The military version of the Piper Cub, the L-4 was produced in large numbers for the then-new role of airborne artillery spotting and liaison. The L-4 prototypes, which were designated YO-59 and O-59, were evaluated by the Army in its annual maneuvers at the end of 1941. The L-4Bs (980 airplanes), L-4Hs (1,801), and L-4Js (1,680) were the only models that were actually produced as such, but the need for this type of airplane was so great that the L-4Cs, Ds, Es, Fs, and Gs were all civilian airplanes impressed into service by the Army. The impressed airplanes were used mainly to train glider pilots. The L-4 performed its first combat mission for the Army on November 9, 1942, when three of these airplanes were flown off a carrier deck to spot for ground units going ashore in the invasion of North Africa. The airplanes were piloted by Lt. William Butler (with Capt. Brenton Deval sitting in the back seat), Lt. John R. Shell, and Capt. Ford Allcorn. The TG-8 was a training glider evolved from the L-4. Members of the Civil Air Patrol flew hundreds of the L-4s searching for enemy submarines in coastal waters. At the end of World War II, many of the L-4s were sold in place in Europe.
| Contractors: | Piper Aircraft Corp. |
| Locations Built: | Lock Haven, Pa. |
| Number Built: (USAF) | 14,125 (approx 5,160) |
| First Flight: | September 10, 1930 |
| First Flight Model: | Taylor Aircraft Co. E-2 |
| First Flight Location: | Bradford, Pa. |
| First Flight Pilot: | Unconfirmed |
| Models/Variants: | O-59, O-59A (later redesignated L-4, L-4A). L-4B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K |
| Powerplant: | One Continental O-170-3 flat-4 of 65 hp |
| Wingspan: | 35 ft 3 in. |
| Length: | 22 ft 0 in. |
| Height: | 6 ft 8 in. |
| Weight: | 1,220 lb gross |
| Armament: | Usually one or two M1911 .45-cal. pistols carried by crew; aircraft had none |
| Accommodation: | Crew of two (pilot and observer) |
| Cost: | $2,600 |
| Max. Speed: | 85 mph |
| Range: | 190 mi. |
| Ceiling: | 9,300 ft. |
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