Piper J-3 Cub vs Taylorcraft BC-12
The Taylorcraft BC-12 and Piper Cub are iconic light fabric taildraggers — the Taylorcraft side-by-side and lighter, the Cub the tandem legend.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · re-checked on a rolling daily cycle
- For sale now
- 30
- Median asking
- $59,999
- Range
- $33,938–$80,000
- Model years available
- 1939–1947
No active listings right now.
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
Safety Record
Absolute counts scale with fleet size — the most-produced types log more events without being less safe. Compare the % fatal.
| NTSB (1982–now) | Piper J-3 Cub | Taylorcraft BC-12 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 3 | 48 |
| Serious | 0 | 9 |
| Fatal | 0 | 7 |
| Fatalities | 0 | 8 |
| % Fatal | 0% | 15% |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Piper J-3 Cub | Taylorcraft BC-12 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $33,938 – $80,000 | — |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | — |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 2 | 2 |
| Horsepower | 65 HP | 65 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 65 kts (120 km/h) | 83 kts (154 km/h) |
| Range | 191 nm (354 km) | 326 nm (604 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 11,500 ft (3,505 m) | 12,000 ft (3,658 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 1,220 lbs (553 kg) | 1,200 lbs (544 kg) |
| Useful Load | 455 lbs (206 kg) | 500 lbs (227 kg) |
| Fuel Burn | 4.0 GPH (15 L/h) | 4.5 GPH (17 L/h) |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Which Should You Buy: Piper J-3 Cub or Taylorcraft BC-12?
Bottom line: Choose the Piper Cub for the iconic name and aftermarket; choose the Taylorcraft for side-by-side seating, light economy and lower cost. Cub = icon; Taylorcraft = side-by-side/value.
Pick the J-3 Cub if…
Pick the BC-12 if…
- Faster cruise — 83 kts vs 65 kts.
- Longer range — 326 nm vs 191 nm.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.