Super Cub Gallery

The J-3 Cub is a classic. The PA-18 Super Cub is downright iconic.

Piper PA-18
The Piper PA-18 Super Cub has been around for almost 70 years, and while it's the current darling of a new set of backcountry flyers, it's been a staple of bush flying pretty much since the get got. Photo by Bill Brine - CC by 2.0: Flickr
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The Piper PA-18 Super Cub is a legendary and enduring backcountry aircraft, celebrated for its exceptional short-field performance and rugged utility in challenging environments.
  • Its versatility is significantly enhanced by various adaptations, including large "tundra" tires for rough terrain, floats for water landings, and skis for snow, enabling access to diverse and remote locations.
  • Evolving from earlier designs with increased power and features, the Super Cubs continue to be popular and have profoundly influenced a generation of modern backcountry aircraft designers.
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A Cub Crafter's Sport Cub

This last Super Cub in our gallery, you might have noticed, isn’t a Super Cub at all, but a Cub Crafter’s Sport Cub. The PA-18 is not only still with us in great numbers, but it has influenced a generation of aircraft designers to come up with their own versions of new and in many ways improved super planes. From the Aviat Husky to the Legend Cub and Cub Crafter’s X-Cub, the genius behind this classic utilitarian design lives on.

Photo by Cory W. Watts – CC by-SA 2.0/Flickr

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