Those Legendary Piper Cubs

Book excerpt: A history of the world-famous Piper light planes from their origin as a brainchild of Clarence G. Taylor through the series of fabric-covered, high-wing, single-engine descendants that preserved the aircraft's general profile. The ultimate success of the company through many crises was due to the philosophy of William T. Piper, Sr. who believed that light planes for student instruction and airport flying services could be produced profitably at low cost. He became known as "the Henry Ford of aviation" as the company produced more light aircraft than any other manufacturer in the world. The text includes many uses of the various models, interesting modifications and experimental spin-offs. It concludes with accounts of several adventurers who flew their vintage Cubs without radios, blind flying instruments or navigational aids.