| J-4 Cub Coupe | |
|---|---|
| Piper J-4A Cub Coupe displayed at the Pima Air Museum, Tucson, Arizona in 2005 | |
| Role | Trainer and private owner aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Piper |
| First flight | May 1938 |
| Introduction | 1938 |
| Status | many still flying in 2009 |
| Produced | 1938-1942 |
| Number built | 1,251 |
The Piper J-4 Cub Coupe is a two place side-by-side version of the Piper J-3 that was built between 1938 and 1942 by Piper Aircraft. It was Piper's first model with side-by-side seating; combined with docile low-speed handling, this made it a good trainer.
Contents |
The fuselage of the J-4 was wider than the J-3 and the aircraft had a fully enclosed rear decking to the fuselage top.[1] The first J-4s had a Continental A50, with up exhaust, an open cowl, oil and spring landing gear, a modified tail wheel system and many other changes. The early J-4 had a comfortable cockpit but was slower than most side by side aircraft of the day.
The 1940 J-4A gained a full pressure cowling, (which fully encloses the engine), A65 engine, and aft auxiliary fuel. The J-4B was fitted with a 60 h.p. Franklin 4AC-171 engine.[2] The final version was the 1941 J-4E which sported a 75hp Continental engine and redesigned interior. The main fuel tank was moved to the wing along with a header tank. Performance was now on par with similar contemporary types, but the attack on Pearl Harbor sealed its fate.
Some J-4s had another unique feature in the tail construction: the stabilizer was made of stainless steel tubing, riveted together with gussets.
Data from Simpson, 2001, p. 430.
General characteristics
Performance
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