I looked around the forum and didn't see a thread for this plane, so since I recently received mine, I thought I would write up my first ever assembly log.
The L-4 Grasshopper is essentially a Piper J3 Cub, dressed up in warbird livery. The plane was used by military forces in every theater during WW2 for artillery fire direction, pilot training, courier service, and casualty evacuation. Some were even equipped with rockets and used for anti-tank missions.
This model from Nexa is a very good representation of the plane. It's constructed of balsa and light-ply, with a nicely molded fiberglass cowl and assorted plastic detail pieces. It's covered in an olive-green adhesive backed vinyl material with invasion stripes and a checkerboard pattern on the tail. As on the full scale plane, the inside of the model can be accessed by opening the starboard-side fuselage doors.
This is my fourth Nexa (VQ) model. I have previously assembled the .20 size P-39 Airacobra, .46 size Tiger Moth, and the Canadian edition Twin Otter. I have been very happy with each of the models, all were packaged carefully and contained quality components. I used electric power systems for each of those models and plan the same for this Grasshopper.
The electric components I have chosen to use are similar to those that I have used in other models of this size, with one exception. In the past, I have used the Suppo 4120 electric motor (.46 size) with 80 amp Hobbywing ESCs and 6S batteries. For the Grasshopper, I have decided to use a Suppo 3520 electric motor (.32 size) with 60 amp Hobbywing ESC and 4S battery. I believe this power combination will provide ample thrust for the plane to perform scale flying maneuvers.
Unboxing was good, everything was well packaged. As with other models from this manufacturer, the CA style hinges are already secured on the control surfaces. You still need to CA the elevators to the horizontal stabilizer and the rudder to the vertical stabilizer, but half the job is already done for you. The ailerons are fully installed, nothing to glue on them.
I looked through the manual and learned the first step of assembly is to install the fuel motor. Because I'm going electric, I flipped a few pages into the manual and found the electric motor installation instructions…and this is where the first problem was identified. The supplied electric motor mount does not match the one in the manual, which has a very specific notch that allows the modeler to align the motor mount properly to the firewall for the purpose of drilling holes (picture attached below).
I have never encountered an issue like this with any other Nexa (VQ) model, so I'm rather bummed. I'm certain I can obtain the proper alignment with some measurements and good thinking, but it's not something I should need to do according to the manual.
That is it for day #1…need to relax. I'll tackle the motor mount tomorrow and press forward with the rest of the assembly.
The L-4 Grasshopper is essentially a Piper J3 Cub, dressed up in warbird livery. The plane was used by military forces in every theater during WW2 for artillery fire direction, pilot training, courier service, and casualty evacuation. Some were even equipped with rockets and used for anti-tank missions.
This model from Nexa is a very good representation of the plane. It's constructed of balsa and light-ply, with a nicely molded fiberglass cowl and assorted plastic detail pieces. It's covered in an olive-green adhesive backed vinyl material with invasion stripes and a checkerboard pattern on the tail. As on the full scale plane, the inside of the model can be accessed by opening the starboard-side fuselage doors.
This is my fourth Nexa (VQ) model. I have previously assembled the .20 size P-39 Airacobra, .46 size Tiger Moth, and the Canadian edition Twin Otter. I have been very happy with each of the models, all were packaged carefully and contained quality components. I used electric power systems for each of those models and plan the same for this Grasshopper.
The electric components I have chosen to use are similar to those that I have used in other models of this size, with one exception. In the past, I have used the Suppo 4120 electric motor (.46 size) with 80 amp Hobbywing ESCs and 6S batteries. For the Grasshopper, I have decided to use a Suppo 3520 electric motor (.32 size) with 60 amp Hobbywing ESC and 4S battery. I believe this power combination will provide ample thrust for the plane to perform scale flying maneuvers.
Unboxing was good, everything was well packaged. As with other models from this manufacturer, the CA style hinges are already secured on the control surfaces. You still need to CA the elevators to the horizontal stabilizer and the rudder to the vertical stabilizer, but half the job is already done for you. The ailerons are fully installed, nothing to glue on them.
I looked through the manual and learned the first step of assembly is to install the fuel motor. Because I'm going electric, I flipped a few pages into the manual and found the electric motor installation instructions…and this is where the first problem was identified. The supplied electric motor mount does not match the one in the manual, which has a very specific notch that allows the modeler to align the motor mount properly to the firewall for the purpose of drilling holes (picture attached below).
I have never encountered an issue like this with any other Nexa (VQ) model, so I'm rather bummed. I'm certain I can obtain the proper alignment with some measurements and good thinking, but it's not something I should need to do according to the manual.
That is it for day #1…need to relax. I'll tackle the motor mount tomorrow and press forward with the rest of the assembly.
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