Piper L4 Grasshopper history

[Wunper]

I am trying to trace the service history of a Piper Cub that used to be in the family, it was a 1943 L4 and I know the Piper serial number but that is it.

Do any prruners have any leads that may help me?

Seasons Greetings to all

W

[BossEyed]

Assuming it was registered in the UK, have you tried the CAA's G-INFO database? (http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?categoryid=60&pagetype=65&applicationid=1&mode=searchnoresult)

Seach for Piper Cub / L-4 and the returns come complete with constructor's serial numbers. Don't forget to tick the "View deregistered aircraft" selection.

[Wunper]

Bosseyed

Thanks for that but G-info does not have the info I am after, I should have been more specific in my query.

It's the Service history as in wartime US Army service history that I am after, what unit where they were based when and where it was disposed of etc.

The machine was imported to UK in the early 70's from the French register (also interested in that period of its life is there a french eqiv of G-info I wonder?) I have the notion that it may have been left in France after hostilities ceased.

Cheers

W

[PaperTiger]

is there a french eqiv of G-info

Not for free, but there is a zip file at: http://81.106.130.176/aeroreg/data/index.html
If you can't download it, post the Cub's serial and I'll see if I can find it.

[BossEyed]

Ah, OK, Wunper.
As it happens, I have a book called "Lightplanes at War (US Liaison aircraft in Europe, 1942-1947)" by Ken Wakefield which may help narrow things down a little. Available from Amazon, and recommended. (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0752417274/qid%3D1135357925/202-7246125-8155016) As well as USAAF aircraft, it has an Appendix on Free French Army Units operating US Liaison aircraft (no serials, though) and some notes on how many of the 1,203 L-4s for which Wakefield found records (407) known to have been declared surplus in Europe went to France; 56. He goes on to say, though:
In fact, however, the French allocation was much higher, for they included some of the 796 L-4s whose record cards show only 'diverted to unknown'. Precisely how many went to France remains a mystery, but rumour has it that many of them were bulldozed into the ground, on the instructions of a French government minister to protect the country's post war light aircraft industry.

If you can quote any info you do have either here or in PM, I'm happy to look deeper into the book to see if it can help further.

Alternatively, asking on this forum (Flypast magazine) (http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=4) as well may come up with some clues.

Later: Found this as well - Piper Cub Internet Forum (http://www.pipercubforum.com/index.htm) Maybe some useful info on there; I've not looked in depth.

[Shaggy Sheep Driver]

Ken Wakefield's earlier book 'The Fighting Grasshoppers' is worth a look. Excellent read!

SSD

[Wunper]

VMT all

will follow the leads up

Seasons Greetings

W

[JDK]

You may like to try a more N American orientated vintage av forum - WIX (http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB2/index.php)

Given that Amazon is a very dubious retailer, 'other shops are available' starting with ABE Books ABE (http://www.abe.com)