Piper Super Cub PA18 by Entex

1/48 scale
Kit No. 8515S
Cost: $21.00
Decals: One version
Comments: Re-box of Bandai kit first released in 1973; separately mounted cowling with detailed flat 4-cylinder Lycoming engine; fair detail in the cockpit, including seating for pilot and two passengers; pilot, mechanic, and two standing passenger figures included

History

The Piper PA-18 Super Cub is a two-seat, single-engine monoplane, and an exceptionally prolific light utility aircraft. Introduced in 1949 by Piper Aircraft, it was developed from the Piper PA-11, and traces its lineage back to the J-3 of World War II and the E-2, F-2 and J-2 Cub aircraft built by Taylor Aircraft Company (acquired by Piper Aircraft Corporation in 1937) in the 1930’s. The PA-18 was manufactured from 1949 to 1983, and again from 1988 to 1994 — between these two production runs, an estimated 15,000 aircraft were built.

The Super Cub retained the basic steel tube frame and fabric covering of the earlier J-3 Cub, but the addition of an electrical system, flaps (3 notches), and a considerably more powerful engine (150 hp), made the Super Cub a very different flying experience. And although the standard engine for this type was 150 hp, it was not uncommon to see them fitted with more powerful 160 hp or even 180 hp Lycoming engines. The high-lift wing and powerful engine made the Super Cub a prime candidate for conversion to either a floatplane or skiplane.

The seminal aircraft that ultimately led to the design of the PA-18 was the first Piper-built aircraft, the J-3 Cub appearing in 1938; over 5,000 J-3’s were built before the attack on Pearl Harbor, and a similar number were built during the war as the J-4 observation and liaison aircraft, many of them used by the U.S. Army Air Forces across multiple theatres.  After the war, production continued for the civilian market, which showed a renewed interest in light aircraft, in part due to the many veterans returning home who had flying experience during the war. With the PA-18 appearing in 1949 with 90 or 95 hp Continental engines, or 135 hp Lycoming engines (eventually upgraded to 150 hp), Piper enjoyed a steady increase in sales.

Super Cubs have seen extremely wide use in both the military and civilian markets; their duties have included air traffic control, scouting and liaison, border and forestry patrol, mountain rescue, ambulance, firefighting, geological survey and exploration and agricultural work. In the U.S. military alone, they have been operated by both the Army and Navy. Civilian operators have included the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. While not a particularly fast aircraft with a top speed of 150 mph, it has a range of 500 miles and remains a popular utility aircraft. A Super Cub set a world record for altitude in its class, reaching an altitude of 30,203 ft. in 1951.  The ruggedness and reliability of the Piper Cub family are perhaps best illustrated by a long-range journey two teenage boys took across the United States in one in 1966, recounted by one of them, Rinker Buck, in his book, Flight of Passage. Many Cubs and Super Cubs are still flying today.

The Kit

The Entex kit of the Piper Super Cub PA18 first appeared in 1974, and was a re-box of a Bandai kit released the year before; Entex were candid about the kit’s origins, as the box clearly states “Made in Japan.” The Piper Super Cub is injection molded in white plastic and consists of 50 parts, including three clear parts for the cabin. A separate sprue contains an additional 16 parts which will build up into the four figures included with the kit.  A display stand is included, along with a sign identifying the plane as a PA18-35.

Construction of the first four steps (cockpit, fuselage, main landing gear, and wings) is straightforward and trouble-free. Other than the main instrument panel, which features raised detail for the gauges, there is not much detail in the cockpit save for the cementing to the floor of two seat backs and tandem control yokes (one of which apparently allows the plane to be controlled from the rear bench seat), but this may not be accurate.

Step five can be challenging, for this is where the flat 4-cylinder engine is assembled, complete with its mount, brackets, oil pan, and exhaust manifold. Fit of these parts may be an issue, so careful attention and sanding will be required in order for the completed engine to fit comfortably inside the cowling, which has two separately mounted side panels that should fit neatly around the engine. This will likely be the biggest hurdle to completing the kit, a place where experience will help a great deal.  The kit is complete with the mounting of the support struts for the wings and horizontal stabilizer. The instructions make clear that the latter struts will have to be made from plastic sprue stretched over an open flame, and two different lengths are required.

Markings

The kit includes decals for a single aircraft bearing red flashes as depicted on the box art, serial number JA3288. Italic markings are also provided for a serial number of the modeler’s choice.

Conclusion

This is a fun little kit and a perfect project for a weekend build, provided the engine, once assembled, will fit compactly within the tight confines of the cowling. If not, it can always be built with the cowling panels open for repairs….

Reference

The Pocket Encyclopedia of World Aircraft in Color: Private Aircraft by Kenneth Munson; Copyright 1967 Blandford Press Ltd.; London.