Complete Unboxing, Maiden Flight, and Review - E-flite UMX J-3 Cub RC Plane

This is my E-flite UMX J-3 Cub BNF Basic RC Plane Unboxing, Maiden Flight, and Review video. I unbox the plane and go over a few things, including comparing the size of this RC Aircraft to the legendary Hobbyzone Champ Ultra Micro and the very popular Parkzone Ultra Micro P-51 Mustang. I also put it in the air for the first time and share my post maiden flight thoughts to wrap up this video.

Overall I am pretty happy with how the maiden went. It flies close to as well as my E-flite UMX Pitts and my E-flite UMX P-47, which are my two best flying 2S micros. The main difference is that like the P-47, I had to make some adjustments after the maiden to really dial it in with the CG. Look for the second flight video with speed tests coming soon!

Here are my review notes:

Pros:
- Scale looks
- Wide CG range
- Smooth gentle flight
- Plenty of power
- Flies like a bigger more powerful 4-channel Hobbyzone Champ

Cons:
- Dents and dings to the wing and bottom of fuse were bad
- Battery hatch magnet is only taped in. That came loose when testing the CG before the maiden.

I also got the E-flite UMX Carbon Cub SS Float Set that is recommended for this plane. I hope is flies as well with the floats on in the snow as John's does.

This is my second Cub. My first was the Parkzone Sport Cub S2 and is one of the best RC Planes in my hangar. For a while I thought about the Hobbyzone Sport Cub S, but I was hoping for something along the lines of this J-3 Cub, so I am glad I waited!

This is how Horizon Hobby describes it:

"The J-3 Cub is said to be the best-flying light airplane ever made. Designed in 1937 to be affordable and forgiving in the air, thousands were produced in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania and helped countless aviators realize the dream of flight. Today, lucky pilots scramble at the chance to fly a J-3 Cub so they can experience what it's like to be in perfect harmony with air and machine. The E-flite® UMX™ J-3 Cub is an ultra micro-size tribute to the gold-colored airplane and an upgrade for veteran pilots.

Lightly constructed, this model of the everlasting classic features an authentic outline and molded surface detail. Up front is a 2S brushless outrunner power system that allows you to cruise the park at what seems like a walking pace, or punch the throttle to the stops and master basic aerobatics. But the feature that will help you enjoy flying this E-flite Cub even more is AS3X technology. That's because the AS3X system built into the ultra micro 6-channel receiver has been finely tuned so you feel as if you're at the controls of giant scale J-3 UMX Cub that's been expertly trimmed right out of the box. Molded hard points in the belly make the installation of an optional float set simple. So whether your fancy is doing touch-n-goes all day, or just cruising around, this fully assembled charm-machine gives you everything that's great about the J-3 Piper Cub and more.

AS3X® Technology
The advanced AS3X® (Artificial Stabilization – 3-aXis) system built into the Spektrum™ 6-channel ultra micro receiver is what helps give the E-flite® UMX™ J 3 Cub an incredibly smooth feel in the air. It's technology that combines 3-axis sensing with exclusively tuned flight control software to help counter the effects of wind and turbulence behind the scenes. As a result, your workload to fly smoothly is significantly reduced so you can enjoy natural feeling control that's precise. It's an impressive flight experience that will have you feeling like you're at the controls of an expertly-tuned scale model that's much larger.

Brushless Power
The 180BL brushless outrunner motor installed spins a two-blade propeller to provide outstanding thrust and throttle response for slow flight and basic aerobatics on this UMX J3,.

Scale Detail
Authentic factory applied graphics complement the Lock Haven Yellow painted finish while the wing struts and exposed engine deliver an unmistakable sense of realism.

Optional floats
Turn your local pond into the neighborhood RC sea port. Just add the E-flite float set (EFLUA1190) which mounts to the hard-points already built into the fuselage."

[eval_is_evil]

oh man this is such a cute and great flier from what I hear...Flite Test were very favourable to it

[billflynn]

After seeing your collection I'm starting to like the UMX planes a little more. Small ones are so twitchy without AS3X and the E-Flite UMX J-3 Cub is real smooth.. Second plane I ever flew in (1959).
bill
P.S - Great commercial, too.

[nickward]

To remove the dents in the foam buy some laminating film and tack it down with a hobby iron. When covering it you'll find the dents come out and not only will they go away but it will become stronger from being laminated, the film is clear so it won't change the look.

[wyorocker]

Great video. I almost bought that cub from Hobby Town USA. I picked up the UMX Pitts special on sale instead. That one looks like a great flyer, sucks about the dings. My Pitts is gorgeous.

[shckltnebay]

Just did my maiden today and was flying great until it started climbing without any input, landed and found the little black connection at the tail was loose and allowing moment. I super glued the joint and will try it tomorrow.

[thecombat]

What do you think is better this or the timber???

[guitarpicker]

An awesome little plane i fly mine a lot, only when no wind or very light wind or its pointless . My rudder was out too when i unboxed mine but easy to fix just squeeze bend in wire of control arm with pliars, dont be a noob ! just centre all your control surfaces before you get to the field . was a little tail heavy with the stock 200mah flys better with 220 mah dual sky pushed forward a little sky flat turns nice, climbs easy plenty of power and lands easy taught myself to fly with this plane

[funrc]

What's 330 bable (sp) bat?
And, I biggest complaint of the HobbyZone Champ - great plane - is the fragility of the tail. Is the tail of this model any better. Thanks! : )

[wyorocker]

I may buy this I have watched your review a few times I like this plane. Are you planning on getting the UMX Waco? I have one that will be here this week on the way they have a sale at Horizon Hobby but the Waco isn't on sale. The Piper J-3 cub is on sale for 101 dollars right now. I picked up the Waco with a 280mAh lipo for 124 shipped. Keep up the great reviews.

[duramarks]

can I bind this to the Champ Controller?

[kenlupold]

just bought one and had a bad servo kinda leary on this micro servos???
returned waiting for a new plane to be delivered also my rudder was out
like yours?

[footduck]

I don't know why it costs $129.99, while the 1400mm j3 navy cub costs about %140, I even found it for $115 on a discount! It's a sweet plane but it's not worth $129 I guess.

[burundukfpv]

Hey I'm buying an rc plane soon, would you recommend a j3 cub or a Cessna 182?

[kenlupold]

Do you still have your???
i sure hope

[KennethBenjaminReed]

Sweet! And Will approves! btw, your google+ channel is stuck on repeat...

[fahimkhan-pkux]

Hay man what is this price ha man what? give me the some answer ok man.

[JasonsRC]

Hey GBLynden's RC I'm starting out my channel and I am wondering if you could give a shout out for me.Nice little plane, I have the Champ and the super cub.

[Prawngoby]

Looks out of proportions from a real cub

[kydns]

This guy is complaining that there’s a tiny paint scratch god he is so picky