1946 Piper Cub J-3 High Wing Monoplane

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Artifact Overview

The simple and inexpensive Piper Cub J-3 is often referred to as the "Model T of the air" because of its popularity. Some 20,000 of the craft were built between 1938 and 1947, costing anywhere from $1,000 to $2,500 each. These slow and stable airplanes were ideal for pilot training, and popular for sport flying as well.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Airplane

Date Made

1946

Location

On Loan - Virginia Air and Space Center (Hampton, VA)

Object ID

61.94.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Piper Aircraft Corporation.

Material

Wood (Plant Material)
Cloth

Color

Yellow (Color)
Black (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 6.292 ft
Width: 34.583 ft
Length: 21.729 ft

Inscriptions

Autograph on right of fuselage by door: WILLIAM T. PIPER Plate on engine reads. CONTINENTAL AIRCRAFT ENGINE/ CONTINENTAL MOTORS CORP./ MUSKEGON, MI., USA/ MODEL A65-8/ ENGINE NO. [illegible] . . . Wooden prop marked: CONTINENTAL MOTORS