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PostPosted: Mon Dec 28, 2020 4:17 pm 
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Location: Netherlands
Hi WIX-team,

Was wondering if one has information about Piper L-21A Super Cubs having been used in the early fifties as (semi-)military trainers. The Royal Netherlands Air Force received, besides L-18C and L-21B, also 18 of the 125 hp L-21A. Among those there were twelve that are supposed to have had a civilian registration prior getting the USAF-military serial. These being :

18-574 N1003A, 51-15657(USAF), R-204(NethAF), PH-GAI, G-BKJB
18-575 N1004A, 51-15658(USAF), R-206(NethAF)
18-554 N7183K (?), 51-15668(USAF), R-202(NethAF), D-EEWO
18-555 N7184K, 51-15669(USAF), R- 2xx(NethAF)
18-558 N7187K, 51-15672(USAF), R-207(NethAF), PH-AAT, F-GEDH
18-559 N7186K, 51-15673(USAF), R-208(NethAF), PH-GAV, (PH-KAL), PH-LUD, SE-GTZ
18-560 N7189K, 51-15674(USAF), R-209(NethAF)
18-564 N7193K, 51-15678(USAF), R-210(NethAF), D-EGJN
18-565 N7194K, 51-15679(USAF), R-211(NethAF), PH-MAI
18-566 N7195K, 51-15680(USAF), R-212(NethAF), OO-VZL
18-568 N7197K, 51-15682(USAF), R-213(NethAF), (OO-OOA), OO-OAA, PH-RED
18-569 N7198K, 51-15683(USAF), R-203(NethAF), PH-KAW

The Pipers were manufactured summer 1951. They probably flew in the US for four years.

Anyone having information on this? Where were they used? Can these identities (both civilian and military) be confirmed? Any photoproof?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Regards,

Benno


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PostPosted: Mon Dec 28, 2020 9:06 pm 
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They were bought for the Military Assistance Program and a few as initial trainers for familiarization flights. (flight screening flights) The L-18 was similar to the PA-18A in that they didn't have flaps, had the lighter weight tail and a 115hp Lycoming O-290 engine. The L-21 had the 135hp engine and a beefier tail. It also had factor headset jacks, shoulder harnesses and metal instead of wood flooring. It also had flaps unlike the L-18. I have flown both and they fly the same as the Super Cubs. I don't know if they were civiliain aircraft acquired by the military after being flown as civilian aircraft. I think they were bought right off the showroom floor with the yellow color and then black numbers and markings were added. Many of the USAF models would've had the Air Training Command logo on them.


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PostPosted: Mon Dec 28, 2020 9:06 pm 
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They were bought for the Military Assistance Program and a few as initial trainers for familiarization flights. (flight screening flights) The L-18 was similar to the PA-18A in that they didn't have flaps, had the lighter weight tail and a 115hp Lycoming O-290 engine. The L-21 had the 135hp engine and a beefier tail. It also had factor headset jacks, shoulder harnesses and metal instead of wood flooring. It also had flaps unlike the L-18. I have flown both and they fly the same as the Super Cubs. I don't know if they were civiliain aircraft acquired by the military after being flown as civilian aircraft. I think they were bought right off the showroom floor with the yellow color and then black numbers and markings were added. Many of the USAF models would've had the Air Training Command logo on them.


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PostPosted: Tue Dec 29, 2020 2:47 pm 
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Italy, Belgium and Israel all had them for various reasons. I looked at a couple of Italian projects before I bought My L-5 project, long years ago.


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PostPosted: Tue Dec 29, 2020 6:23 pm 
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Joined: Mon Jan 18, 2010 9:12 am
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Well...

There were four variants of the Piper Super Cub that were "touched" by the US military.

The L-18 was the military version of the PA18-90 with a Continental C-90, 90 hp engine and no flaps.

Attachment:
gat69.jpg



The L-21A was the military version of the PA18-125 with a Lycoming O-290, 125 hp engine and NO flaps.

Attachment:
5575e.jpg
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The L-21B was the military version of the PA18-125 with a Lycoming O-290, 125 hp engine and flaps and instruments and radios to be an instrument trainer.

Attachment:
254e.jpg
254e.jpg [ 123.07 KiB | Viewed 1263 times ]


While not a part of the original poster's question, the USAF had the most experience with the PA18-105(Special) version of the PA18-105 with a Lycoming O-235, 105 hp engine and no flaps. It was used for several years as a primary trainer and carried civilian registration of N + 3digits + T (the one pictured is N292T). Because of the registrations once surplused they became known as "Tango birds".

Attachment:
IMG0028.jpg
IMG0028.jpg [ 218.79 KiB | Viewed 1263 times ]


C2j


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PostPosted: Tue Dec 29, 2020 8:55 pm 
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Location: Pittsburgher misplaced in Oshkosh
The Air Heritage Museum in Beaver Falls,PA has an L-21B restored to its original markings as serving in the Italian Armed Forces.

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