This is an outstanding publication and I thank you for it. I can get in this directory and relive my entire 45 year career in aviation. Some great memories, too! Sent to me a fellow aviator, also retired.
Arnie Wheaton, e-mail, 04.09.2021 18:08
I soloed in a J-3 Cub at Columbus AFB, Columbus, MS in the fall of 1953, my first time in the air, but the life’s dream of a young man! The contractor at that time was Cal Aero and my instructor’s name was "George Welch. He of the 40 mission “crush” in his cap! I retired as Director of Flight Ops for a large Corp in Chicago with a tad over 20,000 hours in 1997 at the tender age of 66. Never worked a day in my life once I started making a living driving airplanes!
Arnie Wheaton, e-mail, 04.09.2021 18:00
I would love to read your no doubt amazing book. I am now 88 years old, a retired aviator who has flown to Lagos, Nigeria in a corporate G-II. Address: Arnie Wheaton 39 Commodore Plwy. Rochester, NY 14625
Many thanks!
Mark Young, e-mail, 29.07.2021 20:03
Hi Linda I hope you’re well. I realise it’s been some years but I’m trying to contact the current owner of your late husbands Piper L4 cub. I am part of a project team for Membury airfield restoring a wartime transport aircraft and we are looking for an L4 to accompany it. I remember your husbands from when my dad used to do some as-hoc work on various vehicles for your husband when I was a kid. The aircraft is currently based, coincidentally, at my local field near Wantage. I know it’s Graham Earl who owns it and I was wondering if you have a number or email for him please?
Kind regards Mark Young 07765 641541
Dario Gianani, e-mail, 12.10.2020 19:24
Siono interessato alla versione e-mail del libro "just One SIMAIR Story, grazie!!
Burrelll Marsh Allen, e-mail, 02.08.2016 00:22
I was with the 63rd infantry division during World War II in southern France in southern Germany. I had 118 combat missions adjusting fire for a 105 howitzer battalion. The military numbers side of the plane was C 13. This is really a beautiful aircraft to fly because it was so forgiving After the war, I spent many hours flying Courier service with it all over southern Germany and Into Austria.On longer range missions. I would fly a German plane, a Bucher, 181. This was also a lovely airplane to fly.
Frank Samples, e-mail, 05.08.2015 07:22
A lady instructor for Glenn Clark's flying school in Charleston, WV had a favorite J-3 (NC31416) which naturally got the nickname Pi. She taught many students in Pi in the early 1940's. Forty years later as a school teacher in Alaska she saw Pi on floats. The logs had entries from the time she'd flown it and belonged to a trapper. A short time later Pi broke its moorings and was lost at sea. A wonderful and true story.
C.D.Cox, e-mail, 07.05.2015 01:39
In 1948 I was doing aerobatics in the Arvin,Ca area after doing some spins and inverted flight the engine quit the only place I could see to make a dead stick landing was a hayfield with about six inches of water. I turned into the wind made my approach just before touch down I pulled the stick full back put the tail skid into the water to slow down then stick full forward. Some farmers helped me pull the plan out onto a dirt road. I got the engine started made the run up checked both L&R and main mags and took off.
Gordon H Terwillegar, P.E., e-mail, 22.02.2014 07:32
I soloed in a J-3 in 1956 and developed a lifelong passion to own one.
Don Smith, e-mail, 09.06.2013 16:28
I also learned (?) to fly in N2099M at the old Brunswick, GA airpark. At that time 99M was on Tricycle gear with the tail wheel still attached. It could be landed either way and with the stick back, would settle onto the tail wheel. I did my solo cross country to Hollywood, FL where the gas tank sprung a leak and had to be repaired before I could get home. Many other sailors got their start in this machine. This was a club plane owned by an individual who charged six dollars (wet) for it. I took care of the billing and got my time for four dollars. This was in 1960. Some big changes since then.
Tom Sullivan, e-mail, 12.04.2013 17:59
I just have a comment for Ed Carney...I own N98781, about 100 off of your N#. I have the same feelings that you expressed!
mr.Jordan grandson of B.Kilmer, e-mail, 07.02.2013 02:22
I am trying to aquire a j4 Cub from an elderly man in Pensilvania.despite the fact he has lost all the books on the plane. This is an a dream to rebuild then get the rest of my hours to fly my solo and have invested in my own plane rather some one else's. Any advice would be appriviated. I'm not well off yet feel capable to rebuild and feel it wise to invest in my future of flying. Owning a Piper trainer in my opinion would open doors to possibly babe a career. Tell me what I need to know. Sincerely, another dreamer of flight.
mr.Jordan grandson of B.Kilmer, e-mail, 07.02.2013 02:21
I am trying to aquire a j4 Cub from an elderly man in Pensilvania.despite the fact he has lost all the books on the plane. This is an a dream to rebuild then get the rest of my hours to fly my solo and have invested in my own plane rather some one else's. Any advice would be appriviated. I'm not well off yet feel capable to rebuild and feel it wise to invest in my future of flying. Owning a Piper trainer in my opinion would open doors to possibly babe a career. Tell me what I need to know. Sincerely, another dreamer of flight.
RS De Groodt, e-mail, 16.03.2012 21:12
I own Piper Cub N24739. 1939 J3. Has been down for rebuild to original specs for about two and one half years. Has a Continental 90 as it was used for crop spraying work for some time years ago. Logs show many changes and repairs over the years. Now has new wood spars, completely cleaned and sandblasted, refinished frame with epoxy paints, new fabric, even has the original small window in roof and original tapered headliner. hoping to be flying her again in April 2012. Is finished as a US Navy Liasion aircraft used by Norfolk Naval hospital in 1942. Yellow with insignias. May be at Oshkosh this year also Lock Haven, PA.
Larry Goodman, e-mail, 16.03.2012 13:51
The Taylor craft was made in Bradford PA. The airport was between big mountains. Piper then built some Cubs there, and then moved to Lock Haven, PA. That airport is now a university.
Ralph Alshouse, e-mail, 28.11.2011 03:24
I spent some time as a ferry pilot during WWII.I delivered a new FG-1 Corsair to the Marines at Fort Lauderdale FL. They had a J-3 Cub ambulance plane that needed to go to Memphis,TN for major overhaul. It had 4 cylinders for it's engine, but only three fired. That was my first mistake. Afer two refueling stops I got into the great state of Georgia. A strong head wind developed, and a southern frieght train passed me. Almost out of gas I landed in cow pasture, just missing a couple of cows. It had thick row of trees for wind break. The dairy farmer came out and gave me a ride to corner gas station and store, two miles away. Borrowed a five gallon can & funnel, paid for 5 gallons of car gas, with a government TR(transportation request) check book. The dairy farmer helped pour in the gas, and start the engine, and I left. Stayed that night at a TVA restricted airport. Flying west north west the next morning I run into a solid bank of fog. The only place to land was on a two lane highway. A sawmill foreman came along and helped me take off when the fog lifted. I made it to Memphis late afternoon. The fuel gauage on this J-3 was impressive--a cork bobber on a kinky wire.
Ralph Alshouse, e-mail, 28.11.2011 03:23
I spent some time as a ferry pilot during WWII.I delivered a new FG-1 Corsair to the Marines at Fort Lauderdale FL. They had a J-3 Cub ambulance plane that needed to go to Memphis,TN for major overhaul. It had 4 cylinders for it's engine, but only three fired. That was my first mistake. Afer two refueling stops I got into the great state of Georgia. A strong head wind developed, and a southern frieght train passed me. Almost out of gas I landed in cow pasture, just missing a couple of cows. It had thick row of trees for wind break. The dairy farmer came out and gave me a ride to corner gas station and store, two miles away. Borrowed a five gallon can & funnel, paid for 5 gallons of car gas, with a government TR(transportation request) check book. The dairy farmer helped pour in the gas, and start the engine, and I left. Stayed that night at a TVA restricted airport. Flying west north west the next morning I run into a solid bank of fog. The only place to land was on a two lane highway. A sawmill foreman came along and helped me take off when the fog lifted. I made it to Memphis late afternoon. The fuel gauage on this J-3 was impressive--a cork bobber on a kinky wire.
Rich Schaffer, e-mail, 17.11.2011 20:26
I soloed in the J-3 cub at Moody Aviation. Went on to be a missionary pilot for 20 years in Nigeria, West Africa accumulating a little over 10,000 hours. I have an email version of my book "Just One SIMAIR Story" that I send out free to anyone sending me their email address requesting the book.
John N Pringle, e-mail, 30.09.2011 20:06
I bought a Taylor Cub, built 1937 with a 4-cylinder Continental, 2-seater, stearable tail wheel, CF-BBZ from Toronto Island A/P Charter in 1946 with spare engine for parts, spare prop and floats, $1,300. The 39.4 hp engine was under-powered, but was a good plane. Don't see it listed.JNP
Rich Schaffer, e-mail, 02.08.2011 01:10
I soled in the J-3 Cub in Moody Bible Institute's Aviation Course and went on to be a missionary pilot under the Sudan Interior Mission in Nigeria, West Africa flying 10,1000 hours in my 20 years serving the Lord. I wrote a book about my exciting life and will send you the email version for free if you will send me your email address.
Rich Schaffer, e-mail, 02.08.2011 00:43
I soloed in a Piper J3 Cub in Moody Bible Institute's Aviation Course and went on to fly as a missionary pilot under the Sudan Interior Mission in Nigeria, West Africa flying 10,100 hours in my 20 years serving the Lord. I wrote a book of my exciting life and will send you the email version for free .. send me your email address to simairich@gmail.com
Ken Riley, e-mail, 07.07.2011 02:07
Solo'ed in a J3 Cub in 1958 in Wichita Falls, TX, after 5 1/2 hours and frankly never experienced a better flight. Great durable airplane considering the number of bounce landings she endured.
David Kunde, e-mail, 23.03.2011 02:35
In 1954 I owned Piper J-2 N17944. I was a high school student at the time. I spent many hours flying that airplane. I lost it in a windstorm in1956.
Vern Baisden, e-mail, 01.03.2011 22:22
Soloed a J3-C65 in 1948 at 16 years of age. In that era if you wanted aomething you had to earn it. Made $13.40 a week with my bicycle after school hours as a Western Union messenger. Flying lessons were $11.75 hr. Had to pay room and board to my parents. So it took a few months of half hour lessons to solo. If you old timers remember it, the airport was Rockaway airport Queens L.I, .N. Y. Also, the first solo is the most fun that can be had.
William Muttera, e-mail, 05.02.2011 22:34
While in the navy in 1953 I decided to take flying lessons. Went up to Ream Field near San Diego. Soloed in a J-3 cub in a little under four hours. Completed my private in the same J-3. 40 years and 20,ooo hours later I retired flying a Citation X. I have always felt that the J-3, Stearman, and Citation I were the real "honest" airplanes that taught my generation the basics that stayed with us all our lives.
Don P.Simons, e-mail, 30.01.2011 06:40
Love the J-3! For 13 years I flew N2218M towing signs and taking pictures. We had a C-85 up front and with Steuban- McCandless letters it did just fine - One 43-letter sign was the longest and it did fine. On windy days around the fair ground I'd stand still or back up for fun. The helium balloons provided some fun when I took aim and hit them. Those strings wrapped around the prop shaft and I could hear them pop. Lande with the sigh attached one day when the tow-hitch got jammed. When the grappling hook dug in I made a carrier landing - no damage, just fun! Our camera attachment for pictures is in the Piper Museum in Lock Haven with some shots I took of Youngstown, Ohio for a new highway system.
bill moore, e-mail, 23.01.2011 20:19
1st airplane was a J-3 85 hp N87951 bought in buffalo wy in 1969. flew it for 87 hrs. learned a lot in it. all previous time was in helicopters.
Jim Shull, e-mail, 20.11.2010 05:41
My solo was in NC42657 at Boulder Colorado in 1949. It is said that every airman either flew one or wished he had! Great airplane.
Bob Lomas, e-mail, 15.11.2010 19:55
Dear Linda, Should you be interested email me and I will send you a photograph of 43-29934 on one of the occasions I flew it, it was at that time owned by Jack Anziani who had rebuilt it.
Chuck, e-mail, 13.11.2010 05:22
I enter the Navy V-5 program in 1942, since tere was no vacancy in hre training program they had me go to a private school and get my private license, I also attended classes in flight theroy, navigation and weather as it pertained to flying.
Ed Carney, e-mail, 18.10.2010 16:56
I took my private check ride 41 years ago in a J-3 (N2099M). Since then I have flown lots of planes, from military jets to modern airliners. The Cub is still my all time favorite for pure flying enjoyment and teaching basic flying skills. I have owned a Reed Clipped, 85hp Cub (NC98889) for over 20 years and don't plan on ever selling her.
Jim Hupe, e-mail, 12.10.2010 20:46
Friends and I bought N1071N 1945 Army L-4J Piper J-3 C-64A in the 70s and flew her alot, my favorite of all my flying. She still flies and is in the WAAAM Museum in Hood River, Oregon, completely restored back to the original L-4J configuration, wish I had another here in Guatemala
Adam, e-mail, 05.10.2010 05:39
well i soloed a 1946 J3 in sept. of last year.i have to say its my favorite flying that ive done
Jerry Imbriale, e-mail, 04.10.2010 02:01
I soloed in 1960 in a 1946 J-3 Cub. Some 45 years later while browsing a list of active aircraft I was amazed to find that old Cub (now 60 years old !) still active and owned by a party in Indiana. They were kind enough to send me a photo and I have to say the years have been much kinder to the Cub then to me.
Jack Northrup, e-mail, 30.09.2010 20:56
Soloed in July 1942, flight instructor for Air Force giving Aviation Students 10 hours to evaluate as good enough to become AF Aviation Cadets. Flew 1200 hours 1943-44 in J-3's, then activated and sent thru A/C program. Stearmans, At-6's and finally B-25's. War over just as training ended for me.
Bob Kaplan, e-mail, 21.09.2010 18:38
My first time in an airplane was in 1946 at Long Beach Seaplane Base,L.I., NY. After 4:45 dual I soloed and went on to fly everything up to and including the B-727. I retired in 1990 after flying for Meteor Air Transport, Mohawk/Allegheny, USAIR with a total of 32,000 hours. It all started with the J-3 65HP on floats. I was 18 then and 82 now. My son is now with Continental soon to be United and I started him in Gliders at 15 in Salem, NH and then 10 hours in our Cessna 170B.
Herb Seubert, e-mail, 13.09.2010 04:17
I signed up for the CPT program in 1939 at the University of Buffalo. After 35 hours of instruction and solo flying I passed my private pilot's test on May 11, 1940 in a Piper Cub J3L with a Lycoming 55 and aircraft license nbr NC-25027. I then went into the Army Air Corps Flying Cadet program at Glenview, Il and Maxwell Field and continued as a pilot in the US Air Force and ANG until retiring in 1962. The Piper J-3 started my career in aviation that changed my life.
Bob Marsh, e-mail, 10.09.2010 20:54
In Apr 1958 @ the age of 21 I had my first Solo in the J-3 cub. It was at the alliance airport located on Rt 62 just East of town. My instructor was a man 6' tall and weighed about 220 lbs. I remember we were down wind leg and he reached up and turned the Mags OFF. (At that time I thought S---!!! I got it down all in one piece. He got out and I turned the mags on and he stuck his head back in the a/c and and said give me three t/o and landings. On t/o I rolled about 200' and was airborn scarred me!! I think that to this day after about 15,000 hrs those were the best landings I ever made. Bob Marsh
Jesse Shannon, e-mail, 01.09.2010 03:54
I made my solo flight after 8 hours of instruction in a J-3 while a member of a flying club in Panama, Panama. I will never forget the experience. The tail number was HP-45. What a surprise I had with my first take off without the instructor in the front seat. Off the ground quickly. I hated the heel brakes and had much trouble landing.
David Luse, e-mail, 15.08.2010 15:43
When I moved to South West washington in 1982, I found a flying club with an old J-3, No. 21667. Built in September 1938, It was originally a 40hp, but had a 65hp continental by this time. I have flown a lot of ariplanes, but none more fun. 21667 is still happily plugging away after more than 70 years.
An interesting side note: When I was going through my fathers original log book from the Civilian Pilot Training Program, I found that he soled in 1938, in J-3 #21670.
richard, e-mail, 12.05.2010 21:50
Anyone out there have an empty weight on a early wood spar J3? Local mech says mine weighs 765 empty. Weighed 642 when born.
Bob West, e-mail, 02.03.2010 22:15
My first flight in an sircraft was in a J-3 Cub. Flight lesson number one. That was over 50 years ago.... Lots of air under many wings since then.
Irvin Sternberg, e-mail, 25.02.2010 19:13
I learned to fly in a 50 horse power Piper Cub in the Civilian Pilot Training program in the summer of 1941, with a woman instructor. Later I enlisted in the Army Air Corps and flew a number of different planes including the P-38, but that first solo flight in a Piper Cub was the most thrilling flight of all.
Verne Lietz, e-mail, 03.02.2010 04:38
My first time at the controls of a plane was in 1949 at the 8,100' airstrip at Westcliffe, Colorado. As I told a flying buddy later, "My first time at the controls was the most exciting time of my life, even better than my first sexual experience." His reply..."Yeah, and it lasted a lot longer too !" Soon after soloing I was offered a Cub for $541 (the trade-in value on a PA-16) and bought it. My wages were 85 cents an hour. I had 82 hours on it before I ever got below 5,000 feet altitude and then was amazed to get off in about 250 feet instead of a 2,000 foot run. One day, flying out of Salida, Co., "we" got in an updraft and went to 15,200 feet when I got weak from lack of oxygen. That was the highest I ever got in a prop driven plane, even in the Air Force later. (T-6 and B-25)I flew it from western Colorado to Minneapolios, back to Denver, then to Waco, Texas, later back to Minneapolis. That was all pilotage and dead reackoning. The Cub met it's demise when an 87 mph wind coming over the tail pushed a wing down to the ground in Iowa. In 1950 it cost much more to rebuild than to buy another plane..a 1941 T-craft for $450.
Paul Smith, e-mail, 22.10.2009 02:23
Linda, get back to me about your late husband's airplane Paul n36973@hotmail.com
luiz pozzati, e-mail, 27.08.2009 00:20
Our Airclub has been flying a 1941 J3F since 1985,licencing dozen of pilots.Now the plane is grounded and we are needing an STC to change from the original Franklin to Continental A-65 or C-90.
Linda Janaway, e-mail, 08.07.2009 19:20
I am collecting provenance of my late husband's Piper Cub L4 H. The English registration is G-BCPH, but has exemption American markings of 72 B. I have information when it was registered in France in 1964, F-BCZA. no. 329934 but nothing prior to this. I believe the plane was built in 1943.
hpward, e-mail, 26.03.2009 06:52
As an aviation Cadet in training to be a navigator, I was given ten hours of flight training in a J-4 Cub. I've been in love with it ever since, and have built and flown at least six radio-controlled models ranging in size from 24 inches to nine feet in span.
Newt Robbins, e-mail, 01.03.2009 20:19
My first flight in a J-3 Cub, NC22995, was Feb.14,1944, when I was 16 yrs. old. This took place at the old Milton, PA airport. I soloed it 8.5 hrs. later on May 1, 1944. WHAT A THRILL!!On 12/10/48,bought a J-2 CUB, NC16993,CONT. 40HP, single mag, NO BRAKES. Paid $400! VLA pilots beat that!
ROBERT SMITHWICK, e-mail, 12.07.2008 03:14
I PURCHASED MY FIRST 'J-3 PIPER CUB' IN, OH? 1949 OR 1950. I HAD A NEW PRIVATE LICENSE. ONE DAY MY NEW BRIDE AND I WERE ON A SHORT FLIGHT. SHE WAS PREGNANT WITH OUR FIRST CHILD AND I LOOKED OVER AT HER, AND DECIDED RIGHT THERE THAT I WAS NOT GOING TO FLY ANYMORE EXCEPT AS A PASSENGER ON A COMMERCIAL FLIGHT. I DIDN'T. (Oh - it was a beautiful little daughter)
chowderhead, e-mail, 22.05.2008 21:54
You fail to show the TG-8 Training Glider which was a variation of the J3 many of which were converted back to J3's
angel, e-mail, 09.05.2008 22:42
great info and grate palne too, y truly love this plane. thanks for the wed. angel
Robert Mathews, e-mail, 02.05.2008 00:58
My firast solo was in 1946 in a J3 in Audurn Al. Have loved the cub all my life. I never danaged a Cub or Aeronice in my life. More fun than anything in Dizney Land or World.
Capt. Bob Lomas., e-mail, 02.04.2007 02:11
The Piper L-4 was powered by a Continental 65 HP engine. In those days we did not use Nazi measurements. The variable pitch prop introduced on the L-4 J was soon abandoned.
