For a long time now, I've wanted to build a cub. More recently I've looking for a bird that I can use to complete my model flying certifications. I need a high wing trainer type plane that will be big enough to handle a little wind but not too big to make it difficult to transport. Soooo, I've settled on a 1500mm wingspan Piper Cub. I've always loved cubs and thanks to some of the great folks here on flitetest I've learned loads of design and construction techniques which I plan to use to the full to design and build this lovely old airplane.
The primary design will be foamboard, but I will introduce some fiberglassing and some 3d printing into this build too. I'll be trying to make this one as much to scale as possible but I don't plan to go overboard. I've made a decent start on the fuse and have enough done to get a thread going. I've been documenting and writing up plans as I go and of course they'll be here at the end. I also want to share my way of taking a conceptual idea for a model and turning it into plans and a reality. Hopefully that might encourage others that designing and building from scratch doesn't have to be a pipe dream.
To start the design I found some balsa plans on the web and traced out the major dimensions and parts in illustrator.
Like so;
Next up is to take these plans into a 2D CAD package and turn them into something I can cut on my CNC machine (replete with the now famous Needle Cutter) and also use dxf format so that they can be turned out as pdfs at a later time.
My own favourite 2D CAD program is CAMBAM. Sure there are more functional programs out there but this one hasn't let me down so far.
Here's a screenie of a foamboard sheet laid out in CAMBAM ready for cutting;
Some of the parts so far have evolved through a suck it and see approach where I'll make a part (e.g. a former) cut it in situ till it's right and then scan it on the scanner so I can repeat the above process and add it to the plans.
So that's basically how the design starts out (in my world). I'm sure there's no right or wrong way to do this. I'm just showing 'my way'
Next up I'll start the actual build and hopefully by the end of this thread we'll have a video of a flying cub and some plans to boot.
I'd really love if some flitetest fans jump in and tell me how to do it better
Cheers
Dave.
The primary design will be foamboard, but I will introduce some fiberglassing and some 3d printing into this build too. I'll be trying to make this one as much to scale as possible but I don't plan to go overboard. I've made a decent start on the fuse and have enough done to get a thread going. I've been documenting and writing up plans as I go and of course they'll be here at the end. I also want to share my way of taking a conceptual idea for a model and turning it into plans and a reality. Hopefully that might encourage others that designing and building from scratch doesn't have to be a pipe dream.
To start the design I found some balsa plans on the web and traced out the major dimensions and parts in illustrator.
Like so;
Next up is to take these plans into a 2D CAD package and turn them into something I can cut on my CNC machine (replete with the now famous Needle Cutter) and also use dxf format so that they can be turned out as pdfs at a later time.
My own favourite 2D CAD program is CAMBAM. Sure there are more functional programs out there but this one hasn't let me down so far.
Here's a screenie of a foamboard sheet laid out in CAMBAM ready for cutting;
Some of the parts so far have evolved through a suck it and see approach where I'll make a part (e.g. a former) cut it in situ till it's right and then scan it on the scanner so I can repeat the above process and add it to the plans.
So that's basically how the design starts out (in my world). I'm sure there's no right or wrong way to do this. I'm just showing 'my way'
Next up I'll start the actual build and hopefully by the end of this thread we'll have a video of a flying cub and some plans to boot.
I'd really love if some flitetest fans jump in and tell me how to do it better
Cheers
Dave.