Multiplex Pico Cub MINI Review

By Irvin Cooper (Updated 4/3/2003)

Specifications:
  • Wingspan: 46 inches
  • Length: 31 inches
  • Weight approx.: 19 oz
  • Controls: Elevator/Rudder/Motor
  • Power: Permax 400/6V motor.

Above from the Multiplex Website

Intro: - I bought this kit for two reasons. 

NOTES: Construction:  Easy, well made, but instructions had too many words and did not say enough.  I am an experienced modeler and to this day I am not sure I constructed the wing correctly.  But it has held up well.   Very complete kit, pretty much all the hardware including Speed 400 motor, gunther prop, neat wheels, push rods, control horns etc.

PicoCubBuild10.jpg

Kit nearly as out of the box with wing assembled

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Wing assy.  Not sure I figured out the text on taping etc.

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Here is my favorite Drive, the 010 & 3:1 gear installed

PicoCubBuild14.JPG

My Servo Mounting, differs from instructions.  I glue foam blocks to the servos and...

PicoCubBuild16.JPG

...then position and glue the assembly in the airplane, light easy and quick

Caution, the Plastic wing center panel can be confused as a battery hatch, it just happens to fit there also.

Nice decal set, really dresses it up.

PicoCubBuild15.JPG

Landing gear assembly installed

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Sort of bare bones nearly finished

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On the Tarmac

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Full Dress, a nice looking cub. The decal set really dresses it up.

NOTES: Flying:  This is the only plane I have ever flown that has zero bad habits.   Very very forgiving.  Indoors or out I can fly it at stall about a foot off the ground indefinitely with no tendency to fall off etc.  Fun to fly, looks great, especially in the air.

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First flight photos

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First flight photos

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Very Docile, indoor Flying

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Very Docile, indoor Flying

NOTES: Modifications: I added the optional struts, but built them in such a way that the worked in compression as well as tension.  That way I can do snap rolls a little inverted flight along with my loops and stalls.  My struts where made from 1/8" dowel, with bent wire to engage cut off servo arms I glued into the bottom of the wings.   At the bottom of the struts the 1/16" wire connects the two struts making them a single unit that rubber bands in with the landing gear.

PicoCubStrut1.JPG PicoCubStrut2.JPG PicoCubStrut3.JPG

NOTES: Happiness index:  Very, While this is not my favorite airplane in the fleet it comes close.  I fly it a lot, so much so I had/have trouble finding the time to sit down and finish this review.   Its ability to fly in larger indoor areas like our local parks sports dome was an extra treat, I did not expect it to slow down that well and fly that docile.

NOTES: Brushless 010   I load the system to about 6.5 amps max static.  I do not know what the amperage limit is for the 010, but its efficiency starts to drop off dramatically over 5 amps.  I prefer the 10 cell setup, gives great power  and you can run the amps slightly lower for better efficiency.

Power systems flown:

  • Astro 010 Brushless
  • Astro Variable Esc
  • MPI 3:1 Gear
  • A9.5X7 Aeronaut Carbon E Prop
  • 10-1000mah Nimh (Same physical size as 500ars) 'HE'

My 1st Choice of Power Setup.   Best all around performance and longest flights, but pricey.  The Speed 400 geared Flies as well, just some loss in duration.

  •     19oz RTF
  •     My Favorite. Great Performance long flights 12- 28 minutes, Loops easily from level, Flies good indoors or out.
  •     Come summer I am going to put floats on this setup.  Flies fine off floats
  •     NOTE: I have also flown this setup using 3 1600mah Lithium Ion batteries, Duration is up to 14 - 38 minutes, but performance is down noticeably.  I like the Nimh cells better as you can charge them quicker and work them a little harder.
  • Stock Speed 400
  • MPI 2.5:1 Gear
  • APC 9X7
  • 8-1000mah Nimh (Same physical size as 500ars)

My 2nd Choice of Power Setup

  •     19oz RTF
  •     Great Flight performance, easily loops from level, slows down nicely, good duration 8-15 Minutes
  • Speed 280
  • 3:1 Titanic Gear
  • APC Thin Electric 8X6
  • 10-350mah Nicad

My 3rd Choice of Power Setup

 

  •     17oz RTF
  •     Scale+ Performance, Loops from Dive, Good for indoors,  Really slows down,  Good Duration - 7-10 Minutes
  • Speed 400
  • Direct Drive Gunther 5X4
  • 8-500ars

Stock my least favorite, mainly due to lack of duration. 

  •     18oz RTF
  •     Good Flight performance, loops from level, slows down nicely, short flights 3-5 Minutes