okay, so all the threads on this bird seem to be dead, which is a shame because mine just arrived... as i prepare to assemble it i noticed the rudder and the elevator are not moving. Do i need to cut away some foam to make them movable? i'm very confused! the manual (which sucks) says i need a knife but there is nothing mentioned about what to cut, if anything. Anyone have any ideas?

they are stiff, appearing as if i should cut something, is this how they usually come? should i work them loose by hand? headache!!!

aviator4934,

I have a couple of these, and I normally fly the "L-4 Wannabe" (I call it that because even though it looks cool with the military colors, it's not an L-4). These are absolutely fantastic flying planes and make wonderful aileron trainers. Extremely stable, goes where you point it; easily flies around the field at 40-50% throttle. Superb short field take-off ability-throttle up and she's gone. Lasts about 10-12 minutes per 2200MaH 4S LIPO. The only thing I don't like about 'em is the fact they have to land a little fast and the landing gear is a little weak for the size of the plane. Plus, as Hondajet has said, the model tends to bounce a little on landing, seemingly no matter how hard you try to just set it down lightly, she bounces! Oh well, all models have their quirks (They really don't float during the approach that well; you have to land with throttle on--my 1400mm Zero lands slower, no joke!)

I really don't know what you're talking about in regards to the elevator and rudder? Mine were a little stiff, but if you work the control surfaces by hand for a minute, they work just fine. NO cutting should be necessary at all. (You purchased the yellow 1400mm J-3 Cub, correct?) Anyway, I have had a bit of experience with these, perhaps not as much as Hondajet or Shelterock, but I currently have two of them (Had another one which crashed hard after the esc fried). I love the model--again, a great model to learn ailerons on and just put around the field with.

Let me know if this was helpful.

Happy flying!

Hey Wingit!

thanks for replying!! Yes i have the 4s yellow version. My concern is there is really no movement in the control surfaces on the elevator or the rudder... i guess i'll just work them a little by hand but i don't want to break them. This is the first plane ive had this size so im not sure if it should be like that. I just don't see how a servo is going to get them to budge when they maybe move 1/4th of an inch in my hands... hope you reply and offer more advice!! Just got the landing gear done!

aviator4934,

Just work the control surfaces gently by hand a few times and you'll be fine--you'll only break or rip something if you are rough with it. Just be gentle...

Also, look closely at the way the mains slide into the plastic groove in the fusalage--you may want to glue the wire into the little plastic slot. On my first Starmax J-3, I found that after a few landings the wire tended to slide out a little. I just glued mine in from the start on my subsequent models and haven't had any problems since. (That speaks to how much I like this plane, I bought two more after my first one met an untimely death!

And no, I can't tell you how many flights are on mine...I don't keep track! Let's just say, ALOT! I try to fly mine whenever I can; usually this turns out to be in the evenings and I'll fly her until its practically dark! The last time I brought her in, the sky was filled with bats! I landed the model and found bug splatter along the leading edges of both wings, the prop and even a little on the mock engine cylinders! It was pretty cool---that must have been what the bats were eating! I just left the bug juice on the plane for added effect (It is an "L-4" after all) I also leave the tires dirty and dust on the plane from my little flying strip. Now that's true weathering!

Is this your first model, or have you flown before? Just curious, because despite what BH says, this is NOT a trainer; it's a great second plane, but not a first.

Anyway, feel free to ask any more questions.

Happy flying!

right, i guess i can do some taxi tests and see how they act. I have about 50 flights logged with a champ and i know this is a big leap but i think i can handle it. Upgraded to a dx7s as well... I was just expecting them to move similar to the ailerons. The rudder literally feels like one piece of foam. Also, did you screw the main wings into the carbon fiber rod? I don't have a drill and im curious if this need to be done at all. I'll def glue the mains into the slot. What battery do you run? I bought a 2650 4s and it won't fit. I'll have to get it in there some how. Thanks for helping me out here man.

aviator 4934,

The elevator and rudder will not move as easily as the ailerons (the ailerons actually have joints if you look closely), and just check them out for proper operation once you connect the servos.

As far as the wings are concerned, I just loosened the screws, inserted the wings and retightened the screws! Presto. No problems. Just be careful with the aileron control wires, plastic window-thingy, etc. when assembling the wings.

Wow! Yes, this will be a BIG stretch from the Champ. If you have any experienced RC pilots who can help you with your first few flights, I highly encourage you to seek their advice and presence during your first couple of flights. Not trying to discourage you at all, but please consider it. THIS PLANE IS NOT A TRAINER. It's a perfect plane to build your skills on, but she's a handful!

Like I said earlier, I run the stock 2200MaH through her (I have three batteries; at 10-12 minutes a piece I can fly my Grasshopper for about 30 mins each outing, which is sometimes twice a day! My planes get alot of air time!)

Keep up the questions, I want you to be successful.

i'm actually not that worried about flying her. I think as long as i stay calm and don't over control her i'll be able to have a successful maiden. I was waiting to put her together because of the control surface issue. So one last time, it literally feels like one piece of foam, just work them a bit by hand and it will be fine eh? Nothing major will happen till i get my charger anyway, the one that came with it just reads "e r 2" when i hook it up to my power supply... Any tips on getting the hub caps flush? Ore are they supposed to stick out a little bit... Did you modify the spring connectons on the gear at all so they don't pop out as easily? Should i add some glue?

It might be helpful to take some pics of the rudder and elevator and post 'em so I can take a look. It's hard to see what's going on if you can't see what's going on...

The hubcaps are a little bit of a bear (No pun intended) and I had to use needle nose pliers and gently spin them on once I hit resistence. Mine ultimately got fairly flush, but you'll have to leave a little freeplay in there for the wheels to turn smoothly. You'll also have to be careful not to overtighten though...it's kinda a gut feeling.

I just tightened/bent the springs using needlenose pliers so they wouldn't slip off. No real issues with the springs--but don't be surprised if the little plastic struts that the springs attach to break in your first few flights. I ripped mine off the Grasshopper about a month ago and it's been flying great ever since. (A rough landing or two, or a little bit of a hard bounce and those struts will break. If you check out the 1400mm Zero thread you'll see my landing practice video; trust me, I'm not that rough on landings, those spring struts are just a bad/weak design.)

Happy flying!

no digital camera

hey Justwingit.... I have rhe Starmax cub it's had plenty of flights and still going strong.... I have made several mods to the landing gear amoung other thing's.
I'll take some pics and put them here.!!

Looking forward to the pics!

(And to aviator4934's maiden)

Happy flying!

I have the green sorta L4 too. Mine is the 4 cell. Love it! I did break the rudder hinge when I tried to loosen mine, so gentle does it. Haven't had it out for a while, hope to get it to the field this weekend.

It looks really cool in the air.

My box said Starmax on it, though for some reason hbykng decided to put a blank piece of tape over the name. Who knows with them.

-Craig

Craig,

I'm away from home for a month (doing Army stuff) and currently going through withdrawals from my little flying routine of Zero in the a.m. and Grasshopper in the p.m.! The Zero helps get my day off to a good start, and the Grasshopper kinda calms the nerves at the end of the day, just like a bottle of your favorite, ice-cold brew! Of course, sometimes I fly the Grasshopper in the a.m., and the Zero in the p.m., it just depends on my mood!

Oh well, I'll just have to fly twice as much when I get home to get caught up!

Justwingit!