The Super Cub is one of Piper's most successful and long-lived aircraft programs, with production spanning over 30 years.
The PA-18 Super Cub evolved from Piper's original aircraft, the J-3 Cub. The tandem two-seat Super Cub was based on the four-seat PA-14 Family Cruiser. It has all metal wings and started life with a Continental C-90 in the PA-18-90 and a Lycoming O-235 engine in the PA-18-105. The Super Cub’s first flight was in 1949, with certification in November of that year and deliveries shortly afterwards.
The Super Cub later upgraded to a Lycoming O-290 powered PA-18-135 in 1952. In 1954, the Super Cub was fitted with the Lycoming O-320.
The Super Cub production ran until 1981, with 7,500 built.