Super Cub Inboard Video

Mounting CVS videocam inside the body

After completing the hack on the CVS videocam, I wanted to mount the camera somewhere inside the Super Cub. I have mounted the 5-1 mini DVR inside the aft compartment and wanted to do the same for the CVS. However, what I did not want to do is mount it looking down – this time I wanted to shoot videos through the side.

The CVS videocam weighs all of 2 ounces with a AAA battery pack – no sweat for the Cub:

Pic

After some trial fittings, I decided to cut a hole in the side of the Super Cub for the lens – pic below:

aacvs2.jpg

I then mounted the CVS inside, clearing the control rods – the battery pack is held in place with velcro. The CVS is held in place by the fit between the top of the compartment and the bottom mounting plate:

aacvs3.jpg

The CVS records without any vignetting by the sides – the link below to YouTube shows the final product (I edited this to cut out a lot of sky shots – it was bouncing around some from upper winds):

Super Cub Inboard Video

It was not a great day, but the CVS videocam is clearly superior to the 5-1 Mini DVS. The CVS videocam cost about $30 – at this price, it's hard to beat, considering that after hacking it, you can adjust the quality of the video to suit your needs (and it's easy to find).

What I DID NOT do was edit the video to enhance quality using VirtualDub – I wanted to show the quality "as is". This was shot at the normal CVS setting is 384 x 288 with a bitrate of 127 (Low); I did edit out some "sky shots", however. I also left the audio track in, but normally I would delete it and dub in a song – better than listening to a buzzing motor.

To improve the quality (although it may not show up on YouTube), I would sharpen it up and maybe brighten it a bit.

CONCLUSIONS

The Super Cub as a camera platform is an easy mod and a fun project. This plane continues to amaze me as a very easy to fly plane with LOTS of potential for fun mods. The CVS videocam hack is a worthwhile project, assuming you are OK with mods of this sort.

NOTE: This is a new site and consider it a "work in progress". I would greatly encourage readers to send in articles for posting on AmpAviators. In contrast to a forum, finding articles of interest will be TONS easier here.

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