Description

Aircraft Specifications Airframe 8,634 Hrs as of September 2024 Engine(s) Continental A65-8 265.2 Hrs as of September 2024 Released from overhaul November 2017 Propeller(s) Sensenich W72CK-42 275.2 Hrs Avionics Trigg TY91 VHF TT22 Transponder Exterior Authentic WWII 1944 9th Air Force as 63D Interior Authentic period Location Duxford, UK Status In Annual and Airworthy Annual due date: September 2025 Additional Info History The Piper L-4 Grasshopper is a military version of the famous 1930’s Piper Cub. The aircraft has a simple, lightweight design which gives it good low-speed handling properties and short-field performance. Ideal as a trainer, the Grasshopper/Cub is one of the best known light aircraft of all time. This L-4H Grasshopper rolled off the production line at Piper on 5th June 1944 in Lock Haven, PA, USA and was accepted by the USAAF on 8th August 1944. She was allocated to General Simpson’s Ninth US Army (NUSA) based in France at the time. She was typically used for reconnaissance, artillery spotting, and moving personnel behind the lines. Following the Ninth US Army Eastward, 44-79766 was attached to Headquarters as NUSA participated in the Battle Of The Bulge in December 1944 followed by the crossings of the Roer and Rhine Rivers, until the final capitulation ofGermany on VE Day, 8 May, 1945. Since then, 44-79766 has remained in Europe, and was operated by a French flying school immediately after the war. She was based in France until 1982 when she was purchased by the late Ken Wakefield, the World’s leading expert on liaison aircraft and their use during WWII. The author of many key books Ken lovingly and faithfully restored 44-79766 to her original markings as they would have been during the war. The L-4H is based at IWM Duxford and available for Inspection strictly by appointment only via the Broker.