Piper Cub Collection

1940 Piper J-3 Cub

Donation: Terry Brandt

Engine: Continental A-65, 65 HP

The Legend. The J-3 was a much-upgraded Taylor Cub. After the company’s owners parted ways in December 1937 the factory was moved to Lock Haven, PA and reorganized as the Piper Aircraft Company. When first produced, the J-3 was powered by the same Continental A-40 engine used on the E-2 and J-2 but the requirement for dual ignition engines was enacted around that time and the Cub was fitted with other engines, finally settling on the Continental 65 HP engine, an important part of the Cub legend. Today's popularity of the Cub is not simply nostalgia, it is "stick and rudder flying" in its most elementary form.

Additional Specifications:

Cruise: 65 MPH

Top Speed: 76 MPH

Empty Weight: 680 lbs

Gross Weight: 1220 lbs

Wing Span: 35'3"

Length: 22'5"

Height: 6'8"

Service Ceiling: 11,500'

Climb in 1 Minute: 450' at sea level

Approximate Number Built: 19,888

(Data pulled from Joseph Juptner's U.S. Civil Aircraft series.)

1940 Piper J-3 Cub on Floats

Donation: Terry Brandt

Engine: Continental A-65, 65 HP

Cubs could be fitted with floats for water operations, particularly for back country use. While the floats are large, they are very light. Floats generally cause considerable drag and slow the airspeed of an airplane but the Cub on floats actually flies 2 MPH faster than a Cub on wheels due to the geometry of the installation. The Cub floats generate their own lift, taking some load off the wings.

1940 Piper J-4A Cub Coupe

Donation: Jack Kahle

Engine: Continental A-85, 85 HP

Piper's first airplane with side-by-side seats, it was Piper's response to Taylorcraft's side-by-side design. It is an evolution of the J-3 Cub and was Piper’s first airplane with a fully cowled engine. Its performance lagged so Piper piled on extras that were normally extra cost options. That it was popular is beyond doubt; Joseph Juptner remarked that "it sold like penny candy near a schoolyard." It was so popular on the West Coast that it was shipped there by the boxcar load. One pilot remarked on its ease of getting in and out writing, “It doesn’t require a short course in yoga.” The onset of WWII ended production of the Cub Coupe after building some 1,250 of all versions.

Additional Specifications:

Cruise: 96 MPH

Top Speed: 100 MPH

Empty Weight: 865 lbs

Gross Weight: 1400 lbs

Wing Span: 36'2"

Length: 22'6"

Height: 6'10"

Service Ceiling: 12,000'

Climb in 1 Minute: 450' at sea level

Approximate Number Built: 90

(Data pulled from Joseph Juptner's U.S. Civil Aircraft series.)

1940 Piper J-5A Cub Cruiser

Donation: Terry Brandt

Engine: Continental A-75, 75 HP

The Piper J-5A is a modest evolution of the J-3 Cub with the pilot moved to the front seat, the fuselage widened to accommodate two (slender) passengers in the rear seat and the installation of a “real” door. Engine power was increased from 65 to 75 HP though performance changed only a little. Selling for just $1,798 it was the lowest priced 3-place airplane available. During WWII some J-5A were impressed into service as L-4F Grasshoppers and at the war’s end civilian production resumed with a designation change to PA-12 Super Cruiser. The Navy’s HE-1 is based on the J-5 airframe.

Additional Specifications:

Cruise: 85 MPH

Top Speed: 95 MPH

Empty Weight: 820 lbs

Gross Weight: 1450 lbs

Wing Span: 35'6"

Length: 22'6"

Height: 6'10"

Service Ceiling: 10,000'

Climb in 1 Minute: 450' at sea level

Approximate Number Built: 1,507

(Data pulled from Joseph Juptner's U.S. Civil Aircraft series.)

1941 Piper J-4A Cub Coupe

Donation: Terry Brandt

Engine: Continental A-65, 65 HP

Piper's first airplane with side-by-side seats, it was Piper's response to Taylorcraft's side-by-side design. It is an evolution of the J-3 Cub and was Piper’s first airplane with a fully cowled engine. Its performance lagged so Piper piled on extras that were normally extra cost options. That it was popular is beyond doubt; Joseph Juptner remarked that "it sold like penny candy near a schoolyard." It was so popular on the West Coast that it was shipped there by the boxcar load. One pilot remarked on its ease of getting in and out writing, “It doesn’t require a short course in yoga.” The onset of WWII ended production of the Cub Coupe after building some 1,250 of all versions.

Additional Specifications:

Cruise: 92 MPH

Top Speed: 100 MPH

Empty Weight: 740 lbs

Gross Weight: 1300 lbs

Wing Span: 36'2"

Length: 22'6"

Height: 6'10"

Service Ceiling: 10,500'

Climb in 1 Minute: 450' at sea level

Approximate Number Built: 90

(Data pulled from Joseph Juptner's U.S. Civil Aircraft series.)

1942 Piper L-4A Grasshopper

Donation: Terry Brandt

Engine: Continental A-65, 65 HP

The L-4 is a Piper J-3-C65 Cub airframe modified by enlarging the windows to improve observer visibility. Originally designated O-59A it was redesignated L-4A as its mission and Army nomenclature were redefined from observation to liaison in 1942.

Additional Specifications:

Cruise: 65 MPH

Top Speed: 92 MPH

Empty Weight: 730 lbs

Gross Weight: 1220 lbs

Wing Span: 35'2"

Length: 22'3"

Height: 6'8"

Service Ceiling: 10,000'

Climb in 1 Minute: 450' at sea level

Approximate Number Built: 5,555

1942 Piper TG-8 Training Glider

Acquired with funds from museum donations.

Piper was the last of the three civilian “cub type” companies contracted to build their version of a training glider. Piper’s design was a favorite because so much of the glider was kept similar to their L-birds. By utilizing cost-cutting elements such as using rudder pedal springs for the spoiler return springs and other techniques, the cost of the TG-8 came in well under the other TGs at $2108 per glider. WAAAM’s TG-8 left service in late 1944 and was acquired by WAAAM as a project in 2012 through the generosity of the museum’s donors. The  restoration began under Director of Aircraft Restorations Tom Murphy and finished by his successor Jakonah “Jay” Matson Bell and our crew of volunteers. WAAAM took it to EAA's Airventure in Oshkosh, WI in 2018 where it flew in the Warbird Review during the Friday and Saturday airshows.

1943 Piper HE-1

Donation: Terry Brandt

Engine: Lycoming O-235, 112 HP

In 1942 the Navy ordered 100 HE-1 airplanes for air ambulance service. These were based on Piper’s J5-C Cruiser, a descendant of the J3 Cub. In 1943 the HE designation was changed to AE when the Army reassigned H to helicopters. The opening turtledeck (for the Stokes stretcher) and bright yellow color are distinctive and several of these airplanes have been restored for flight.

Additional Specifications:

Cruise: 100 MPH

Top Speed: 110 MPH

Empty Weight: 906 lbs

Gross Weight: 1550 lbs

Wing Span: 35'6"

Length: 22'6"

Height: 6'8"

Service Ceiling: 15,000'

Climb in 1 Minute: 600' at sea level

Approximate Number Built: 100

(Data pulled from Joseph Juptner's U.S. Civil Aircraft series.)

1945 Piper L-4J Grasshopper

Donation: Terry Brandt

Engine: Continental A-65, 65 HP

The L-4 is a Piper J-3-C65 Cub airframe modified by enlarging the windows to improve observer visibility. The L-4J (this airplane) is similar to the L-4A but with several minor adjustments. Both were used for liaison missions.

Additional Specifications:

Cruise: 75 MPH

Top Speed: 92 MPH

Empty Weight: 640 lbs

Gross Weight: 1100 lbs

Wing Span: 35'2.5"

Length: 22'3"

Height: 6'8"

Service Ceiling: 12,000'

Climb in 1 Minute: 400' at sea level

Approximate Number Built: 5,703

1948 Piper PA-14 "Family Cruiser"

Donation: GM "Sam" Grotte

Engine: Lycoming O-320, 150 HP

In essence, a widened PA-12 Super Cruiser with the addition of flaps, Piper's PA-14 Family Cruiser was the company’s response to the demand for four-seat airplanes. The accommodations were, to be charitable, “cozy.” Unfortunately, the airplane was introduced shortly before Piper’s financial straits drove it into receivership and only 238 were built. Today many of the those still flying are Alaska where they have been much-modified and are considered desirable workhorses of backcountry flying. Reflecting its backcountry role, the WAAAM PA-14 is on floats. This aircraft was refurbished in our restoration shop during Winter 2018 and went on display in March 2019.

1948 Piper PA-15 "Vagabond"

Donation: North Cascades Vintage Aircraft Museum

Engine: Lycoming O-145, 65 HP

The Vagabond was Piper’s first post-war design. Its structure was similar to the Cub and it was built on much of the same production tooling. The fuselage changed from the tandem seating of the Cub to side-by-side seating. The cost savings realized by using existing material and design probably saved Piper from bankruptcy at that time. The PA-17 model was nearly the same but added dual controls for training and bungee cord suspension vs. the single controls and solid gear of the PA-15.

1949 Piper PA-16 "Clipper"

Donation: North Cascades Vintage Aircraft Museum

Engine: Lycoming O-235, 115 HP

The Clipper was substantially a Vagabond with a second fuel tank, a larger engine and the fuselage lengthened to add two seats. The Clipper’s cost was 40% below the average for a four-seat airplane. Pan American Airways disputed the name, though, as “Clipper” denoted its luxury airliners. After one year’s production, upgrades to the Clipper begat the Pacer.

Additional Specifications:

Cruise: 117 MPH

Top Speed: 125 MPH

Empty Weight: 850 lbs

Gross Weight: 1650 lbs

Wing Span: 29'2"

Length: 20'1"

Height: 6'2"

Service Ceiling: 13,500'

Climb in 1 Minute: 600' at sea level

Approximate Number Built: 736