Chip, While I own the disks and a lifetime magic key, and Iknow that there are literally hundreds of different models tobuild, I still find that I build more J-3 Cubs than any othermodel. I give them away to friends and aquaintences, I help CubScouts and neighborhood kids with model building, etc. The J-3is still the best plane to get people started on. This weekendI will be giving away 10 of them (built and unbuilt) as prizesat a charity fundraiser. I have printed a couple hundred J-3sand I have built dozens of them. You would think that I shouldn'thave problems wouldn't you? But, I DO have problems with the J-3Cub!
My problems seem to stem from a weight and balance issue. Youhave to understand that I am 6'4" tall and I put 260 lbson the hoof. With my size and a full load of fuel the poor littleCub is just not up to my flying them around the house.
With that little engine, taking off from the bath tub withfloats is hazardous to say the least. Many a Cub hasn't clearedthe edge the tub with diasterous results. Short field take-offslike from the top of the computer monitor have similar problems.
The attached picture will show you what I have done as a remedy.I have taken the FG Cub and with a 150 horse engine and a newpaint scheme (Piper factory standard) I am now building SuperCubs!
The short field performance is spectacular compared to theJ-3. The flaps allow for very short landings and the horsepowerreally makes a difference on take off. I still have to put oneon floats, but I am anticipating great things. We had six inchesof snow this morning... maybe I should put it on skis! As theweather clears, I will have to build some 'tundra tires' likethe real bush pilots have.
I still have a few details to work out before I send you themodel Super Cub, but I thought you might like to know the directionI am taking.
BTW, I mailed a completed model of a Super Decathlon to Greg Koontzthis afternoon. He should get it in a couple of days. -Jim Gausman