1947 Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser
Single Engine Piston
Aircraft Details
Seller reportedAvionics & Equipment
VFRIn 2019 I updated the panel to comply with the ADSB requirements. I went a bit crazy
but it was worth it. The GPS/Comm is a Garmin GTN 635. It's the same as the GTN 650 minus VOR/LOC. It has a flight stream 510 card installed which allows you to interface with your mobile devices. I mostly use it for wireless updates to the data base. The transponder is the Garmin GTX 345 ADSB In/Out. Traffic and weather are all displayed on the GTN. I also installed the Garmin G5. It's essentially 11 different flight instruments in one. The secondary flight instruments are essentially back ups to the G5. There is a 3 place intercom.
Description
I have owned the airplane for nearly 30 years and have been associated with the airplane for 45 years. I commissioned the current restoration. The airplane is mostly stock other than some of the modern amenities noted. During the restoration I created a time capsule and hid it in a place that only the next restorer will ever find. The Time capsule contains a detailed history of the airplane dating back to March 25th 1947. There is information about every person who ever owned the airplane along with photos of the airplane in many different liveries. I wanted to help the next owner/restorer of this great airplane know more about her. The location of the time capsule is a secret and will only be revealed to the next owner.
Engine
The engine is the original and was overhauled by Penn Yann Aero during the restoration. It currently has 630 hours SMOH. During the restoration we added an Air Wolf remote oil filter. I had the magnetos overhauled at 550 hours. The muffler and tail pipe were replaced during last year's annual.
Propeller
Ground up restoration in 2008. Every single piece of the airplane was restored or replaced. The paint scheme is period correct other than the choice of Portland Green and Diana Cream versus Tennessee Red and Diana Cream (the only choice in 1947)
Interior
The interior is totally custom and was made by Airtex. The exterior is Poly Fiber finished in Aerothane.
Description and equipment details provided by the seller. AeroGurus does not verify seller-provided information.
Price Comparison
| Source | Price | Location | Listed | Days on Market | Status | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Drew Middleton
trade-a-plane.com
|
$126,500
|
Louisville, KY | Jun 18, 2026 | 30 days | Active |
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Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser loan calculator
AeroGurus Data & Analysis
Independent data from FAA, NTSB, and market analysis
About This Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser
This 1947 Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser (NC4142M) is a 3-seat single engine piston with 4,400 hours on the airframe. There are currently 17 PA-12 Super Cruiser aircraft listed for sale with asking prices ranging from $68,000 to $180,000. This aircraft is priced above the market average at $126,500.
The PA-12 Super Cruiser cruises at 90 kts (167 km/h) with a range of 520 nm (963 km) — ideal for short hops and local flights. Service ceiling of 16,000 ft allows operation above most weather.
Operating costs: Fuel burn is 7 GPH (26 L/h), which at current 100LL avgas prices (~$6.20/gal) means approximately $43/hr in fuel alone.
NTSB records show 0 incidents for this airframe — a clean safety record.
Pre-Purchase Checklist
Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser — Model Specs
Model specificationStandard specs for this model. Actual aircraft may differ.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
AeroGurus estimatePIPER PA-12 Super Cruiser
AeroGurus estimates based on industry averages for the PIPER PA-12 Super Cruiser. Actual costs vary by location, usage, maintenance history, and configuration. Not a financial quote.
Ownership & Registration
FAA registration data pending for NC4142M.
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 NC4142M against the NTSB accident database.
Price vs Typical Asking Range
This asking price is above the typical asking range for this model, roughly $86,631–$138,720.
Based on current asking prices for comparable listings — asking prices only, not an appraisal or sale price.
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