Piper L-4 Grasshopper

Mystery Spotter 🇺🇸

24 Apr 2026 · © Unknown

A rare Piper L-4 Grasshopper in WWII USAAF colors, resting on snow with ski landing gear — a classic liaison bird from the 1940s.

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Aircraft

L-4 Grasshopper L-4

US Army Air Forces World War II

480785

Registration

Manufacturer

Piper

Achievements

Retro Wings, Rare Bird, Vintage Voyager, Military Maverick

4 badges earned

Location

Cuyahoga County Airport

CGF/KCGF

41.5651, -81.4864

Open map

Cuyahoga County Airport CGF

Airport

Insights

Aviation History

The Piper L-4 Grasshopper was a crucial liaison and observation aircraft during WWII. It is a military variant of the famous Piper J-3 Cub.

Fleet Rarity

Now considered vintage and rare, with fewer than 200 airworthy examples worldwide.

Record Flights

Used extensively for artillery spotting, reconnaissance, and medevac during WWII.

Safety & Events

Some L-4s became famous for their roles in D-Day and other campaigns. They were known for extreme short takeoffs and landings.

Future Outlook

Most surviving examples are preserved by museums or flown by vintage aircraft enthusiasts.

Specifications

Continental O-170 (C-65), 65 hp

Engine

10.7 meters

Wingspan

6.8 meters

Length

354 kilometers

Range

136 kilometers per hour

Speed

2 persons

Capacity

549 kilograms

MTOW

2 meters

Height

Not applicable (propeller, 65 hp/48 kW)

Thrust

Historic type, not rated by ICAO

Noise