The story
Piper widened the J-3's fuselage in 1938, put the two seats side by side and closed in the rear decking to make the Cub Coupe. The first J-4s ran a 50 hp Continental and were comfortable but slower than rival side-by-siders. The J-4A brought 65 hp and a fully enclosed cowl in 1939, and the 1941 J-4E got 75 hp and fuel moved into the wing. Just as it caught up, Pearl Harbor stopped all US civil aircraft production, and 1,251 were built in all.
Nineteen J-4As and J-4Bs that were already in England were impressed into service by the Royal Air Force.
Quick answers
How do you identify a J-4 Cub Coupe?
A Cub with a wider body and two heads side by side in the cabin instead of one behind the other. The fuselage top behind the cabin is fully enclosed. Early J-4s show their cylinder heads poking out of an open cowl; the J-4A and later wear a fully enclosed cowl. Some wear the Piper Cub bear badge on the fin, a giveaway next to a Taylorcraft B or Aeronca Chief.
What does a J-4 Cub Coupe sound like?
A smooth little Continental flat-four, a touch busier on the 75 hp J-4E.
How fast is the J-4 Cub Coupe?
Top speed is 87 kts (100 mph) (J-4A).
How many passengers does the J-4 Cub Coupe carry?
Up to 1. A typical layout is Two seats side by side.
How far can the J-4 Cub Coupe fly?
Range is about 313 nmi (J-4A).
How big is the J-4 Cub Coupe?
It is 22 ft 6 in long and 36 ft 2 in across the wings.
When did the J-4 Cub Coupe first fly?
Its first flight was in May 1938.
How many J-4 Cub Coupes have been built?
1,251 built.
How rare is a J-4 Cub Coupe in Bogey?
COMMON. Everyday traffic. You will catch plenty of these, and every first catch still counts. Your first J-4 Cub Coupe catch is worth 25 points.
