Dubro 1/4 scale tires

Finally up on her wheels.
#4430
Senior Member

I am getting closer to starting to cover this project. I have the wings mounted and spent the last bit of time building the wing struts. I decided to follow the build of Sun Devil Pilot from a number of years ago and used K&S aluminum air foil shape tubing instead of the hardwood provided in the kit. I didn't have the correct length screws so some of them are too long. I will get the correct ones installed later. I now will drill and pin each of the end connections with a 1/8" brass rod.


Jury strut to wing connection

Y shaped aluminum plate inserted into the struts and epoxied. I will drill and pin with a 1/8" brass rod.

The pilot checking out the progress


Jury strut to wing connection

Y shaped aluminum plate inserted into the struts and epoxied. I will drill and pin with a 1/8" brass rod.

The pilot checking out the progress
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capt1597 (04-27-2021)
#4432
Senior Member

Well, the structure work is now done. I am ready to start covering and finishing the build. The plan is to follow the typical Hazel Sig clipped wing Cub scheme but use a dark red as the base color with gold stripes. I will start covering the wings and ailerons as I want to paint the interior. Leaning towards white but might go gray.














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capt1597 (05-09-2021)
#4435

I reinforced the plastic cowl with f/g on the inside especially around the mounting points.
I also put servo grommets through the mounting holes.
One of my Sig Cubs is over 8 years old (and in very frequent use) and the cowl is still as new.
I also put servo grommets through the mounting holes.
One of my Sig Cubs is over 8 years old (and in very frequent use) and the cowl is still as new.
#4440

First post in about three years. Just read the whole thread from where I left off. Lot of catching up to do. Still flying a Great planes fabric covered arf with a .70 magnum four stroke. This cub is still my favorite. When time allows a Sig 1/4 scale kit will be on the build table. Loads of good ideas gathered here, I appreciate everyone’s knowledge and willingness to share it! One request, I want to add to/ change my signature and cannot figure it out. If someone could guide this ignorant old man I would appreciate it!
#4441

Call off the dogs! I got it, user control panel at top of page right hand side. Feel pretty good now, maybe not so dumb after all 😏
Last edited by biam; 06-02-2021 at 02:12 PM.
#4444
Senior Member

Thanks FlyerInOKC. It is finally starting to come together. Hopefully I can get it finished and in the air yet this year.
#4445
Senior Member

Well, it has been a long time since the last update. It always seems that the last details always take the longest. Covering is done as is the radio system install and the on board glow plug system. I was going to cut the side windows to fit in each opening but decided this was not a scale competition build so I went with the one sheet for each side of the fuselage. The side of the fuselage where the "N" number goes need something. I will probably not put Hazel's number on it. got to figure that out.
The only thing left to complete is break in the engine and do the final balance. I did an initial balance today and I thought it would come out nose heavy so by adding the pilot it would be closer. But Murphy struck and it is actually nose heavy. Not sure how much weight I will have to add, hopefully not too much. The preliminary weight is 13 pounds.
The only thing left to complete is break in the engine and do the final balance. I did an initial balance today and I thought it would come out nose heavy so by adding the pilot it would be closer. But Murphy struck and it is actually nose heavy. Not sure how much weight I will have to add, hopefully not too much. The preliminary weight is 13 pounds.


Last edited by tmaxx1701; 08-09-2021 at 06:02 AM.
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Steve (08-09-2021)
#4447


Nice looking Cub Tmax. I have had Cubs through out all my years in RC models. Presently have an old model which is really naturally weathered and looks used. It is docil and flies very well. I called my Geriatric attendant. When life brings its stress and a day at the flying field is what I need, I take my Cub and have many, many stress free flights.



I had not heard of the Piper Cub brotherhood and would like to join. Is the moderator available to do the steps? Thanks in advance.
Gonzo



I had not heard of the Piper Cub brotherhood and would like to join. Is the moderator available to do the steps? Thanks in advance.
Gonzo
#4448

My Feedback: (11)

Go back to post #1 and contact CUB MAN he will get you in. There is always space in the barn...
Looks like yours is a H9 1/4 scale.
I have the same and I concur with your description.
Had floats on it as well which didn't hold up very well 2 weeks ago, that caused the plane to be half submerged. No problem... Fired up the engine, was ok. Replaced the floats with the landing gear and away she goes even though all got submerged. I didn't take time to dry anything out but still works like a charm.
108" ws. Saito FA 180 with 6" tires. Cant beat that configuration
Best
Rafeek
Looks like yours is a H9 1/4 scale.
I have the same and I concur with your description.
Had floats on it as well which didn't hold up very well 2 weeks ago, that caused the plane to be half submerged. No problem... Fired up the engine, was ok. Replaced the floats with the landing gear and away she goes even though all got submerged. I didn't take time to dry anything out but still works like a charm.
108" ws. Saito FA 180 with 6" tires. Cant beat that configuration
Best
Rafeek
Last edited by rafeeki; 07-15-2022 at 08:43 AM. Reason: correcting a typo
#4449

Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: lake in the Hills,
IL
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My Sig 1/4 Cub is in the shop for an engine swap. Taking out the very thirsty 3250 ST and replacing it with a FA 180 that I have converted to....Gas and spark!
I don't think the Saito will hover it, but, that isn't ever what I wanted the Cub for anyway. Yea the ST would hover the Cub.
It has been too long since any Cub news. Thanks GONZALOBURES, great pics too.
I don't think the Saito will hover it, but, that isn't ever what I wanted the Cub for anyway. Yea the ST would hover the Cub.
It has been too long since any Cub news. Thanks GONZALOBURES, great pics too.
#4450


Go back to post #1 and contact CUB MAN he will get you in. There is always space in the barn...
Looks like yours is a H9 1/4 scale.
I have the same and I concur with your description.
Had floats on it as well which didn't hold up very well 2 weeks ago, that caused the plane to be half submerged. No problem... Fired up the engine, was ok. Replaced the floats with the landing gear and away she goes even though all got submerged. I didn't take time to dry anything out but still works like a charm.
108" ws. Saito FA 180 with 6" tires. Cant beat that configuration
Best
Rafeek
Looks like yours is a H9 1/4 scale.
I have the same and I concur with your description.
Had floats on it as well which didn't hold up very well 2 weeks ago, that caused the plane to be half submerged. No problem... Fired up the engine, was ok. Replaced the floats with the landing gear and away she goes even though all got submerged. I didn't take time to dry anything out but still works like a charm.
108" ws. Saito FA 180 with 6" tires. Cant beat that configuration
Best
Rafeek
Yes Rafeek, once upon a time it was an Horizon 104" Cub. Why do I say once upon a time.....Horizons planes are good but their covering is a step ahead of lousy. I had to recover most of the plane (its about 15 years old) since its covering was been left a piece a time on every flight.
Still, not bad mouthing Horizon, just asking them to improve or do away with their covering.
I will contact the Cub man for admittance to the brotherhood. Thanks for your reply.
Gonzo