Piper PA-15 Vagabond
Piper Aircraft · United States · first flew 1948 · light aircraft
The Piper PA-15 Vagabond was a small, economical two-seat high-wing light aircraft introduced by Piper in 1948 as a low-cost alternative to the Piper Cub. It featured side-by-side seating and a simple high-wing layout.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 5.69 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Small American two-seat high-wing light aircraft, simplified economy version of the Piper design
- Side-by-side seating under a high straight wing, fixed tailwheel undercarriage
- Very small, lightweight construction with a 65 hp Continental engine
A very small high-wing monoplane with side-by-side seating visible through the cabin windows, fixed taildragger undercarriage, and a tiny 65 hp engine; smaller and lighter than most Piper Tri-Pacers and Cubs that it resembles in layout.
Specifications
- The Piper PA-15 Vagabond has a length of 5.69 m (19 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 8.92 m (29 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 161 km/h (100 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 + 1 passenger.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed to capture the postwar personal aviation market, the PA-15 Vagabond was designed with simplicity and low cost in mind. It used a 65 hp Continental engine and featured side-by-side rather than tandem seating, differentiating it from the earlier Cub designs.
Variants
The PA-17 Vagabond was a version with a slightly more powerful engine; both variants were produced in modest numbers before being succeeded by the PA-20 Pacer.
Where you'll see it
Used by private owners and flying clubs in the United States and other markets in the late 1940s and early 1950s; many examples remain airworthy in private hands today.
Related aircraft
- Piper L-21B Super Cub
- Piper PA-20 Pacer
- Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser
- Piper PA-23 Apache
- Aero Commander 500
- Beechcraft T-34 Mentor
- Beecraft Wee Bee
- Brochet MB.50 Pipistrelle
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