Piper J-3C Cub

The Piper Cub is a lightweight aircraft which has found fame the world over for its short field performance, particularly in remote areas such as Alaska. Over 20,000 examples were produced between 1938 and 1947, and it was more commonly known as the L-4 Grasshopper in US Army service. Prior to the United States entering the war, 48 Cubs were donated to the RAF Benevolent Fund and were raffled off as the Flintfire to raise funds for the war effort. 

Known as the NE-1 or NE-2 in US Navy service, the Cub was used primarily for pilot training. The French Wing of the Commemorative Air Force operates a single J-3 Cub which was repainted in 2023 as ‘Little Blue Cloud’, an NE-1 from Airship Squadron 32 (ZP-32). ZP-32 operated airships from California on coastal patrol duties escorting ships and hunting submarines.  

The Commemorative Air Force will be providing Little Blue Cloud for static display at this year’s Air Tattoo.