Revell Super Cub

Don - the only changes in a scale model would be firewall forward - mostly the engine and cowling. Everything else that is different is all internal (wing attachment method, fuel tanks, etc).

Sorry I can't help you with the engine

The Super Cub is actually a completely different fuselage, and while the wing airfoil is the same, each successive version added more ribs to the wing to handle the heavier wing loadings and speeds, the spacing is closer.  The thrust line of the engine changed, the fuselage is wider in the cockpit, and where the wing front spars attach is at the fuselage side and not in the center as in the J-3.  The tubing just behind the windshield goes from the outside on the bottom to the middle on the top on the J-3, on the PA-18 the tubes start in the middle at the bottom and go to the outside on the top to accommodate the new way the wings were attached at the front spar.  The wing incidence and thrust line are both changed.

Well, John about got it all. Not sure how much of that stuff is visible in the modeling world? I could add- bungee covers on the supercub and balanced elevators, meaning the tips of the stabilizers are forward of the hinge line, thus changing the shape of the horizontal tail when viewed from the top. 2 fuel tanks(one in each wing) so you would need to add the covers to the wing tops. Slightly larger mainwheels on the -18. By all means, I'd say its a doable conversion.

Well, sounds like my idea won't work.  The changes to fuselage width and ribs kind of negate the idea.  If we could only convince Revell to do a J-3!  Wonder why they did the super instead of the J-3.

Was the PA-18 fuselage really wider that the J-3? Assuming we're not talking about a wide-bodied -18?

I guess that whether it can be done or not depends on how fussy you are,  or not.  From my perspective having been around, flown, and worked on both, it wouldn't be good enough, if I wanted a 1/32 J-3 I'd rather scratchbuild it.  But I recognize, accept, and feel just fine that anyone would rather modify the Revell kit, because this is all supposed to be what makes the builder happy.

I did plans for a 1/6 scale J-3 many years ago for R/C that were published, and I would be happy to share the drawings needed to build a scratch version.

Don, I think the Revell kit most closely resembles the L-21, which is similar to the PA-18-135 and that may be because the German military used them.  That may be the reason they did that version.

The cockpit of the PA-18 is definitely different, the J-3 is pretty tight.  When I was flying mine when I was 16 I used to sit in the front because our farm strip was very narrow and I could see better.  Worked OK when I weighed 135 at the most.  Last time I flew a J-3 from the front it was a tight squeeze since I weighed about 190 then.  For CG reasons solo flight is supposed to be from the rear seat only in a J-3.

There is a lot more room in the front seat of the PA-18, both forward and on both sides, and they can be flown solo from the front seat.  My favorite of all the Cubs is the 90 horsepower PA-11.

jeaton01

 My favorite of all the Cubs is the 90 horsepower PA-11.

Amen Brother! I grew up flying in my Grandpa's -11, with only the C-65 though. My Uncle then bought it when my Grandpa passed and upgraded to the 90 hp engine. Huge change!

Only "cub" I ever rode in was an L-4, and that was over sixty years ago, so I sure don't remember much about it.  Plus, I was a small kid then, so any plane had plenty of cockpit room.

Despite what anyone says I believe a credible Revell pa 18 to J-3 Cub conversion can be done. See mine from a few years ago.

i1126.photobucket.com/.../7fcf6a76b2b68e389481cf49dd2574d3.jpg

Nice collection, Radial.

Radial

Despite what anyone says I believe a credible Revell pa 18 to J-3 Cub conversion can be done. See mine from a few years ago.

i1126.photobucket.com/.../7fcf6a76b2b68e389481cf49dd2574d3.jpg

Hey, that does look nice!  Is that a scratch 65 horse, or did you just modify the Super Cub engine?

Don, the engine cylinders and exhaust pipes are kit parts simply glued to aplastic block. The scoops were vac formed. The cowl was vac formed, landing gear was changed to the bungee arrangement,tail wheel was scratched ,interior supports were changed. The Revell kit measures out close to my enlarged Paul Matt plans. John is right the fuse is a little wider especially at the firewall.

I maintain fabric planes for a living, have also built and fly a L-18 C (Military PA-18/108) and the size of the standard un-balanced J-3 Cub's stabizor/elevators are smaller in span than on the PA-18/

The PA-18 has a heavier fire wall forward instelation needing the better authority of the larger elevators.

The rudder trailing edge of the J-3 is straight whereas the PA-18 has a curve to it.

As mentioned the "monkey bars" in the cockpit of the J-3 goes from the side of the instrument pannel to the top almost centre of the carry-through front spar.

On the PA-18 they go from the centre of the pannel to the outside sections of the cockpit spar.

You could scratchbuild the tailsections, they are pretty much a flat section and in 1/32 scale no one would be able to tell anyway.

Theuns

Thanks, guys. I have reconsidered again, and maybe it is doable, though I would not increase the fuselage width.  Other changes seem doable.  I would not even have to wait till I come up to speed on the 3D printing- that conversion of the kit engine looks pretty good.

Yeah, if a judge has a digital caliper and good scale drawings he might be able to find inaccuracies, but by sight it looks like it will pass.  Have to build the OOB kit first, then pick up another kit.

jeaton01

Nice collection, Radial.

Don, is the model for a contest?

If I do any build with a lot of effort, I try to make it contest-worthy.

Lon,PB is not working. Wil post more pics when it's sorted out.