SuperCub Demo/Trainer System

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RocketManRC
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SuperCub Demo/Trainer System

Unread post by RocketManRC » Wed Dec 16, 2009 8:47 am

I have been looking for something that I could have in the hanger to use as a demo system and trainer and after helping Asif and Victor this summer I was sold on the HobbyZone SuperCub. But it only comes as an RTF version which is great if you are starting from scratch but I didn't want another radio that I didn't need and also I wanted to use my Futaba transmitters in a "buddy box" configuration.

I ran across this thread on RC Groups and decided to give it a try:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthre ... ment+parts

So now I have a shiny new SuperCub trainer system and it works great. I tried it out this week with a friend who had never flown before except for a few hours practice on the simulator and she did really well. The buddy box is definitely the way to go for the first few flights. If only I'd known someone with a system like that when I first started!

This SuperCub is available for anyone who wants to try it out and I will try to have it with me anytime I am at Shannon Park.

I will follow this post with a couple more showing the parts list and assembly info for anyone interested.

Rick
Last edited by RocketManRC on Wed Dec 16, 2009 9:30 am, edited 1 time in total.
Rick MacDonald
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RocketManRC
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Re: SuperCub Demo/Trainer System

Unread post by RocketManRC » Wed Dec 16, 2009 9:21 am

Great Hobbies has all the SuperCub replacement parts in stock. Here is what is needed for the complete build:

http://www.greathobbies.com/productinfo ... id=HBZ7185

http://www.greathobbies.com/productinfo ... id=HBZ7120

http://www.greathobbies.com/productinfo ... id=HBZ7125

http://www.greathobbies.com/productinfo ... id=HBZ7107

http://www.greathobbies.com/productinfo ... id=HBZ7126

http://www.greathobbies.com/productinfo ... id=HBZ7129

http://www.greathobbies.com/productinfo ... id=HBZ7106

http://www.greathobbies.com/productinfo ... id=HBZ7134

http://www.greathobbies.com/productinfo ... id=PKZ1005

In addition you need a brushed speed controller (ESC), servos and batteries. Brand name components are too expensive for those so we go to HobbyKing in Hong Kong:

http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/stor ... oduct=6468

http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/stor ... roduct=662 [Need 2 of these]

http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/stor ... oduct=9272

Note that I haven't actually used that ESC but it gets good reviews and the price is right. Also I chose that battery because it looks like it will fit in the battery compartment without modification. On mine I just cut the front bottom out of the compartment and used the batteries I have kicking around.

HobbyKing is switching to these connectors for all the batteries so get some of those too:

http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/stor ... oduct=9572

That should be everything except the radio gear and battery charger which in this case I am assuming you already have.
Rick MacDonald
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RocketManRC
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Re: SuperCub Demo/Trainer System

Unread post by RocketManRC » Wed Dec 16, 2009 9:51 am

Assembly of the SuperCub is painless and takes about two hours. The only thing that isn't obvious is the motor and gearbox assembly. I found this helpful posting on the gigantic SuperCub thread on RCG:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthre ... st11264444

The openings for the servos are a bit bigger then they need to be so I put in some padding and secured them with hot glue. I mounted the other components with velcro.

I didn't buy the decals and instead put some black stripes under the wings for visibility.
Rick MacDonald
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retiredVTT
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Re: SuperCub Demo/Trainer System

Unread post by retiredVTT » Wed Dec 16, 2009 10:40 am

This is very interesting Rick, give us a total cost when your finished and doing your flight report....we could wind up with a small fleet of these.

Bill
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AndrewS
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Re: SuperCub Demo/Trainer System

Unread post by AndrewS » Wed Dec 16, 2009 12:17 pm

A lot of guys do the same thing for the same reasons. Great Plane, don't need the radio.

My SC is set up on my 6is for buddy box so we can show the more "advanced" ;) version as well.

The recommended cg is at 2.25" back from the leading edge... just in case more people go Rick's way

Andrew
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RocketManRC
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Re: SuperCub Demo/Trainer System

Unread post by RocketManRC » Wed Dec 16, 2009 12:20 pm

The HobbyZone parts from Great Hobbies work out to $100 CAN shipped and the ESC, servos and 2 batteries from HobbyKing add up to $35 US plus shipping. So it will be right around $150 CAN for everything. That is everything needed except transmitter, receiver and battery charger...
Rick MacDonald
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Re: SuperCub Demo/Trainer System

Unread post by RocketManRC » Wed Dec 16, 2009 1:17 pm

For someone just starting out, adding a "brand name" 6 channel 2.4 GHz computer radio would be another $200 (e.g. Spektrum DX6i that Andrew has or Futaba 6EX that I have) and you can't beat the Turnigy Accucel-6 as a charger for $34 US:

http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/stor ... oduct=7028

Note that the SuperCub does not need any features of a computer radio, I am just suggesting that for future use.

So starting from scratch for about $400 you would be good to go.
Rick MacDonald
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Re: SuperCub Demo/Trainer System

Unread post by RocketManRC » Wed Dec 16, 2009 1:24 pm

I just want to mention again that I built this system solely for trial flights and beginner instruction so anyone interested just let me know!

Rick
Last edited by RocketManRC on Wed Dec 16, 2009 10:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Rick MacDonald
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Re: SuperCub Demo/Trainer System

Unread post by RocketManRC » Wed Dec 16, 2009 1:31 pm

One last note...

For my "buddy box" setup I am using the new WTR-7 system from Futaba. This is a wireless connection between the student and instructor transmitters. So no wires to get tangled up in (ask me how I know about that!) and the student has the perception of being independent. It works really well.

Q.E.D.
Rick MacDonald
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Re: SuperCub Demo/Trainer System

Unread post by retiredVTT » Wed Dec 16, 2009 3:55 pm

Sounds great, look forward to seeing it in operation. Line forms on the right..

Bill
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