Piper L-4 "Grasshopper" 33% scale
Paolo Severin's Grasshopper is built simply like a real plane, from the steel tube fuselage to the last nut.
The full-size Piper L-4 Grasshopper is mechanically identical to the J-3 Cub, but is distinguishable by the use of a Plexiglass greenhouse skylight and rear windows for improved visibility.
All L-4 models, as well as similar tandem-cockpit accommodation aircraft from Aeronca and Taylorcraft, were collectively nicknamed “Grasshoppers”, though the L-4 was almost universally referred to by its civilian designation of Cub.
Carrying only the pilot and no passenger, the L-4 has a top speed of 85 mph (137 km/h), a cruise speed of 75 mph (121 km/h), a service ceiling of 12,000 ft (3,658 m) and a stall speed of 38 mph (61 km/h).
The L-4 was used extensively in World War II for reconnaissance, transporting supplies, artillery spotting duties, and medical evacuation of wounded soldiers. The L-4's slow cruising speed and low-level manoeuvrability made it an ideal observation platform. For these operations the pilot generally carried both an observer/radio operator and a 25-pound communications radio, a load that often exceeded the plane's specified weight capacity.
After the war, many L-4s were sold as surplus, but a considerable number were retained in service. L-4s sold as surplus in the U.S. were re-designated as J-3s, but often retained their wartime glazing and paint.
Photo gallery Piper L-4 Photo gallery Piper L-4 under construction
Specifications:
Scale: 1:3 (33%)
Wingspan: 3.58 m (140 in)
Length: 2.26 m (89 in)
Wing area: 1.86 m² (2883 sq inches)
All up weight with Kavan FK50: 13.5 kg (29.7 lb)
Wing loading: 73 g/dm2 (24 oz/sq ft)
Engines:
OS 300 or 600 Gemini, Saito 300 boxer, Kavan FK50 boxer, etc.
For glider towing:
2-stroke boxer up to 100 cc, 4-stroke boxer like the Valach VM 120 B2-4T up to 120 cc.
Kit includes:
- Photo gallery Kit content
- Stainless steel sandblasted fuselage
- Stainless steel sandblasted tailplanes with adjusting mechanism
- Streamlined scale struts
- Functional scale undercarriage and tail wheel
- Functional door
- Fibreglass detailed cowling with oil radiator aluminium dummy
- functional tank cap, etc.
- Aluminium panel with instruments and functional compass
- CNC cut aluminium sheeting with scale screws
- CNC cut windscreen
- CNC cut aluminium frames with scale screws and rivets
- Scale wheels
- CNC cut jig for fast building of the scale ribs
- CNC cut plywood parts
- Spars and strip-wood
- Scale aileron hinges and mechanism
- Rolled full-scale colour plans
- Photo Building Manual
- Screws and laser cut stainless steel accessories.
Required for completion: covering material, glue, radio equipment and engine.
