The Piper Cub - First Generation Aircraft From Piper Aircraft Incorporated

Throughout the history of Piper Aircraft Inc., just aboutThis small light aircraft was originally intended for flight
144,000 aircraft have been manufactured. Of thattraining. However, everybody including Piper himself
number, just about 35,000 were manufactured underwas surprised at the fact that it became one of the
the Piper Cub line, albeit in various models. The verymost popular light aircraft in history. With the standard
first was simply known as the Piper J2 Cub, whichyellow paint as its signature, just under 20,000 of the
was built between 1937 and 1947. This plane went onJ3 Cub were built. The Piper Cub airplane also etched
to be one of the best sellers of all time in the singleits place in history because it participated in World War
engine light aircraft industry.II on behalf of the Civilian Pilot Training Program in the
The Piper Cub aircraft had its first flight in 1938. Prior toUSA. It became even more popular when First Lady
that, it was known as the Taylor E2 Cub,Eleanor Roosevelt took flight in the J3 Cub for publicity
manufactured by Taylor Aircraft in 1930. Thephotos during the war.
manufacture of the Taylor E2 Cub was sponsored byIn terms of specifications, the Piper Cub is 22' 5" long
William T. Piper to be an affordable aircraft that helpedand 6' 8" high. Its maximum speed is 76 knots while its
spark interest in aviation. Unfortunately, Taylor Aircraftmaximum cruise speed is 65 knots. The maximum
went bankrupt in 1930, thereafter being bought out byweight of this aircraft is 1220 pounds, and it can reach
Piper. At that point, Piper changed the name to thea service ceiling of 11,500 feet. Being a one pilot, one
Piper J2 Cub after it received some minor alterations.passenger aircraft allowed it to be suitable for flight
Prior to a fire in 1938 that burned down the Pipertraining and other light aircraft needs. And although this
factory, about 1200 of this aircraft were made. Whenaircraft was so small and light, it was able to
the company moved to a new location, the J2 waseffectively stand out against other light aircraft that
modified and re-branded as the Piper J3 Cub.were somewhat heavier and carried more room.