1941 Piper J-3 Cub
Single Engine Piston
Aircraft Details
Seller reportedAvionics & Equipment
VFRYou'll find that the "panel" mounted flip flop VHF radio and ADS-B out transponder with their supporting rechargeable power supply overcome the only objection one could have to flying J3 in modern airspace. I've done it in the past with hand-held transceivers
but they leave a lot to be desired: transmission power depletes rapidly wires all over the place radio never convenient to hold falling off your lap while you're handling stick pedals carb heat and throttlestrying to self announce at the same time. This is one very professional installation by an A P/IA who had excellent rapport with FAA FSDO. All this has been done without a single machine screw
weldcut or tap in the airframe that rolled out of the old Loch Haven factory 3 months before the Japanese attacked. Yes
the Government did commandeer it for a whilesurely it started the flying career of a pilot or two of that wonderful generation who won the Second World War.
Description
If you've flown one of these Grasshoppers before, you'll quickly recognize the value of 881's improvements. If you've yet to do this kind of flying, you're in for quite a treat: jumps off the ground, nimble at the controls, lovely visibility, fresh air, and the pride that you're flying a Cub. I'm sure Bill Piper had no idea how long lasting his little bird would be.
Engine
Excellent performance with the Continental 90 horsepower engine. No electric starter, but Armstrong starter is as dependable now as its predecessor was in 1941, usually on the first pull. Wheels up in a jiffy with excellent climb. Original 12 gallon fuel tank (881 is STCd for MOGAS, but 100 low lead is a much better choice) has been augmented with an 8 gallon wing tank - nice reassurance when you've perhaps stretched things a little farther than you should have. All-in-all, this little bird will stay aloft just as long as your rear end will stay in the seat.
Description and equipment details provided by the seller. AeroGurus does not verify seller-provided information.
Price Comparison 1 active offer
| Source | Price | Location | Listed | Days on Market | Status | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Jeb Bishop
trade-a-plane.com
|
$64,700
|
Virginia Beach, VA | Mar 20, 2026 | — | Active |
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AeroGurus Data & Analysis
Independent data from FAA, NTSB, and market analysis
About This Piper J-3 Cub
This 1941 Piper J-3 Cub (N38881) is a 2-seat single engine piston with 4,510 hours on the airframe. There are currently 29 J-3 Cub aircraft listed for sale with asking prices ranging from $33,000 to $101,320. This aircraft is priced above the market average at $64,700.
NTSB records show 0 incidents for this airframe — a clean safety record.
Pre-Purchase Checklist
Ownership & Registration
FAA registration data pending for N38881.
Location & Ownership
Title Status
No FAA title records
Available for US-registered aircraft only
Source: FAA Aircraft Registry, FAA Civil Aviation Registry (DocIndex). Title data may be delayed. Always verify with an aviation attorney before purchase.
Safety Record
NTSB safety data coming soon.
We'll check N38881 against the NTSB accident database.
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