Hobbycraft 1/48 Piper J-3/L-4 Cub
As part of Neil's "D-Day Group Build", I thought I would add something a little out of the ordinary, a forgotten "combatant". Most people identify D-Day with big guns and bombers, fighters ruling the skies, and transports dropping paratroops. These unarmed "warriors" played a little known, but dangerous role.
Also known as the "Grasshopper", "Puddle Jumper", etc., the Pipers were assigned to the US Army V Corps Field Artillery, as liason, and used them for observation and reporting German positions. A WWII version of the modern day FAC.
The Hobbycraft kit was simple, but one of their better ones (IMHO). The fuselage was molded in clear. This kit would be a good start for a "super detailer". I had a good time with it, and was pleased with the results.
11 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Andrew Wainwright said on March 7, 2014
WOW! that's nice Joe
Simon Whitney said on March 7, 2014
Joe, that looks sweet. Even at that scale it looks small. Like the sharks mouth on the nose, was it a decal?
Well done Joe.
Joe Caputo said on March 7, 2014
Thanks Guys, the shark mouth is painted on, the stripes are decals. It really is a sweet, little kit. I don't think I'd want to try it in 1/72. lol
Frank Cronin said on March 7, 2014
Joe,
This is perfect. I built one of these and regardless what you say, it was not that easy to do. You have made a remarkable addition to D-Day with this exceptional piece of work.
AL HOFFMAN said on March 7, 2014
This is more my speed Joe. Very well done. Is that a replica of you standing there?
bob mack said on March 7, 2014
fantastic joe...love those bush hoppers of the silent war
Michael Wayne Knowles said on March 7, 2014
I'm sure the Germans trembled in fear when they saw this fearsome warrior coming their way!
Tom Cleaver said on March 8, 2014
Actually, Michael, they learned to tremble in fear, since the "fearsome warrior" could call down the thunder of Thor and the lightning bolts of Zeus on them - the artillery.
Chuck A. Villanueva said on March 7, 2014
Neat little build on the Piper. 1st time I have seen one built. Unique plane for a very important mission. Extremely dangerous tasking, those pilots and observers had some brass ones to do this job. True heroes. Good job and thanks for sharing.
Chuck
Fly Navy
Seamus Boughe said on March 7, 2014
Ha, ha, ha, outstanding! Just like Chuck, this is the first time I have seen one of these built. It is a real pleasure to see someone take a "Hobbycrap" kit and turn it into something worth looking at. Good on you.
Bryan W. Bernart said on March 7, 2014
Nice job on a decidedly rudimentary lump of styrene. I have built the same and was left cold by the result.
Jaime Carreon said on March 8, 2014
Good looking model, Joe! You did it justice.
An L4 pilot was credited with an air to air kill when he shot down (with a Colt .45) a Fiesler Storch over France in one of the weirdest dogfights on record.
http://www.5ad.org/units/Duane%20Francies.htm
Another strapped a bunch of bazookas to the wing struts and went tank hunting:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CharlesCarpenter(Lt._Col.)
And you thought they were just puddle jumpers!
Mike Maynard said on March 8, 2014
Nice clean build, Joe, I like the "nose art", great!
Tom Cleaver said on March 8, 2014
Nice work, Joe, on a kit that needs all the nice work it can get.
George Williams said on March 11, 2014
Anothert good job, Joe, shame you didn't keep a 'WIP', then you could have entered it in the group build.