Piper NE-1 or NE-2

[coldaffyduck]

My father is getting close to finishing up the restoration of his J-3 Cub and is trying to figure out the paint scheme he would like to paint it in. He is not particularly fond of Cub Yellow. He saw a picture once of a NE-1/2 painted up with the three tone Navy paint scheme and he has asked me to see if I could find him some pictures of them. I know they were primarily used with the Airship Squadrons during WWII. On a side note, his Cub is a warbird due to the fact it was built in '39 and then used by the CAP during WWII. But he doesn't like the CAP paint scheme either. Any and all help in this matter would be appreciated.

[RyanShort1]

A '39 Cub? What's the serial number on it. Our ALS Cub's dataplate indicates it's a '39 as well...

Ryan

[mike furline]

From what I understand all NE-1's were completed in Cub Yellow when delivered to the Navy.
Any other paint job is a non-standard Navy mod.

I do research at the National Archives, I might be able to help you out. PM me if you like.

Regards,
Mike

[coldaffyduck]

Ryan,
The s/n on my Dad's aircraft is 3991 and it is actually a J3F-65.

Mike,
PM sent to you.

Also does anyone know of a database of all the planes used by the CAP and did these aircraft receive Army or Air Force serial numbers? I remember my Dad being contacted about 15-20 years ago by someone that told him this Cub was used by the CAP and for a donation they would send him documentation and a plaque stating this. I would like to see if this was true or just a scam.

Thanks,

[Forgotten Field]

A friend has a J-3 that is painted in the three tone Airship Squadron scheme. It is very striking. It is basically the Atlantic colors. I will ask him if he has any original photos.

[Seafury1]

That's interesting, my fathers cub (3995) was first purchased by Utah Pacific Airlines in November 39' It was also a J-3F-65 (Sport Cub.) then his went into the CPT that was also Cub yellow paint scheme, it has had many owners since. Anyone have info on Utah Pacific Airlines?

Mike

[RyanShort1]

Our J-3 is s/n 3150.

Ryan

[jdvoss]

Here are some possibilites for you:

1. Flying Leathernecks in WWII by T.E. Doll pg. 52, has a photo of two USMC NE-1's in the So Pacific in what appears to be a 'wrap around' color scheme of a dark color (OD or navy dark blue).

2. United States Navy Aircraft since 1922, by Gordon Swanborough, pg. 462, has a photo of a NE-1 assigned to Airship Squadron 32 (NAS Moffett Field, CA). It's in navy color scheme of either a two or three color camoflauge (it's hard to tell from the photo).

3. You might wish to contact W.T. Larkins as he has quite a photo file of WWII A/C most of which he photographed himself. He may have some good input for you.

[coldaffyduck]

jdvoss,
Thank you for the suggestions. How do I get ahold of W.T. Larkins?

[jdvoss]

If you contact me at vossj@comcast.net I will provide you with Bill's e-mail address.

Also, you might wish to contact the US Naval Institute as they have a fantastic photo collectiopn of all USN, USMC and USCG aircraft.

[Roger Cain]

Bill "WTL" has his email address posted on his home website at
http://home.earthlink.net/~wtl/ (at the bottom) but due to the number of requests he receives, it may take him a short while to reply.....