Just completed my 2nd flight with my RTF J-3 Cub. Whilst basically OK, when flying into the wind it either virtually hovers, a bit of up elevator and I'm stalling/looping. The wind speed at ground level was very low but as I have been flying at or near the top of a slight hill I suspect the wind speed is consideably more as the Cub gains height? Do you agree this is most likely the cause? Taking off into the wind is no problem, it is that first turn after gaining a bit of hieght turning so I am flying with thw wind and the wind just takes the plane, leaving me no alternative but to turn again, same process with the plane getting further away each time as unable to make much headway into the wind. This was how I nearly had a fly away as turning into the wind to get the plane to come towards me merely results in it ending up further away and so on. Any ideas? Do you agree I should find a lower field or am I missing something in my technique, or have I discovered the limitations of a parkflyer that wieghs 18 ounces (510g) with a 370 power unit? It flys faster than scale as it is, any faster and it would look stupid in my opinion, for a Cub. I don't understand why it takes off so well into the wind then gets less controlable with a bit (not much-20-30 feet) of height.

any thoughts greatly appreciated.

The RTF Cubs, like the ParkZone, are very touchy when it comes to wind. They are very light for their wing size which is what makes them so good at flying slowly, and so poor at battling the wind. When you find your plane flying into the wind, keep the nose of the plane down. If you let the plane get level, the wind will pick up the wings like a kite and the plane will stall, droping to one side or the other. You need to go to the high pitch prop and get a stronger motor if you want to fly in windy situations.

Sometimes it will be almost calm at ground level and more than 10mph above tree top. At those times it is best to land the plane as soon as possible and come back on a calmer day. When you have such a differential, the wind frequently gusts, which can cause all kinds of problems for flying.

Thanks for the reply Leo L. When I launched by hand I put a little up trim on the elevator, I suppose this would make the effects I described worst?

On a related but different question, my Cub comes with 4ch 35m radio. I asked the guy at the HS I bought it how much 3 or 4 srvos & a RX would be (replacement parts for my Cub) so I can install them into another aircraft (a GWS ARTF for example) whilst leaving my Cub un scathed?. Would it be OK to fit ANY 35m RX as long as the crystals matched and any suitable servos so I am not limited to replacement spares only if I want to use my TX on a different model?

Can anyone recommend a good 'proprietary' 4Ch RX that would suit my 'RTF' 35 M TX, or is it best to use the stock Cub replacement part (not even sure if that stock RX has 4Ch cabability as only 3 CH are used on my Cub?)

Last question-How does one determine the size/type of servo to use for foam or balsa park flyers from about 370-480 size motor models? Surely the type and size of the R/C equipment supplied with my Cub would be sufficient?

A good upgrade motor that will help with the wind is the Venom Fireball motor. It is one of the most popular mods to the Cub and turns it into a completely different animal. It works with the stock electronics if you are wondering.

HS-55s should get the job done. You may want HS-81s because they are close to the same size as stock servos. I'm not a servo wiz so you'll probably want to wait for someone else to give servo advice before you listen to mine.

Ditto what flying ace said. The 55's will do you well, the 81's are a bit of overkill.
Don't waste your money on a second PZ rx and servos. They will cost you in the end.
As for a tx....Well here's what I tell any beginning pilot. Ask yourself if this is something you plan on continuing with. If it is, don't go with a 4 channel radio. When you get more experience under your belt, you'll want to go with more options on your planes, like landing gear or flaps. Can't do it with only 4 channels as you are using them for the control surfaces and the motor. Look at a 6 channel radio to start. Buy the best you can, as it will last you a long time.
I have somewhere around 20 birds, and I use 1 tx and I've had it for years.

If your cub wing is held on with rubber bands, shim up the back of the wing with a couple of popsicle sticks and you will get better wind penetration.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have just realised that I set a slight bit of up trim on the elevator just to make sure the cub went up not down on my first 2 'maiden' flights. I bet this didn't help? Doh!!! Wouldn't putting something under the trailing edge of the wing to increase the incidence make it difficult to hand launch and gain altitude without stalling?

Shimming up the back of the wing would decrease the incidence. If you try it, put in a couple of clicks of up trim as it will tend to put the nose down, which is what makes it penetrate better. Once you get it up a ways trim it to suit yourself. Shouldn't affect the hand launch at all from the way you've been doing it. This is how we got penetration in the wind when we flew rudder and throttle only. That was a few years ago.