I have the great honor of owning a 1941 J-5. It is a thrill to own and to fly. Her name is "Rosie" in honor of the women that labored in the aviation industry of the day. She has a C-85 and no electrical system. She is original in almost every regard and has taught many a pilot all about the tailwheel and vintage experience...

Always wanted to move on to a J-5 maybe someday... had learned to fly in a J-3, but have never yet flown a tail-dragger.

In my era, it was $5 hr for the J-3, + $5 hr for the CFI. The "maybe someday" for the J-5 still a fond wish - the reality was a transition to a Hershey-bar PA-28-180C. Did push one up as far as 67 North.

In the early 60s. I flew a friends modified J5-A, it was made into a J-5C with the O-235 engine. Flew sightseeing rides over the Thousand Islands in upstate NY. Flew from a small dirt strip near the Thousand Islands bridge. Did it on weekends. Enjoyed the rides as much as the passengers. It was beautiful scenery.

Bought a 1941 Piper J5-A in 1952, in Wichita falls,TX while in USAF A&E school. Paid $550.00. Flew it from base to base.
From TX to KS to IL to NY. If you had to go you just landed in a field and took care of it. It's unbelievable how much fun the old vfr contact flying was. Went on to airliners and jets. But it wasn't like seeing the country from below 10,000 feet.

My
Dad had a J5 , He loaded all 5 of us in it to go to town . He was a small man , Mother was slight frame , we 3 kids were skinny as a rail . We did n't have running water , indoor plumbing , or a car that would make it to town . But we had an airplane ! Dad had his priorities right ! :>) It's been 62 years since I last flerw in a J5 , Great memories . It was a J5A NC32988
Mother carped till Dad sold the airplane and we moved to town . There we had green grass , nice home , flush toilet . Dad flew rentals and kept current up in to the late 70's . He always regreted the sale of that aircraft.

I purchased a piper J5a in 1955 from an airport in Sibley, Iowa from the operator named Wade Lowery. He deliverid it to Hawarden, Iowa (62 miles away from Sibley) for a cost of $500. It ran great and flew even better. I got it just before dark and by 12:00pm I had both wings off and was sanding it getting ready for new paint. It came to me in the original orange Piper color. I redone the inside and put new glass all the way around and had it painted Light Blue and Dark Blue. It really looked nice. I do have some pictures of my J5 with the new paint if anyone would like to see them. I then sold the plane a year later. I traded it in on a l956 Oldsmobile coupe. I was given $1,000 on trade for the J5. Okay then but would be VERY CHEAP now. After they got my J5 they had it recovered and the engine topped. Then it was sold to a rancher in South Dakota. He flew it back to his ranch around Rapit City and I was told that he hit some High Line Wires on landing. It was upset and crashed. It then I was told started a fire and burned right where it hit the ground. A tragic end to a great little plane if the story was told to me right. AS I am now 81 I do no more flying. I still miss the old JR.

I soloed the J-5A with the N number in my address. It was restored to new original condition 1970-73-currently in final stages of new restoration. Now for you who inquired about a model--I have an original Comet flying model kit==wingspan 26 9/32 inches-dated 1942---Comet reissued it in the 80s as kit #3406 "Piper Cub". I have a couple of the new kits--have to get check. I believe some of you computer specialists should be ablre to research this info--I'm 81 years old and still flying, but computer confused--anyone interested in more info contact me and I'll send pics--hope this helps, Maury

I purchased a 1941 piper j5a as a basket case,in1979.took 4 years to rebuild. first flight 1983 and had aball went to lockhavin pa 4 times,and recived several awards there.it has changed hands several times but is still in a hanger collecting dust at d51 clarence aerodome ny

I was a /part owner of an old 1941 J5. I am looking for a simple plan of same to use to make a toy model. Do you have a plan and or know of a kit I can purchase?
Thanks;
John

May we have your permission to use this photo for a brochure for our Micro Vortex Genarators? Or is this photo public domain? Congratulations for a great web site.
Charles White, President, Micro Aerodynamics, Inc.

After learning to fly in a J-3, the transition to the J-5
felt like going to a DC-3. I loved the heavier feel. The
thing I remember about the J-5 we had was the Crank
starter in the instrument panel. Ha !

Also with 75HP it didn't have much going for it on a real
hot day in August with three people aboard.

One small correction: The J-5C was powered by a Lycoming O-235-B which was identical to the military O-235-2 in the HE-1. This aircraft can be considered the direct predecessor to the post war PA-12 Super Cruiser which was quite similar but powered by the O-235-C which despite the similar designation, was an entirely different engine.

I AM LOOKING FOR A MODEL OF THIS AIRCRAFT EITHER PLASTIC,DIECAST OR WOOD...

Do you know where I could purchase a small scale model of the Piper J-5 Cruiser?