PIPER J-3 CUB Kit Manual

E. Cut out 1/8" of the 1/4" sq. bottom longerons and glue on the 1/8" plywood tail wheel bracket mount. Bend the tail wheel

wire, insert through the nylon tail wheel bracket. Bend the steering arm in the top. Screw the bracket to the plywood

mount. Hook the steering arm to the rudder by epoxying a metal strap into the rudder. Do not fit the strap tightly against

the arm but allow some clearance for free movement.

Plank the fuselage sides, up to the split line at the front of the landing gear block where the nose taper begins, with 3/32"

balsa sheet. Don't plank the front fuselage until after the wing hold

down wires are installed.

Build two 1/8" spruce cabin frames on the plan in the same manner as the balsa fuselage sides were constructed. Note

that the top of the cabin is made from lamination of 1/8" square spruce. Epoxy glue is suggested for the assembly of the

spruce cabin frame. Tack a temporary cross-piece between the two sides at the front to facilitate assembly of the frames

on the fuselage. If you do not wish to install an operating cabin door on the right side, the spruce pieces that represent the

door may be cemented together rather than made as separate pieces.

Add the hardwood triangular blocks in the corners of the top rear of the cabin.

Place the completed wing in the proper position on the top of the cabin and tape in position.

Protect the front of the wing with wax paper and epoxy the 1/8" plywood cross-plate to the spruce of the cabin top, resting

flush against the wing center section.

Notch a 1/8" groove in the fuselage frame for the 1/8" diameter wing hold down

wires.

Drill two side-by-side holes in the center of the cabin plywood cross-plate on

through the plywood wing joiners. Cut out the wood between the two holes so that

it becomes a single oblong hole.

Plug the two 1/8" diameter wing hold down wires into this hole. The 1/8" wing hold

down wires may have to be rebent slightly to fit perfectly into the notches in the

side of the main frame and plug straight into the hole in the plywood cross-plate

and into the wing. When satisfied with the fit, epoxy them to the fuselage frame,

remove wing and solder the two wires together where they join at the top.

Wrapping some fine copper wire around them in front of the plywood cross-plate

will help make a good joint.