Piper J-5 Cub Cruiser

Multipurpose light civil aircraft as of 1940

Overview

Piper United States ICAO: J5 1940–1946 Active $1,800 (1940)

The Piper J-5 Cub Cruiser was built by Piper Aircraft as a larger and more powerful derivative of the Piper J-3 Cub. Unlike its predecessor, the J-5 had a wider fuselage and could accommodate one pilot in the front and two seats for the passengers at the back. The aircraft was produced from 1940 to 1946.

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Specifications

Units
Engine
1 × Lycoming GO-145-C2
Engine type
Piston
Power
75 hp · 56 kW
Avionics
—
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
2
Crew
—
Cabin width
—
Cabin height
—
Cabin length
—
Exterior length
22 ft 6 in  ·  6.86 m
Tail height
5 ft 7 in  ·  1.70 m
Fuselage diameter
2 ft 7 in  ·  0.80 m
Wing span
35 ft 6 in  ·  10.82 m
Baggage volume
—
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
1,450 lb  ·  650 kg
Max landing weight
1,450 lb  ·  650 kg
Max payload
400 lb  ·  150 kg
Fuel capacity
20 gal · 100 L · 0 kg (AvGas)
Max cruise speed
83 kt  ·  96 mph  ·  154 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
36 kt  ·  41 mph  ·  67 km/h
Range
370 nm  ·  430 mi  ·  690 km
Fuel burn
—
Ceiling
10,200 ft  ·  3,100 m
Rate of climb
460 ft/min  ·  2 m/s
Takeoff distance
720 ft  ·  220 m
Landing distance
470 ft  ·  140 m
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Piper J-5 Cub Cruiser ‘G-BTKA’

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Operational Context

During the early 1940s, the Piper J-5 Cub Cruiser was introduced as a derivative of the Piper J-3 Cub. Three different models designated as J-5A, J-5B, and J-5C were produced. These versions fall under two classifications that varied substantially. The most notable distinction is in the landing gear.

From 1940 to 1942, initial models with external bungees were built. From 1944 until 1946, improvements for the United States Navy HE-1 Flying Ambulance were developed including internal bungees.

The initial J-5 was fitted with a Continental A-75-8 engine rated at 75 horsepower. The J-5A was powered by a Continental A-75-9 and the J-5A-80 was a modified version fitted with a Continental A-80-8 engine rated at 80 horsepower.

In the course of the Second World War, Piper Aircraft converted the standard structure of the J-5A. The J-5B was a 75-horsepower version equipped with a Lycoming GO-145-C2 four-cylinder reduction-geared engine while the J-5C was a 100-horsepower version equipped with a Lycoming O-235-B engine.

The J-5CA was a prototype ambulance version designated as the HE-1 developed for the United States Navy. It was powered by a Lycoming Military O-235-2 or Civilian O-235-B four-cylinder, air-cooled, horizontally-opposed piston engine rated at 100 horsepower. It has an electrical system and a reconfigured undercarriage.

The J-5CO was a prototype observation version that was converted as the L-4X afterwards for the military L-14 variant. In 1946, the J-5D was built fitted with a 125-horsepower engine. Military designations for the J-5 were also available.

The J-5 has an external length of 6.86 meters, an external height of 2.08 meters, a tail height of 1.7 meters, and a fuselage diameter of 0.8 meters. It has a wheelbase of 5.2 meters and  a wingspan of 10.82 meters. The aircraft has a cruising speed of 75 knots and a maximum speed of 83 knots. It has a travel range of 370 nautical miles and can fly up to 10,200 feet.