Photograph:
Wag Aero Cuby ZK-OLE (c/n 2817) at Omarama, New Zealand in January 2001 (NZCIVAIR)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Two-seat in tandem sport monoplane
Power Plant:
One 75 kw (100 hp) Continental O-200 four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 10.73 m (35 ft 2½ in)
- Length: 6.82 m (22 ft 4½ in)
- Height: 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)
- Wing area: 16.58 m² (178.5 sq ft)
- Max speed at sea level: 164 km/h (102 mph)
- Cruising speed: 151 km/h (94 mph)
- Max rate of climb at sea level: 149 m/min (490 ft/min)
- Stalling speed: 63 km/h (39 mph)
- Service ceiling: 3,660 m (12,000 ft)
- Range with standard fuel (45 litres/9.9 Imp gals): 354 km (220 miles)
- Empty weight: 327 kg (720 lb)
- Loaded weight: 635 kg (1,400 lb)
History:
The Wag Aero Cuby was a re-design of the well known Piper Cub by the Wag Aero Group of Lyons, Wisconsin, using modern construction methods and materials, being aimed at the homebuilt market. Design work began in the USA in 1974 and the prototype was flown for the first time on 12 March 1975. Plans were made available to home-builders, as was a kit supplying major parts.
Two versions were available, the Cuby, which basically followed the original Cub design of the 1940s, and the Cuby Acro Trainer, which differed in having shortened wings, modified lift struts, improved wing fittings and spacing, and a new leading-edge. Engines in the range 48 kw to 93 kw (65 hp to 125 hp) could be installed from the two major manufacturers, Continental and Lycoming. A number of examples have been built around the world, including Australia and New Zealand.
The first flown in this region was Cuby Sports Trainer ZK-MPH (c/n AACA/351). This aircraft was built in Dunedin, was first registered on 29 April 1982 and was fitted with a Continental O-200 engine. It had a couple of owners in Dunedin and Christchurch before being exported to the United Kingdom in 2002, becoming G-BZHU in February that year, flying with the Furness Gliding Club and The Lakes Gliding Club.
A second machine became ZK-OLE (c/n 2817), also built in Dunedin, and was first registered on 29 April 1999. Named Little Maude it has continued to be operated on the New Zealand south island.
A further Sports Trainer became VH-PPP (c/n 5556) to its owner at Goulburn, NSW on 25 October 2019. Mr P Weston of Wagga Wagga, NSW commenced construction of a Cuby, the registration VH-PRW being allotted but it is not known to have beeen completed and flown.
Construction of the wing was basically of wood, with a light alloy leading-edge with fabric covering. The fuselage and tail unit were of welded chrome molybdenum steel tube with fabric covering. Construction of one was commenced by Mr P Weston of Wagga Wagga, NSW and the registration VH-PRW was allotted but it is not known to have been completed.