Piper J-3 Cub vs Piper Super Cub
The Piper Super Cub (PA-18) and J-3 Cub are the iconic Piper taildraggers — the J-3 is the light, minimalist 1930s-40s classic; the Super Cub is the more powerful, more capable back-country development.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
- For sale now
- 26
- Median asking
- $63,100
- Range
- $34,050–$88,500
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 7
- Source marketplaces
- 8
- Model years available
- 1939–1947
- For sale now
- 48
- Median asking
- $136,875
- Range
- $63,716–$223,750
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 15
- Source marketplaces
- 9
- Model years available
- 1944–2024
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 | Piper Super Cub |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 3 | — |
| Serious | 0 | — |
| Fatal | 0 | — |
| Fatalities | 0 | — |
| % Fatal | 0% | — |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Piper J-3 Cub | Piper Super Cub |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $34,050 – $88,500 | $63,716 – $223,750 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 2 | — |
| Cruise Speed | 65 kts (120 km/h) | 100 kts (185 km/h) |
| Range | 191 nm (354 km) | 400 nm (741 km) |
| Max Gross Weight | 1,220 lbs (553 kg) | 1,750 lbs (794 kg) |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | — |
Which Should You Buy: Piper J-3 Cub or Piper Super Cub?
Bottom line: Choose the Super Cub for real back-country/utility capability — more power, useful load and STOL performance. Choose the J-3 Cub for pure, light, low-and-slow classic flying and the lowest operating cost — a vintage experience rather than a working bush plane.
Pick the J-3 Cub if…
- Budget matters — from $34,050 vs $63,716, you save ~$29,666.
Pick the Super Cub if…
- Faster cruise — 100 kts vs 65 kts.
- Longer range — 400 nm vs 191 nm.
- More inventory — 48 listings vs 29.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.