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 has been a versatile and enduring bush plane for nearly 70 years, serving as a staple for backcountry flyers.
  • Renowned for its exceptional short-field capabilities, it can operate from diverse and challenging terrains—including rough fields, gravel, water, and snow—especially when equipped with specialized large tires, floats, or skis.
  • Evolving from earlier designs with increased power and ruggedness, the Super Cub's utilitarian design and operational adaptability continue to inspire modern aircraft.
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Super Cub with big wheels

Super Cubs weren’t born with big tires. In fact, giant round appendages like these weren’t very popular until recent decades. The tires don’t help with cruise speed at all but they transformed the rough field capabilities from really god to otherworldly. Here the big wheels are used as impromptu floats.

Photo by Bill Brine – CC by 2.0:Flickr

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