Hangar 9 !/4-scale PNP Piper J-3 Cub

[Gerryy]

Just got out test model in and it really looks like a winner! 106 inch span, Zenoah G-20ei gas engine and all you have to do is add your own receiver. Everything else is installed.

I am installing a Spektrum DX7 radio and I replaced the included pilot figure with one of my older 1/4-scale pilots. The one included was too small and was a military pilot.

4 bolts hold the tail feathers on and the wing slides on over an aluminum tube. Flying it this Friday!

[Gerryy]

At the flying field, the new Hangar 9 1/4-scale Cub showed very high marks. The engine started without a hitch and the basic control throws in the instructions were right on for a first flight. I did increase throws about 20% for better aerobatics.

[Gerryy]

some more details of the Cub. The cotter pin and clip attachment system for the wing struts is great and saves a lot of time in setting the model up at the field. Also it allows the struts to remain on the wing for storage and they fold down relatively flat! But they do touch the aileron control horns. Also I added some bubblewrap padding so the bolts of the jury struts don't poke into the wing covering.

[Gerryy]

What can I say!? This model flies like a Cub should. It has excellent throttle response and can be airborne in about 25 feet if there is a headwind. Aileron response is excellent and a little bit of aileron to rudder mixing smooths out the turns nicely. Stalls are gentle loops and rolls are slow and graceful.

[tailskid]

Looking good! How's the fuel consumption?

[Gerryy]

fuel consumption is very impressive. I would guess at least 45 minutes per 17 oz. tank.

I flew the Cub at Rhinebeck this weekend and there were 3 others there so we flew formation and touch and go flights.

I ran the ignition battery down so on the last flight I dead sticked into the tall grass at the end of the run way. no damage

But a very annoying thing was that the foam wheels keep coming off of the molded plastic hubs. They need to be glued into place with something like C 56 or Zap 560 canopy glue. other than that the cub is a great plane!

[tailskid]

Wow! that sounds like a nice 'all-day' running engine! Hope Rhinebeck was a success like usual.

[Gerryy]

Yes, indeed, Rhinebeck Jamboree was indeed a big success with over 200 pilots registered.
GY

[ErikHall]

I cant wait when mine kits arrive.... should be here next week. Looking so great!!

[Gerryy]

Be sure to use a little Thin CA and glue the tires to the plastic wheel rims!
The tires can roll off on landings if there is a lot of side load.
GY

[ErikHall]

For sure... I bought that ARF version. How´s the engine power??? is it enough for that plane, i mean that Zenoah 20EI.
I just got mail, my kit will be here tomorrow ;)

[Gerryy]

The Zenoah G-20EI is a perfect size for the model. It swings a 16x6 prop which is right in the Saito 150 / 120 range. A Saito 180 would swing a 16x8 prop with gusto, far too much power for the model and a lot of fuel to burn. The Zenoah can fly I would guess about 45 minutes on a tank full. Just remember to recharge both the radio battery as well as the ignition battery. I use a 2400mAh battery for both. (comes with the PNP version) and I charged up the radio battery every night during the Rhinebeck jamboree, but from habit, I forgot to charge the ignition battery. On my loast flight of the weekend, the ignition battery went south and the engine faulted to an idle timing and I had to land off the runway since I could not use throttle. No damage, not even a broken prop, but embarassing.
Good luck!
An old G-23 would be cheaper fit exactly the same and no worry about an ignition battery. swings a 15x6.
The G-26 is too much engine. Way too much power swinging an 18x6 prop
GY

[ErikHall]

Finaly my Piper is ready, and made first flight last saturday. Everything went well, it flies really nice and it looks so real during the flying. But there is one thing, what kind of ingnition battery you use and how long you can fly with it. I have 3000mAh battery for the engine ignition. I fly about one hour and the engine use ~900mAh.

Greetings,

-Tom-

[Gerryy]

That sounds about right. I have a 2400mAh ignition battery but I now recharge all the batteries after 3 or 4 flights, just to be safe. I drained the battery once during a flight and the engine just went to idle so I had to make a "powered_ dead stick landing off of the runway! This happened at the past Rhinebeck Jamboree...
GY