Here are some images of Monogram's 1/32 scale Piper L-18 Super Cub.
From Wikipedia"
The Piper PA-18 Super Cub is a two-seat, single-engine monoplane. Introduced in 1949 by Piper Aircraft, it was developed from the Piper PA-11, and traces its lineage back through the J-3 to the Taylor E-2 Cub of the 1930s. In close to 40 years of production, over 9,000 were built. Super Cubs are commonly found in roles such as bush flying, banner and glider towing.
While based on the design of the earlier Cubs, the addition of an electrical system, flaps (3 notches), and a vastly more powerful engine
(150 hp), make it a very different flying experience. Although the
"standard" Super Cub was fitted with a 150 horsepower (112 kW) Lycoming
engine, it is not uncommon to see them equipped with a 160 horsepower
O-320-B2B, or even 180 horsepower (134 kW) Lycoming O-360 powerplant.
The high-lift wing and powerful engine made the Super Cub a prime candidate for conversion to either floatplane or skiplane. In addition, the PA-18A (an agricultural version) was produced for applying either dry chemical or liquid spray.
The Super Cub retained the basic "rag and tube" (fabric stretched over a steel tube frame) structure of the earlier J-3 Cub.
The first true "Super" Cubs had flaps, dual fuel tanks, and an O-235
Lycoming engine producing about 108 hp (115 hp for takeoff only).
However, a 90 hp Continental variant without flaps and an optional
second wing tank was available. Their empty weight was, on the average,
800–1000 pounds with a gross weight of 1,500 lb. These Cubs would take
off in about 400 feet (at gross weight) and land in about 300 feet
(thanks to the flaps). The Super Cub is renowned for its ability to take
off and land in very short distances. The first Super Cubs were going
to be offered with a unique four-wheel tandem main landing gear designed
for landing and takeoff from rough terrain, but eventually a simpler
and lighter two wheeled unit replaced the four wheel design.
The O-290 Lycoming powered Cubs (135 hp) followed and would take off in
about 200 feet (61 m). The landing distance remained the same at about
400 feet (120 m), or 300 feet (91 m) using flaps. With the use of the
Lycoming O-320 at 150–160 hp, the Cub's allowable gross weight increased
to 1,750 lb while retaining the capability of a mere 200 feet (61 m)
required for takeoff.
The PA-18 has developed a very dedicated following in the bush-flying
community, and many modifications have been developed for it, to the
point where it is quite rare to find an original, completely stock Super
Cub. Modifications include extended baggage compartments (reaching
farther back into the fuselage, or even two-level baggage compartments
in the top and bottom of the rear fuselage), external luggage pods, fuel
pods, lumber racks for carrying construction materials into unimproved
bush runways. Also the removal of header tanks, larger 24 or even 30
gallon wing fuel tanks, extended main landing gear for better ground
clearance of the propeller, strengthened tailwheel springs, the addition
of a small third passenger seat in the luggage area and lightweight
generators and starters. Also various different mount areas for the
battery (to move the weight forward, and reduce tail weight to shorten
takeoff distance), various different tailfin shapes to increase surface
area, lengthened flaps, various wingtip designs, vortex generators on
the leading edge of the wings, movement of the electrical panel from the
right wing root to the dashboard to reduce fire hazard during a crash,
and even the addition of a constant-speed propeller. Above all, the most
common modification is the addition of "bush wheels", large, soft, low
pressure balloon-tires designed to absorb impacts from rocks and
boulders, and to not sink into sand or other soft surfaces, ideal for
off-runway landings.
No comments:
Post a Comment