View source for Piper PA-18 Super Cub

{{short description|1940s American light aircraft}}
{{More citations needed|date=March 2010}}
{{Infobox aircraft
 |name= PA-18 Super Cub 
 |image= File:VH-BAN Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub (6773146291).jpg
 |caption= PA-18-150 over [[Cressbrook, Queensland#Watts Bridge Memorial Airfield|Watts Bridge Airfield]]
 |type= Light [[utility aircraft]]
 |national_origin= United States
 |manufacturer= [[Piper Aircraft]]
 |designer=
 |first_flight= 1949
 |introduction= 1949
 |retired=
 |status=
 |primary_user=
 |more_users=
 |produced= 1949–1983; 1988–1994
 |number_built= 10,326 <ref name="supercubproject.com"/>
 |developed_from = [[Piper PA-11 Cub Special]]
}}

The '''Piper PA-18 Super Cub''' is a two-seat, single-engine [[monoplane]].  Introduced in 1949 by [[Piper Aircraft]], it was developed from the [[Piper PA-11 Cub Special|PA-11 Cub Special]], and traces its lineage back through the [[Piper J-3 Cub|J-3 Cub]] to the [[Taylor Cub|Taylor E-2 Cub]] of the 1930s. In close to 40 years of production, over 10,000 were built.<ref name="supercubproject.com">{{Cite web|last=Cox |first=Jack |url=http://www.supercubproject.com/cubhistory.aspx |title = Piper PA-18 Super Cub History |website=Christian Sturm's Experimental Super Cub Project |access-date=September 19, 2021}}</ref> Super Cubs are commonly found in roles such as [[bush flying]], [[banner towing]] and [[glider towing]].

==Design and development==
While based on the design of the earlier [[Piper Cub|Cubs]], the addition of an electrical system, [[Flap (aircraft)|flap]]s (3 notches), and a considerably more powerful [[reciprocating engine|engine]] (150&nbsp;hp), made it a very different flying experience. Although the "standard" Super Cub was fitted with a 150-horsepower (112&nbsp;kW) Lycoming engine, it is not uncommon to see them equipped with a 160-horsepower O-320-B2B, or even 180 horsepower (134&nbsp;kW) Lycoming O-360 powerplant. The high-lift [[wing]] and powerful engine made the Super Cub a prime candidate for conversion to either [[seaplane|floatplane]] or [[Landing gear|skiplane]].  In addition, the PA-18A (an agricultural version) was produced for [[Aerial application|applying]] either dry chemical or liquid spray.

The Super Cub retained the basic "[[Tube-and-fabric construction|rag and tube]]" (fabric stretched over a steel tube frame) structure of the earlier J-3 Cub.
[[File:Piper Super Cub 1 1998-07-07.jpg|thumb|Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub [[floatplane]]]]
[[File:Piper PA-18 Super Cub on crane - Theb1936 - Flickr - NOAA Photo Library.jpg|thumb|Piper Cub used for weather monitoring and instrument maintenance in Alaska in 1950]][[File:Super Cub in Georgian Bay.jpg|thumb|Super Cub PA-18-150 on floats]]
The first true "Super" Cubs had flaps, dual fuel tanks, and an O-235 Lycoming engine producing about 108&nbsp;hp (115&nbsp;hp for takeoff only). However, a 90&nbsp;hp Continental variant without flaps and without the optional second wing tank was available. Their empty weight was, on the average, 800–1000 pounds with a gross weight of 1,500&nbsp;lb.  These Cubs would take off in about 400 feet (at gross weight) and land in about 300 feet using flaps. The Super Cub is renowned for its ability to take off and land in very short distances. The first Super Cubs were going to be offered with a unique four-wheel tandem main landing gear designed for landing and takeoff from rough terrain, but this was replaced with [[conventional landing gear]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=mdgDAAAAMBAJ&dq=Popular+Mechanics+Science+installing+linoleum&pg=PA156 "Steep Climbing Air Horse For Farmers."] ''Popular Mechanics'', September 1950, p. 156.</ref><ref>On a taildragger, the optional Whitaker tandem main landing gear was difficult to steer on a paved surface, whereas two large balloon tires provide maneuverability comparable to standard tires while still providing the flotation required on soft surfaces.</ref> The O-290 Lycoming powered Cubs (135&nbsp;hp) followed and would take off in about {{convert|200|ft|m}}. The landing distance remained the same at about {{convert|400|ft|m}}, or {{convert|300|ft|m}} using flaps.  With the use of the Lycoming O-320 at 150–160&nbsp;hp, the Cub's allowable gross weight increased to 1,750&nbsp;lb while retaining the capability of a mere {{convert|200|ft|m}} required for takeoff.

The PA-18 has developed a very dedicated following in the bush-flying community, and many modifications have been developed for it, to the point where it is quite rare to find an original, completely stock Super Cub. Modifications include extended baggage compartments (reaching farther back into the fuselage, or even two-level baggage compartments in the top and bottom of the rear fuselage), external luggage pods, fuel pods, lumber racks for carrying construction materials into unimproved bush runways. Also the removal of header tanks, larger 24 or even 30 gallon wing fuel tanks, extended main landing gear for better ground clearance of the propeller, strengthened tailwheel springs, the addition of a small third passenger seat in the luggage area and lightweight generators and starters. Also various different mount areas for the battery (to move the weight forward, and reduce tail weight to shorten takeoff distance), various vertical stabilzer shapes to increase surface area, lengthened flaps, various wingtip designs, vortex generators on the leading edge of the wings, movement of the electrical panel from the right wing root to the dashboard to reduce fire hazard during a crash, and even the addition of a constant-speed propeller.
Above all, the most common modification is the addition of "bush wheels" (themselves said to be direct descendants of [[Tundra tire#History|Alvin Musselman's 1920s-origin "airwheel" tires]] used on the original Piper J-3), large, soft, low pressure balloon-tires designed to absorb impacts from rocks and boulders, and to not sink into sand or other soft surfaces, ideal for off-runway landings.

==Variants==
;PA-18 Super Cub
:[[File:CC-KWC (PA-18 Super Cub).jpg|thumb|A parked Super Cub]]Prototype and production variant powered by a 95&nbsp;hp Continental C-90-8F piston engine, sometimes known as the PA-18-95.<ref name="ab" />
;PA-18-105 Super Cub
:Production variant fitted with a 105&nbsp;hp [[Lycoming O-235|Lycoming O-235-C1]] piston engine and larger tailplane.<ref name="ab" />
;PA-18-105 Special
:Special variant built in 1952 and 1953 for the [[Civil Air Patrol]] as a trainer with horn-balanced elevators and provision for seat parachutes.<ref name="ab" />
;PA-18-125 Super Cub
:Variant to replace the PA-18-95 with flaps and horn-balanced elevators and a 125&nbsp;hp [[Lycoming O-290|Lycoming O-290-D]] piston engine and either wood or metal controllable-pitch propeller.<ref name="ab" />
;PA-18-135 Super Cub 
:Variant with a 135&nbsp;hp [[Lycoming O-290|Lycoming O-290-D]] piston engine and fitted with two wing tanks as standard.<ref name="ab" />
[[File:9A-DBS, a Piper Cub with no military history.jpg|thumb|PA-18-150]]
;PA-18-150 Super Cub
:1954 variant with a 150&nbsp;hp [[Lycoming O-320]].<ref name="ab" />
;PA-18-180 Super Cub
:Experimental variant with a 180&nbsp;hp [[Lycoming O-360]] engine, one built in 1980 by Piper.<ref name="ab" /> Other aircraft have been re-engined under a Supplemental Type Certificate.<ref name="stc" />
;PA-18A
:Designation for production agricultural aircraft, including [[cropduster]]s and sprayer variants and incorporating a slightly different rear fuselage profile to allow fitting of a hopper-tank in the rear seat position.<ref name="ab" />
;PA-18S
:Designation for production aircraft fitted with floats.<ref name="ab" />
;PA-18AS
:Designation of a small number of agricultural aircraft fitted with floats.<ref name="ab" />
;PA-19 Super Cub
:Original designation of the military variant of the PA-18, only three built and all subsequent military production were designated as PA-18s.<ref name="ab" />
;Aeromod Loadstar Model 100
:[[Biplane]] conversion of Super Cub, powered by {{convert|135|hp|kW|abbr=on}} O-290-D engine, designed for improved capability from high-altitude airfields.<ref>Taylor 1967, p. 190.</ref>
;SAFAT 01: A Sudanese development / copy built by the SAFAT Aviation Complex at [[Khartoum]].{{citation needed|date=December 2018}}

===Military designations===
;L-18C Super Cub
:Military designation of the PA-18 Super Cub for the United States Army, powered by a 95&nbsp;hp (71&nbsp;kW) Continental C90-8F piston engine, 838 delivered, at least 156 of which were delivered to other nations under MDAP.<ref name="andrade131" />
;YL-21 Super Cub
:Two Super Cub 135s for evaluation by the United States Army.<ref name="andrade134" />
;L-21A Super Cub
:Military designation of the Super Cub 125, powered by a 125&nbsp;hp (92&nbsp;kW) Avco Lycoming 0-290-II piston engine, 150 delivered.<ref name="andrade134" />
;L-21B Super Cub
:Military designation of the Super Cub 135, powered by a 135&nbsp;hp (101&nbsp;kW) Avco Lycoming 0-290-D2 piston engine, 584 delivered many to other nations under MDAP, re-designated U-7A in 1962.<ref name="andrade134" />
;TL-21A
:A number of L-21As were converted into training aircraft.
;U-7A Super Cub
:1962 redesignation of the L-21B.<ref name="andrade134" />

==Operators==

===Military operators===
;{{ARG}}
*[[Argentine Air Force]]
*[[Argentine National Gendarmerie]]<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Rivas |first=Santiago |title=Cracking the Drug cartels |magazine=[[Air International]] |date=April 2021 |volume=100 |issue=4 |pages=46–49 |issn=0306-5634}}</ref>
;{{AUT}}
*[[Austrian Air Force]]
;{{BEL}}
*[[Belgian Army]]
;{{GER}}
*[[German Air Force|Federal German Luftwaffe]]
;{{GRE}}
* [[Greek Army]]<ref name="fiwaf74p174-5">Wheeler 1974, pp. 174–175.</ref>
;{{IRN}}
*[[Imperial Iranian Air Force]]
;{{ITA}}
*[[Italian Army]]<ref name="andrade134" /><ref>{{in lang|it}} [http://www.anae.it/docs/03-storia.html ANAE; La nostra storia] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205033318/http://www.anae.it/docs/03-storia.html |date=2014-12-05 }}</ref>
;{{ISR}}
*[[Israeli Air Force]]<ref name="fiwaf74p177">Wheeler 1974, p. 177.</ref>

;{{JPN}}
[[File:Japan 300316 Tokorozawa Piper L-21 01.jpg|thumb|Japan Ground Self-Defense Force L-21B]]
*[[Japan Ground Self-Defense Force]]<ref name="andrade134" />
;{{flag|Katanga}}
*''Force Aérienne Katangaise''<ref name=Katanga>{{cite web|url=http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_182.shtml |title=Congo, Part 1; 1960–1963 |publisher=ACIG |year=2003 |access-date=2013-08-09}}</ref> 
;{{flag|Netherlands}}
*[[Netherlands Air Force]]<ref name="fiwaf74p180">Wheeler 1974, p. 180.</ref>
;{{flag|Nicaragua}}
*[[Nicaraguan Air Force]]
;{{NOR}}
*[[Royal Norwegian Air Force]]<ref name="fiwaf74p181">Wheeler 1974, p. 181.</ref>
;{{POR}}
*[[Portuguese Army]]
*[[Portuguese Air Force]]
;{{SWE}}
*[[Swedish Army]]<ref name="fiwaf74p186">Wheeler 1974, p. 186.</ref>
;{{SUI}}
*[[Swiss Air Force]]
**4 PA-18-150 served with the Swiss Airforce, as V-653 to V-656, from 1964 to 1975. V654 became HB-PAV, V655 HB-PAW, V656 HB-PAX.
;{{TUR}}
[[File:Heather Bartlett USFWS.jpg|thumb|USFWS Super Cub, used for law enforcement in Alaska. 1970 Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub C/N 18-8898]]
*[[Turkish Army]]<ref name="andrade131" />
;{{flag|Uganda}}
;{{flag|Uruguay}}
* [[Uruguayan Navy]]<ref name="aifeb92 p76">Steinemann ''Air International'' February 1992, p. 76.</ref>
;{{USA}}
* [[United States Air Force]]<ref name="andrade131" />
* [[United States Army]]<ref name="andrade131" />

===Civilian Users===

;{{USA}}
* [[Alaska State Troopers]]
* [[U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]], Alaska
* [[U.S. Border Patrol]] Southwest Border

==Specifications (PA-18-150 landplane)==
[[File:Piper PA-18 Super Cub 3-view line drawing.svg|frameless|right|3-view line drawing of the Piper PA-18 Super Cub]]

{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1976-77 <ref name="Janes 76 p347-8">Taylor 1976, pp. 347–348.</ref>
|prime units?=imp
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew=1
|capacity=1 passenger
|length m=
|length ft=22
|length in=7
|span m=
|span ft=35
|span in=2+1/2
|height m=
|height ft=6
|height in=8+1/2
|wing area sqm=
|wing area sqft=178.5
|aspect ratio=7:1
|airfoil=USA 35B MOD
|empty weight kg=
|empty weight lb=930
|gross weight kg=
|max takeoff weight lb=1750
|fuel capacity={{convert|36|USgal|impgal L|abbr=on}}
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Lycoming O-320]]
|eng1 type=air-cooled [[flat four]] engine
|eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 hp=150<!-- prop engines -->

|prop blade number=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop name=
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft -->

<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed kmh=
|max speed mph=130
|max speed kts=
|max speed sigfig=3
|max speed mach=<!-- supersonic aircraft -->
|cruise speed kmh=<!-- if max speed unknown -->
|cruise speed mph=115<!-- if max speed unknown -->
|cruise speed note=(75% power)
|stall speed mph=43
|stall speed note=(flaps down)
|never exceed speed mph=153
|range km=
|range miles=460
|range nmi=
|ceiling m=
|ceiling ft=19000
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate ftmin=960
|more performance=*'''Takeoff distance to 50 ft (15 m):''' {{convert|500|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}
*'''Landing distance from 50 ft (15 m):''' {{convert|725|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|avionics=
}}

==See also==
{{aircontent|
|related=
* [[Piper J-3 Cub]]
* [[Piper PA-11 Cub Special]]
* [[Taylor Cub]] 
|similar aircraft=
* [[Aero Boero AB-95]]
* [[American Champion Scout]]
* [[Aviat Husky]]
* [[CubCrafters CC11-160 Carbon Cub SS]] - 180hp Light Sport
* [[CubCrafters CC18-180 Top Cub]] - certified modern version
* [[Light Miniature Aircraft LM-5]] - copy of the PA-18
* [[Super 18 Model S18-180]]
|lists=
}}

==References==
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="ab">Peperell 1987, pp. 69–78</ref>
<ref name="andrade131">Andrade 1979, p. 131</ref>
<ref name="andrade134">Andrade 1979, p. 134</ref>
<ref name="stc">{{cite web| title=Supplemental Type Certificate SA92NW ''Installation of Lycoming 0-360 series engine, McCauley, Sensenich Propeller Manufacturing Co., or Sensenich Wood Propeller Co, Inc. propeller and associated hardware per Cub Crafters, Inc. Master Drawing List 101000-MDL, Revision U, dated February 27, 2004, or later FAA approved revision.''| url=http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/dc76266b4fa5aa7786256e7b00643d34/$FILE/sa92nw.pdf| date=4 June 2004| publisher=[[Federal Aviation Administration]]| access-date=2010-03-06| archive-date=2011-06-08| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608055250/http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/dc76266b4fa5aa7786256e7b00643d34/$FILE/sa92nw.pdf| url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}

==Bibliography==
* John Andrade, ''U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909'', Midland Counties Publications, 1979, {{ISBN|0-904597-22-9}}
*Peperell, Roger W. and Colin M. Smith. ''Piper Aircraft and their forerunners''. Tonbridge, Kent, England:[[Air-Britain]], 1987, {{ISBN|0-85130-149-5}}
* Steinemann, Peter. "Protector of the Plate". ''[[Air International]]'', Vol. 42, No. 2, February 1992. pp.&nbsp;73–78. {{ISSN|0306-5634}}.
* [[John W. R. Taylor|Taylor, John W. R.]] ''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1967–68''. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, 1967. 
* Taylor, John W.R. ''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1976-77''. London: Jane's Yearbooks, 1976, {{ISBN|0-354-00538-3}}.
* Wheeler, Barry C. [https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1974/1974%20-%201175.html "World Air Forces 1974"]. ''[[Flight International]]'', Vol. 106, No. 3414. August 15, 1974. pp.&nbsp;167–190.

==External links==
{{commons category|Piper PA-18 Super Cub}}
*[http://www.supercub.org/ SuperCub.Org - Super Cub Enthusiast Group with information and many photos]

{{Piper}}
{{Piper Cub}}
{{USAF liaison aircraft}}
{{US utility aircraft}}
{{Swedish military aircraft}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Piper Pa-18}}
[[Category:High-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:1940s United States civil utility aircraft]]
[[Category:Piper aircraft|Super Cub]]
[[Category:Glider tugs]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1949]]