1/4 scale L-4 Plans

While looking for, and to build, an L-4 I came across Cubmans designed plans and purchased them. Upon unrolling of the plans the first thing that one will notice is very clean and crisp lines. With the plans laid out for inspection I can see there is no clutter, everything is neat and orderly. There are three sheets consisting of the fuse, the wings, the tail feathers, and the tail feathers sheet also contains other details such as the window frame covering's.

Time to compare these plans to the real thing. I pulled out the projector and some photos of a full scale to overlay for comparison. With the plans pinned to the wall I projected the image over the plans. These plans are dead on in every direction including inlaid object's such as the ailerons, wing strut attachment points, etc. etc. These are looking to be a great set of plans but let's move along to the construction.

Time to sit down and see how it all goes together. Starting with the fuse this is a typical block build up of stick's and strip's but with a minimum of lumber. And the further one dives in the more one can see the details. There is piano wire for the cabin to wing reinforcement, a sturdy ply base for the gear area, and my favorite is the recessed firewall making for easier fitting of gas engine's. Plus many more.

Moving on to the wing assembly brings more of a well thought of design. Very sturdy construction techniques with a minimum of lumber. The details are here as well, from the scale aileron hinging to the strut connection's. The wing bolts to the fuse via a push rod and clevis (clever idea) and has a nice boxed joiner as well as a rotation pin. The tail feathers are no different with shims to give proper contour, brass tube joiners for scale appearance, and having a built up layered perimeter which is a favorite method of mine.

Along with all the well thought out design Cubman even adds templates for everything to be built from. These include the window frame cover's, the interior components and seat, all the exterior access panels and plates, just to name a few.

Usually, most of us that build will find thing's we want to "do better" but that is not the case here. I simply can not see anything that could be improved upon.

So, in conclusion I have to say these are without a doubt the best set of plans I have ever seen. Every detail is there, simple but smart construction, with plenty of detailed information. If one is looking to build a scale L-4 these are the plans do go with, there simply is nothing close to them.