Air Heritage L21B

[uh1h430]

The L21B was the first aircraft that Air Heritage acquired, even before we got into the MARC agreement and the new hangar. The L21 was built by Piper at the Lock Haven plant in the early 50s and sent under the lend lease program to the Italian Army in Italy. Which it spent many years, was returned to the United States in worn out shape and was allotted to the State of Pennsylvania Federal Surplus Property Program. From which it was awarded to a person in the Harrisburg PA area, about a year later the people at the surplus program became aware that this person was planning to sell the airplane or something along those lines and they went to this persons house and recovered the airplane.

The airplane was put back in the system and Air Heritage learned it was available again and reapplied for it. It was awarded to Air Heritage in 1987.

A full ground up restoration was done lasting several years, the original engine that came with the airplane was sent out and 0 timed. Thanks to Frank Kunz.

I have heard many stories about these cubs that went and came back and many are flying today one way or another.

The one thing about the L21B is it has flaps, which really makes it a real STOL airplane.

The paint scheme was copied from the original fabric, and also the cockpit was done it Italian where possible.

Below the airplane being loaded onto a trailer at the Harrisburgh warehouse then on the road back to Beaver Falls.






All below after the restoration

















Below is another Italian Army Cub from the same period, can't member who or when or where.







Thanks