Piper J-5 Cruiser
1940
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Piper J-5 Cruiser

A modest expansion in the capabilities of the J-3 and J-4 range was achieved with the Piper J-5 Cruiser which, although basically similar to the J-3, had a minimal increase in fuselage width to provide three-seat accommodation. First seen in early 1940 as the J-5A Cruiser with a 56kW Continental A75-8 engine, it became available subsequently as the J-5B with a similarly powered Avco Lycoming GO-145-C2 engine, then being designated J-5C with the installation of a 75kW Avco Lycoming O-235-C. Civil J-5A and J-5B aircraft were impressed for service with the US Army during World War II under the designations L-4F and L-4G respectively, and the US Navy procured 100 aircraft similar to the J-5C under the designation HE-1. These had the 75kW Avco Lycoming O-235-2, and a hinged top decking to the rear fuselage to allow the loading and unloading of a stretcher; when, in 1943, the designation letter H was allocated to identify helicopters, the HE-1s were redesignated AE-1. When production ended a total of 1,404 J-5 Cruisers had been built.


Specification 
 MODELJ-5C Cruiser
 ENGINE1 x Avco Lycoming O-235-C flat-four piston engine, 75kW
 WEIGHTS
    Take-off weight703 kg1550 lb
    Empty weight388 kg855 lb
 DIMENSIONS
    Wingspan10.82 m35 ft 6 in
    Length6.86 m22 ft 6 in
    Height2.08 m6 ft 10 in
    Wing area16.63 m2179.00 sq ft
 PERFORMANCE
    Max. speed177 km/h110 mph
    Ceiling4570 m15000 ft
    Range620 km385 miles

Comments 
Ted Harper, TCHARPE(@)aol.com, 16.08.2008

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.

Alan Abell, prairieaero(@)sbcglobal.net, 09.06.2008

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.

chris clark, chrischerijanell(@)verizon.net, 08.12.2007

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

Keith Russell, rojima3(@)webtv.net, 16.02.2007

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

Do you have any comments about this aircraft ?

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