Piper J-3 Cub

J-3 Cub
A former-military L-4H Grasshopper in 1990
General information
TypeTrainer/light aircraft
National originUnited States
ManufacturerPiper Aircraft
Designer
Number built19,888 (US built)[1]
150 (Canadian-built)[1]
253 TG-8 gliders[1]
History
Manufactured1938–1947
First flight1938
Developed fromTaylor Cub
Taylor J-2
VariantsPA-11 Cub Special
PA-15 Vagabond
PA-16 Clipper
PA-18 Super Cub

The Piper J-3 Cub is an American light aircraft that was built between 1938 and 1947 by Piper Aircraft. The aircraft has a simple, lightweight design which gives it good low-speed handling properties and short-field performance. The Cub is Piper Aircraft's most-produced model, with nearly 20,000 built in the United States. Its simplicity, affordability and popularity invokes comparisons to the Ford Model T automobile.

The aircraft is a high-wing, strut-braced monoplane with a large-area rectangular wing. It is most often powered by an air-cooled, flat-4 piston engine driving a fixed-pitch propeller. Its fuselage is a welded steel frame covered in fabric, seating two people in tandem.

The Cub was designed as a trainer. It had great popularity in this role and as a general aviation aircraft. Due to its performance, it was well suited for a variety of military uses such as reconnaissance, liaison and ground control. It was produced in large numbers during World War II as the L-4 Grasshopper. Many Cubs are still flying today. Cubs are highly prized as bush aircraft.

The aircraft's standard chrome yellow paint came to be known as "Cub Yellow" or "Lock Haven Yellow".[2]

  1. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference Peperell was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Lord, Magnus (April 2008). "The story of Cub Yellow". Retrieved September 15, 2008.