Author Topic: Momogram Piper Cub Special (Read 7586 times)

Richard Logston · « **on:** January 11, 2017, 12:32:32 PM »

Anyone old enough to remember or build the 1948 Monogram Piper Cub Special? This was a Christmas present in 1948. First u/c airplane I actually flew, and a night flight to boot. Crazy kid! Needles to say it lasted about 2 times around before the ground rose up to smite it. I downloaded and printed to size the plan on outerzone and plan on building it, yes with an O&R 23 up front.The original kit had a milled balsa wing with half ribs on the bottom. So will need to modify that area. Any memories or input is welcome. Richard

De Hill · « **Reply #1 on:** January 11, 2017, 04:38:46 PM »

What a coincidence; My first c/l airplane was also a Monogram Piper Cub powered by a front rotor O&R .23.

Dale Kirn won Scale at an early Nats flying a Monogram J-3 Cub.

Mike Keville · « **Reply #2 on:** January 11, 2017, 05:26:23 PM »

Yep, remember those well. Colorado's Mark Gerber currently flies the companion kit, Aeronca Sedan (nicely done, too!).

Richard Logston · « **Reply #3 on:** January 11, 2017, 05:54:00 PM »

Mike, I bought the Aeronca sister sister kit while in high school but for some reason never started it. At that time I was into high school sports and girl friend. I should have built the kit since the sports and girl friend are only memories! Such is life. I might mention that my Cub was actually powered by the O&R 19 sideport on glow. Richard

Mark_Gerber · « **Reply #4 on:** January 11, 2017, 07:40:26 PM »

I got a Monogram Super Cub Special kit off eBay a few months ago and just finished the plans a couple of weeks ago. You can find them and the kit instructions on Outerzone. Just do a search on Monogram Cub. If I can find time I will build a copy to accompany my Monogram Aeronca.

Mike, I'll bring the kit and plans to VSC so you can get a look.

Richard, Glad to hear someone downloaded my plans and is going to build one. It looks like a more challenging build than the Aeronca -- especially the wing struts. I posted the Aeronca plans on Outerzone too.

Mark Gerber

Mike Keville · « **Reply #5 on:** January 11, 2017, 08:35:10 PM »

Quote from: Mark_Gerber on January 11, 2017, 07:40:26 PM

. . .Mike, I'll bring the kit and plans to VSC so you can get a look.
Mark Gerber

===========================================
Mark: Excellent! Can hardly wait to see it. If it's as sweet as your Aeronca it'll be worth a look. Sure do appreciate you "unearthing" these oldies-but-goodies.

Mike

Richard Logston · « **Reply #6 on:** January 12, 2017, 12:52:00 PM »

Amen to that! I'm scratch building from the revised plan on outerzone as mentioned before. I am making a few changes to the construction. Instead of using 3/16 sheet balsa for the fuselage sides with the 1/8 wide groves for the former's to fit into I am using 1/8 balsa sheet and will butt join the former's with triangle gussets. Still contemplating the wing construction, I might build wing upside down and flip over and glue top sheet in place.The plans printed out great at Staples for $7.19 plus tax. I will make post as the build progresses. Richard

Mark_Gerber · « **Reply #7 on:** January 13, 2017, 09:03:50 PM »

I built my Aeronca with 1/8" sides. Easier than notching 3/16". The wing I milled from a 1" plank with a dado head on my table saw to shape the underside. The upper wing surface I used a razor plane and shaped it carefully using an airfoil template.

The windshield I ended up making a mold because I couldn't get the flat sheet to bend to the correct shape.

Looking forward to your build narrative for the Cub

Mark Gerber

Richard Logston · « **Reply #8 on:** January 14, 2017, 10:36:20 AM »

Mark, Thanks for the very informative post. I also am using 1/8 fuselage sides. Thinking about 1/16Th double's from former #4 forward. I have the former's and fuselage sides cut out. next is the 1/2inch square motor mounts.Did you feel fuselage was strong enough without the doubler's while reducing the side frames to 1/8 instead of 3/16? I'm thinking maybe the doubler's are really unnecessary. Richard

Mark_Gerber · « **Reply #9 on:** January 14, 2017, 03:40:19 PM »

I didn't use doublers in the nose of my Aeronca. I think both the Aeronca and Cub have noses sturdy enough to handle an O&R .23 -- especially if you replace the cardstock cowling pieces with carved balsa blocks. I have an O&R .23 in my Aeronca too.

Mark Gerber

Richard Logston · « **Reply #10 on:** January 14, 2017, 05:40:41 PM »

Mark, Thanks, Did you use 1/2 x 9/16th engine bearers to compensate for the thinner fuselage sides? Probably doesn't make that much difference. Richard

Mark_Gerber · « **Reply #11 on:** January 15, 2017, 03:02:24 AM »

I used the stock 1/2" square mounts on my Aeronca.

Mark Gerber

Richard Logston · « **Reply #12 on:** January 15, 2017, 09:59:24 AM »

Mark, Did you use a 3 inch bellcrank? Or did you use the kit control system? Richard

Mark_Gerber · « **Reply #13 on:** January 15, 2017, 08:29:54 PM »

I used a 2" bellcrank as shown on the plans I drew. No bellcrank was furnished in the kit and the instructions lack details on the control system. We think that may have been because Jim Walker held the patents and Monogram didn't want to pay license fees.

Mark Gerber

Richard Logston · « **Reply #14 on:** January 15, 2017, 08:53:19 PM »

The license fee was responsible for allot of plans in that era to omit control details. It made it difficult build for us youngsters. Rchard

Richard Logston · « **Reply #15 on:** January 16, 2017, 01:34:38 PM »

Mark, Can you post a picture of your Aeronca? So far I have the fuselage sides glued to the forward former's will post a picture of progress shortly. Richard

Mark_Gerber · « **Reply #16 on:** January 17, 2017, 07:46:36 PM »

Here's mine soon after I built it about 15 years ago.

Mark Gerber

Richard Logston · « **Reply #17 on:** January 18, 2017, 10:44:34 AM »

Thanks for the picture, very nice! One thing that concerns me is the fuel tank location. It appears I'll have to do some cutting to get the tank at needle valve level. Do you still have your Aeronca? Richard

Richard Logston · « **Reply #18 on:** January 19, 2017, 07:52:50 PM »

Just to bring my project up to date I have the fuselage framed up, tail surfaces on, fuel tank fitted and engine mount holes drilled. I tried to post pictures but they were rejected for being too big. So need to do some research on reducing them. Richard

Mark_Gerber · « **Reply #19 on:** January 22, 2017, 07:26:04 PM »

Yes, I still have my Monogram Aeronca. I also have the original my uncle built around 1950 although it's in pretty rough shape. I've only flown mine about half a dozen times but each time has been lots of fun just for the people watching.

Mark Gerber

Dane Martin · « **Reply #20 on:** January 22, 2017, 08:27:25 PM »

I'm really enjoying you guys discussing this. Next year, I plan on building Don Hutchinson's Cub. I'll be using a big 4 stroke on it.
If you need help resizing, email them and I can do it.

Thanks for posting about my favorite airplane!

Dane Martin · « **Reply #21 on:** February 02, 2017, 01:40:23 PM »

Here's pics of Richards build. Very nice in my opinion!

Richard Logston · « **Reply #22 on:** February 02, 2017, 04:27:10 PM »

Thanks to Dane for posting my pictures!! A little explanation is in order. For those not familiar with the original kit the wing was supplied as a milled balsa piece. I did not have balsa plank big enough to dado and carve one, so I decided to build the wing upside down on the plan using balsa stripes for the LE, TE and spars. Once dry I used a razor plane to shape the LE. Next I glued the top 3/32 sheet on place. Once dry I sanded to shape. Richard

EddyR · « **Reply #23 on:** February 02, 2017, 04:32:24 PM »

I remember seeing one of those around 1950 and thought it was a huge model. I think it has a O&R .19-.23 it .

Ed

Mark_Gerber · « **Reply #24 on:** February 02, 2017, 07:49:54 PM »

Looking good Richard! I will be interested to see how you tackle the wing struts. The cub has more complicated struts than the aeronca. Keep the pictures coming. Yours may be the first Monogram cub to be built in decades.

Mark Gerber

Richard Logston · « **Reply #25 on:** February 03, 2017, 09:28:23 AM »

Mark, I will keep the pictures coming as long as Dane is willing to post them for me. I downloaded a picture resizer but it is still saying my pictures are to large. Richard

john e. holliday · « **Reply #26 on:** February 03, 2017, 10:08:53 AM »

If you are using a digital camera, you can resize what size the pictures will be. Now I only have to edit for the other sites I seldom go to or if I want to post more than a half dozen pictures on one post.

Richard Logston · « **Reply #27 on:** February 03, 2017, 11:53:22 AM »

Yes I am using a digital camera and downloaded a picture resizer. I reduced the size of my pictures and downloaded to laptop from were I posted to this site, but were rejected as too big. Another digital challenge.Richard

Richard Logston · « **Reply #28 on:** February 04, 2017, 02:32:04 PM »

Well, the wing half's are joined and trial fitted to the fuselage. Next fit the struts which I will make them removable, even thought about making the wing removable but probably wont. After the struts finish sand and yes, I'm going to use dope. Here are some pic.

Glenn (Gravitywell) Reach · « **Reply #29 on:** February 04, 2017, 05:17:23 PM »

Piper Cubs and VW Beatles, they just make me go....awwwwww! Love the build.

Dane Martin · « **Reply #30 on:** February 04, 2017, 05:26:06 PM »

Woah! That is amazing

Steve Thornton · « **Reply #31 on:** February 05, 2017, 06:23:54 AM »

One of my first balsa builds was a Monogram P-51 in 1958-9, followed by a Corsair, and others. I don't think I ever built a plastic kit after that! Sure would be nice to see those come back, they were easy to build and required only glue, sandpaper, a razor blade, paint...AeroGloss of course.
Very nice!
Steve

Richard Logston · « **Reply #32 on:** February 05, 2017, 06:21:14 PM »

Working on the struts. They will bolt on at both ends. I was able to post the last pictures so will send pic's of strut progress soon. Richard

Richard Logston · « **Reply #33 on:** February 10, 2017, 09:16:06 PM »

Did a little work on the struts. Richard

Mark_Gerber · « **Reply #34 on:** February 11, 2017, 04:28:11 PM »

Very nice Richard. It never occurred to me to use wire for the vertical wing struts. Great idea! Keep the pictures coming.

Mark Gerber

Richard Logston · « **Reply #35 on:** February 11, 2017, 11:16:11 PM »

I also used wire lead out guides not seen in the pictures. Richard

Richard Logston · « **Reply #36 on:** February 14, 2017, 10:46:38 AM »

A little update. I did a revision on the struts, Reason, I did not like the strut attach at the fuselage so changed it as you can see in the picture. Also used wire lead out guides instead of ply shown on plan. The wire is not as obvious as the ply one. The strut arrangement is the same as the Balsa USA 1/4 scale Cub. They are re-moveable in case of damage, same as the landing gear. Next is the final sanding and covering. Richard

Richard Logston · « **Reply #37 on:** February 23, 2017, 05:36:06 PM »

Covered the wings with polyspan, heatshrunk and applied two coats clear dope. I dope in the garage with heat on. Today was clear and dry, possible rain tomorrow. Richard

Gerald Arana · « **Reply #38 on:** February 23, 2017, 05:45:54 PM »

Well I'll be! My Dad built one of those back in the late 40's or early 50's. I think it had a Torp twin stack in it, but my memory is a bit fuzzy about the details. It didn't fly very well as I remember and was boring (For a young kid) to just go round-n-round!

Roy, do you remember this plane?

Cheers, Jerry

Roy DeCamara · « **Reply #39 on:** February 24, 2017, 10:30:20 PM »

Hey Bub!! I do remember seeing one in the garage. Wasn't it painted yellow and sort of a metallic grey color??? If it had the twin stack Torpedo, that is the motor I have in my green Warrior. Man, that was a long time ago!! Roy

Richard Logston · « **Reply #40 on:** February 25, 2017, 12:07:34 PM »

Yep! Along time ago, it was this time of the year in 1948 that I was finishing my original Christmas gift Cub. Now here I am finishing another (scratch built). Yesterday I fiber glassed the top cowl hatch. Today will fiber glass the front fuselage area with fine FG. The FG forms to the curves in the cowl area. When I finished the original back in 48 I just painted it in yellow no clear, money was scarce. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Richard

Richard Logston · « **Reply #41 on:** February 28, 2017, 09:16:17 PM »

Today I finished putting on the polyspan with dope. Tomorrow I plan on some light sanding prior to dope and talc filler with a touch of yellow to tint the process. At this rime I'm thinking of painting it the same as the kit box picture. Will show pictures in a few days. Richard PS Am I mistaken, but didn't Monogram also kit a model of the Vagabond in this series?

john e. holliday · « **Reply #42 on:** February 28, 2017, 10:23:09 PM »

Make sure you don't sand into the poly-span. I usually put on several coats of thinned dope before I even think of sanding the rough edges.

Richard Logston · « **Reply #43 on:** March 01, 2017, 09:51:00 AM »

Good tip, I should have been more specific since I had already applied 2 coats of clear dope after applying PS; so maybe another for the good of the order. Richard

Richard Logston · « **Reply #44 on:** March 03, 2017, 01:15:05 PM »

It's a dreary rainy day today so thought I would post progress to date. Today I connected the lead out cable to the home made bellcrank. At present I have 3 coats clear dope on the airframe, will do the dope and talc as soon as weather stops raining. I don't like the idea of lead outs going through the side windows; been mulling over a better way but have not found one. I noticed there is a plan of a u/c Aeronca Champ on outerzone that shows the same side window lead out exit. Richard

Gerald Arana · « **Reply #45 on:** March 03, 2017, 01:37:44 PM »

Quote from: Roy DeCamara on February 24, 2017, 10:30:20 PM

Hey Bub!! I do remember seeing one in the garage. Wasn't it painted yellow and sort of a metallic grey color??? If it had the twin stack Torpedo, that is the motor I have in my green Warrior. Man, that was a long time ago!! Roy

Hey Bub!

That's right. It was left over metallic Grey-bluegreen that Dad painted his '37 Chevy sedan with.

I'm glad you remembered that one!

Cheers, Jerry

Richard Logston · « **Reply #46 on:** March 18, 2017, 04:23:17 PM »

Just in case anyone is wondering about my progress; at the present time I am in the process of painting. As far as the windows go I inset 1/16th wide balsa in the window area recessed enough for the plastic window material to set flush with fuselage side, I used cut out 1/16 ply cut in a horse shoe shape to inset in the rear window. We have had allot of rain lately so progress is slow. I brushed on the first coat of thinned yellow that is very transparent, in retrospect I should have used white for the first coat. May have to yet we'll see how it goes. I plan on praying final coat. Still learning every day. Richard

Mark_Gerber · « **Reply #47 on:** March 18, 2017, 08:01:28 PM »

Thanks for the update Richard. I've been wondering how your Cub is progressing. I took my Monogram Piper Cub Special kit along to VSC to show to Mike Keville and others.

The biggest problem I had making my Monogram Aeronca windows was the windshield. I couldn't couldn't cut and bend a flat sheet of acetate to fit properly. So, I ended up carving a mold and forming it. Worked great. I attached the windshield with Pacer canopy glue and it has help up well all around.

Looking forward to pictures of your finished Cub!

Mark Gerber

Mike Keville · « **Reply #48 on:** March 18, 2017, 08:36:45 PM »

. . . Looking forward to pictures of your finished Cub!
====================================
. . . and am hoping you'll do it in the authentic PA-11 yellow/blue colors.

Mark_Gerber · « **Reply #49 on:** March 18, 2017, 09:07:33 PM »

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