Piper HE
Piper Aircraft · USA · first flew 1941 · light aircraft
The HE was a US Navy designation applied to Piper J-3 Cub or similar light aircraft used for liaison, spotting, and training purposes. Like other Cub variants in military service it was a simple, docile high-wing monoplane.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.8 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- US Navy designation for Piper Cub liaison aircraft
- Tandem two-seat high-wing monoplane
- Fabric-covered tube-and-fabric construction
Classic high-wing tandem two-seater with fabric covering, exposed bracing struts, and a small flat-four engine up front; the Cub silhouette is unmistakable.
Specifications
- The Piper HE has a length of 6.8 m (22 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.7 m (35 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 138 km/h (86 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The Piper Cub family was pressed into military service across all US branches under a variety of designations; the Navy HE designation covered aircraft used primarily for training and liaison duties. The basic Cub design dated to 1937.
Variants
The HE is closely related to the Army L-4 Grasshopper and other military Cub designations; differences between marks were minor and related to equipment or engine fits.
Where you'll see it
Used by the US Navy in small numbers for training, communications flying, and base liaison; not a combat aircraft.
Related aircraft
- Piper TG-8
- Piper NE-1
- Piper NE-2
- Piper J-3 Cub
- Aeronca L-3
- Airspeed AS.45 Cambridge
- Antonov A-7
- Arado Ar 231
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