FMS 1700 Piper PA-18 Super Cub Wing-mount

thingiverse

The FMS 1700mm Piper PA-18 Super Cub wing-mount posts are notorious for their fragility - a fact my dad can attest to, as his broke beyond repair. The problem lies in the fact that these mounts are irretrievably bonded to the foam fuselage, rendering them virtually unreplaceable without incurring significant expenses. A new fuselage would cost at least $70USD plus shipping, making it an unappealing prospect. Fortunately, a replacement part is available for the rear-ward post/mount, which boasts a thicker and presumably more robust design than its OEM counterpart. To install this part, you will need to carefully remove the old post/plastic mounting parts from the foam fuselage using mineral spirits or acetone to dissolve the adhesive. This may require some patience, as the glue can be quite stubborn. Once the old parts are removed, you may need to shave some of the foam off the fuselage to ensure a proper fitment of this new part, as it is slightly thicker than the OEM design. Minor sanding or filing of the post corners may also be necessary to facilitate smooth installation inside the wing cavity. Rather than using a brass nutsert like the OEM design, my approach incorporates a nut-trap that allows you to drop in an off-the-shelf M3 hex nut and re-use the original M3x16mm bolt. This can be secured with a few drops of CA (superglue) or hot melt glue after a test fitment of the wing. To complete the installation, you will need to glue the new part onto the fuselage using FoamTac or a similar adhesive spray. Reference links: - FMS 1700mm Piper PA-18 Super Cub - OEM assembly video - RCGroups thread