The L-4A liaison aircraft, originally designated the O-59, was the military version of the famous Piper J3 "Cub." The Army ordered the first O-59s in 1941 for tests in conjunction with its growing interest in the use of light aircraft for liaison and observation duties in direct support of ground forces. Between 1941 and 1945, the Army procured almost 6,000 Piper Aircraft.
During WW II, "Grasshoppers" performed a wide variety of functions throughout the world such as for artillery fire direction, pilot training, glider pilot instruction, courier service and front-line liaison.
The L-4 on display (S/N 42-36790) is painted and marked to represent an L-4 (S/N 42-36389) that flew in support of the Allied invasion of North Africa in November 1942. It was placed on display in April 1995.
References
Source: National Museum of the United States Air Force "Piper L-4A "Grasshopper" retrieved November 12, 2005
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