PIPER J-4 “CUB COUPE”

1939’42

Plane & Pilot

Monday, June 01, 2009 at 12:00 AM

Verified

Edited By:

Omar Filipović

Key Takeaways:

The Piper J-4 Coupe, produced from 1939-1942, was notable as the first Piper monoplane to feature side-by-side seating and was frequently used in flight training programs.
Powered by a 75-hp Continental engine, it offered enhancements over the J-3 Cub, including hydraulic brakes, a more complete instrument panel, and increased fuel capacity.
This high-wing monoplane achieved a top speed of 100 mph and had a range of 455 miles, with nearly 200 units still actively flying today.

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The J-4 Coupe was the first Piper monoplane to have side-by-side seating. First flown in 1938 and produced from 1939 to 1942, the light high-wing monoplane with enclosed cabin was often used in flight training schools and in the Civilian War Training Program. Very similar in structure to the J-3 Cub, the J-4 was powered by a 75-hp four-cylinder Continental engine. Cub Coupe features included hydraulic brakes, a more complete instrument panel, and navigation lights. Fuel capacity and overall size of the J-4 was also increased over its predecessor, the J-3. Construction is a welded steel-tube fuselage, and wings are made from spruce spars and aluminum alloy. Almost 200 Coupes are still active.

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