Piper PA-11 Cub Special

The Piper PA-11 Cub Special is a later-production variant of the J-3 Cub manufactured by Piper Aircraft.

PA-11 Cub Special
Role Light aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Piper Aircraft
First flight August 1946
Introduction 1947
Status Production completed
Primary user Private owners
Produced 1947-1949
Number built 1,541[1]
Developed from Piper J-3 Cub
Variants Piper PA-18 Super Cub

Design and development
PA-11 landing

The PA-11 is a high-wing braced cabin monoplane with a tail-wheel landing gear. The enclosed cabin has two tandem seats. Early PA-11s had a Continental A65-8 engine, while the later ones had the option of a Continental C90-8.[2]

The PA-11 was based on the earlier J-3, but the a cowled engine, with the windshield sloped at a shallower angle; the engine cowling fully enclosed (as on the earlier J-5), and the fuel tank placed in the port wing root.[2] Both seats were slightly moved back, and solo flying was usually from the front seat.

The prototype and two subsequent pre-production models were built using a modified J-3 fuselage and wings. The prototype first flew in August 1946 followed by the two pre-production aircraft later in 1946.[2]

The first production aircraft was completed at Lock Haven in March 1947 and production continued at Lock Haven until September 1949. A second production line was established at Ponca City between September 1947 and January 1948.[2]

On the early PA-11s, the fuselage was painted with a metallic blue on the lower half the rest being Lock Haven Yellow. The later PA-11s were all yellow with a simple brown stripe.

The PA-11 also formed the basis for the next evolution in the Cub series, the PA-18 Super Cub, which shares many features.

Modifications
Float-equipped PA-11S at Seattle Renton in 1973

A small number of PA-11s have been modified to use a Tricycle landing gear.[3]

The PA-11 was one of the first aircraft to be used by Piper for experiments with the nose wheel (also known as tricycle gear) configuration. Although its original design is intended to be a tail-dragger, a modification was created to mount a nose wheel.

The nose wheel is attached to the two rear engine mounts by y-shaped steel tubes attached to a steel tube with a shaft that slides freely with the wheel. Cables run underneath the belly directly from fixtures on the rudder pedals to the nose wheel shaft. This gave the ability to steer by pivoting the nose wheel shaft with the rudder pedals. The shock system consisted of six circular bungee cords, sometimes four for softer landings, located on either side of the nose wheel shaft to ears on the top tube and the bottom shaft connected to the wheel.

For the aircraft to balance properly with the nose wheel, the main gear was flipped around so that the center of balance would move forward. The pilot would sit in the front seat for added stability.

A number of Cub Specials have been converted for flight operation using floats.

Variants
PA-11 Cub Special at Chelles airfield near Paris in June 1967
PA-11
Two-seat light aircraft, powered by either a 65 hp (48 kW) Continental A65-8 or a 95 hp (71 kW) Continental C90-8 piston engine.
PA-11S
Seaplane variant with twin EDO 1400 floats.
L-18B
United States Military designation of the PA-11 Cub Special, powered by a 95 hp (71 kW) Continental C90-8F piston engine, 105 built and delivered to Turkey, under the Military Assistance Program.

Operators

Military operators
 Israel
 Turkey

Specifications (PA-11 with 90 hp Continental engine)

Data from Piper Aircraft and Their Forerunners [3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 1 passenger and 470 lbs (213 kg) payload
  • Length: 22 ft 4 in (6.8 m)
  • Wingspan: 35 ft 2 in (10.7 m)
  • Height: 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
  • Empty weight: 750 lb (340 kg)
  • Gross weight: 1,220 lb (553 kg)
  • Powerplant: × 1 Continental C90-8, 90 hp (67 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 112 mph (181 km/h, 97 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 100 mph (162 km/h, 87 kn)
  • Stall speed: 40 mph (65 km/h, 35 kn)
  • Range: 350 mi (567 km, 300 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 16,000 ft (4,880 m)
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References

Notes
  1. Simpson 2005, p. 230.
  2. Peperell 1987, p. 55.
  3. Peperell 1987, p. 57.

Bibliography
  • Peperell, Roger. Piper Aircraft and Their Forerunners. Tunbridge Wells, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd, 1987. ISBN 0-85130-149-5.
  • Simpson, Rod. General Aviation Handbook. Leicester, UK: Midland Publishing, 2005. ISBN 978-1-85780-222-1.

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