Great Planes Piper J-3 Cub 40 Kit - GPMA0160 - Manual (Page 2)

INTRODUCTION ................................................................2
Precautions ..................................................................3
DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE ........................................3
Engine Selection ..........................................................3
Wing Configuration ......................................................4
Muffler Selection ..........................................................4
REQUIRED ITEMS ............................................................4
Required Accessories..................................................4
Adhesives & Building Supplies ....................................4
Covering Tools .............................................................4
Optional Supplies & Tools ............................................4
IMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES.......................................5
COMMON ABBREVIATIONS ............................................5
TYPES OF WOOD .............................................................6
GET READY TO BUILD .....................................................6
DIE-CUT PATTERNS .........................................................6
TAIL FEATHERS................................................................8
Build the Rudder ..........................................................8
Build the Fin.................................................................9
Build the Stabilizer .......................................................9
Build the Elevators .....................................................10
Cut the Hinge Slots....................................................11
WING ASSEMBLY ...........................................................11
Build the Wing Panels................................................11
Joining the Wing Panels ............................................15
Install the Aileron Linkage .........................................17
Install LE and TE Sheeting ........................................18
Install Center Sheeting ..............................................20
Build the Ailerons.......................................................21
Install Ailerons ...........................................................22
FUSELAGE ASSEMBLY .................................................23
Prepare Fuse Parts....................................................23
Assemble Fuselage ...................................................25
Install Engine Mount and Fuel Tank ..........................28
Final Fuselage Assembly...........................................29
Mount Stabilizer and Fin ............................................30
Install Main Landing Gear..........................................32
Mount the Wing to the Fuse ......................................33
Install Servos, Horns, and Pushrods .........................34
Control Throws...........................................................35
FINAL ASSEMBLY ..........................................................35
Install Wing Struts (Optional) .....................................35
Install Receiver, Switch, and Battery .........................36
Install Cowl.................................................................37
Additional Fuelproofing ..............................................38
Balance the Airplane Laterally...................................38
Final Sanding .............................................................38
Covering.....................................................................38
Apply Decals and Trim ...............................................39
Glue the Hinges .........................................................39
Build the Cockpit Floor (Optional)..............................39
Painting the Pilot (Optional) .......................................40
Building the Seats (Optional) .....................................40
Build the Landing Gear Suspension (Optional) .........40
Build the Dummy Engines .........................................41
Other Scale Details....................................................42
Install the Windshield .................................................42
Install the Side Windows............................................43
Balance Your Model ...................................................43
Final Hookups and Checks........................................43
PREFLIGHT .....................................................................44
Charge the Batteries..................................................44
Find a Safe Place to Fly ............................................44
Ground Check the Model...........................................44
Range Check Your Radio...........................................44
Engine Safety Precautions ........................................44
AMA SAFETY CODE ......................................................45
FLYING.............................................................................45
2-VIEW DRAWING...........................................Back Cover
Thank you for purchasing the Great Planes Piper J-3 Cub!
This J-3 Cub kit is a 1/5.5 (18%) scale model of a full-size J-3
Cub and retains the real plane’s great flying characteristics.
You will find the J-3 Cub easy to build and fly, very
predictable and fairly aerobatic, yet it has no bad habits.
Although the model is sufficiently close to scale that it can
place well in sport-scale competition, traditional Great
Planes interlocking construction makes it simple to build a
great-looking and straight airplane that is sturdy enough to
take along every time you go to the flying field.
If you have chosen this kit as your first R/C model, it is
important that you find an experienced modeler to help you
throughout the building and flying of this plane. He should
thoroughly check the plane over before flying it and help you
with the first flights. The J-3 Cub is a big airplane and lacks
the self-recovery characteristics of a good basic trainer
such as the Great Planes PT Series airplanes. On the other
hand, if you have already learned the basics of R/C flying
and you are able to safely handle a “trainer” airplane, the J-
3 Cub is an excellent choice.
Scale Model Research has photo sets and drawings of full
scale Piper Cubs available. These can help provide good
documentation for scale detailing and contests. Their
address is 3114 Yukon Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 and
their phone number is (714) 979-8058.
For the latest technical updates or manual corrections to the
Piper J-3 Cub .40, visit the web site listed below and select
the Great Planes Piper J-3 Cub .40. If there is new technical
information or changes to this kit a “tech notice” box will
appear in the upper left corner of the page.
http://www.greatplanes.com/airplanes/index.html
INTRODUCTION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2