J-3 CUB/L4 Grasshopper (Piper Cub G-BECN)

[RATTFINK]

J-3 CUB/L4 Grasshopper (Piper Cub G-BECN)





The small Piper Cub had an important role during World War II.  The standard J3 Cub was modified by giving it more glazing in the cockpit for better visibility and some other extra equipment.  It was rename the L4 Grasshopper.  

The L-4 played an important part in the Invasion of Normandy and the rest of occupied Europe.  The L-4 Grasshopper was feared by the Germans and whenever they saw one approaching they would halt all activity so that they would not give away their position to the Pilot.  

It was said that the unarmed L-4 Grasshopper controlled more firepower than that of the heavily armed B-17 Flying Fortress.  The Germans knew that one radio call from the pilot would mean that all the allied artillery in the area would be focused on their position.


Please
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[Tiger]

First we would need artillery

[Beefcake]

Even though AH has no artillery the grasshopper could still be a great plane for tank spotting. An idea I had for it would be to allow it spawn and take off from V-Fields.

[Hornet33]

Well even though we don't have artillery what about coding something along these lines here. Put a gunsite on the thing. When the pilot pulls the trigger a countdown starts, say 30 seconds, and at the end of the countdown 24 100lb bombs go off at the point of aim in a circular pattern. This would represent a battalion fire mission of heavy guns. The HE shell for a 155mm is roughly 100lbs so it works out fine. After the shot hits start the reload timer and make that a full minute. Make the reload sound effect a radio call saying "Artillery now on call" or something along those lines. Give it 12-14 fire missions on the ammo counter before it has to land and rearm.

You could also add rockets to the thing but make them smoke warheads instead of HE. The thing is a spotting aircraft after all.

The firing time would be slow but it would pack a big punch.

[RATTFINK]

Originally posted by Hornet33
Well even though we don't have artillery what about coding something along these lines here. Put a gunsite on the thing. When the pilot pulls the trigger a countdown starts, say 30 seconds, and at the end of the countdown 24 100lb bombs go off at the point of aim in a circular pattern. This would represent a battalion fire mission of heavy guns. The HE shell for a 155mm is roughly 100lbs so it works out fine. After the shot hits start the reload timer and make that a full minute. Make the reload sound effect a radio call saying "Artillery now on call" or something along those lines. Give it 12-14 fire missions on the ammo counter before it has to land and rearm.

You could also add rockets to the thing but make them smoke warheads instead of HE. The thing is a spotting aircraft after all.

The firing time would be slow but it would pack a big punch.

I don't think so Come back to reality bro.


I'm just asking for a L4 Grasshopper NOT a miracle worker

Do a little research on it & you will see it was never armed.  AH wouldn't even do what you asked due to the unrealistic nature.

[RATTFINK]

Ok, let me explain something here.


"Artillery"

was just a part of the description of what the L4 Grasshopper helped find and coordinate.  I’m not asking for artillery, just a slow flying plane for spotting.  

Maybe just as useful as the RV-8 (which has nothing to do w/ WWII & yes, in some MA’s it is available).

[Hornet33]

The L-4 Grasshopper, a military version of the Piper J3 Cub, provided direct support for ground forces during World War II. Piper produced 5,801 L-4s between 1941 and 1945. The L-4 performed its first combat mission for the Army on November 9, 1942. During the North African campaign, three L-4s were flown off a carrier deck to spot for ground units going ashore in the invasion of North Africa.

The L-4 Grasshopper could take off in less than 500 feet fully loaded. It accommodated a pilot and observer, with radio gear, in tandem seating. Frequently, the Grasshoppers flew without doors to improve visibility and were sometimes outfitted with skis and floats.

During tests evaluating their potential for military use, Major General Innis P. Swift, commander of the 1st Cavalry Division, became enthusiastic over the performance of the "grasshoppers," as he called the aircraft. Grasshopper became a standard nickname for L-4.

The L-4 Grasshopper spent much of it’s operating time in close proximity to the enemy, pin pointing locations for precise and powerful US artillery barrages. The L-4 also provided medical evacuation and allowed battlefield commanders an unmatched view of the battlefield. They were frequently the most important air asset on the battlefield.

The L-4 Grasshopper served in all theaters of World War II. The most numerous of the liaison aircraft, the L-4 performed it’s duties superbly in all combat theaters. They even have 2 German aircraft 'kills' to thier credit! L-4s continued to serve in the early Korean war and carried their reputation into the post-war civilian sector becoming highly prized as private planes.


I have looked into it and I know it was never armed. I didn't ask for it to be armed. I suggested that it be able to call in artillery strikes. That's what they used it for. My post was how to go about giving it an offensive capability that is in keeping with what the plane actually did. Point of aim using the crosshairs i.e. plot the target area, pull the trigger i.e. call for fires, time delays to simulate the time needed for the guns to fire and reload for the next fire mission. Ammo counter showing number of fire missions available so one plane doesn't fly around all day blowing stuff up. It could even be limited to only being able to fire if it's within 16 miles of a friendly base, town, or spawn point. Beyond that range it can't fire as that will simulate being beyond the range of friendly guns.

As far as the rockets go I thought I've seen pics of one of those things with smoke rockets under the wings. I'll try and find them.

[Motherland]

Or, you could just load up a Stuka or Il2, and not only be able to call targets, but destroy them... and you'd still have a slow flying aircraft...

[RATTFINK]

Piper developed a military variant ("All we had to do," Bill Jr. is quoted as saying, "was paint the Cub olive drab to produce a military airplane"), [3] variously designated as the L-4, O-59 and NE-1.

The variety of models were collectively nicknamed “Grasshoppers” and were used extensively in World War II for reconnaissance, transporting supplies and medical evacuation.[4] L-4s were also sometimes equipped with lashed-on infantry bazookas for ground attack.

Mechanically identical to the J-3, the military versions were equipped with large Plexiglas windows extending over the top of the wing and behind the rear-seat passenger, and the side windows were enlarged.

In Europe, the final dogfight of WWII occurred between an L-4 and a German Fi-156 Storch. The pilot and co-pilot of the L-4, Lts. Duane Francis and Bill Martin, opened fire on the Storch with their .45 caliber pistols, forcing the German air crew to land and surrender.

After the war, most L-4s were destroyed or sold as surplus, but a few saw service in the Korean War. The Grasshoppers sold as surplus in the U.S. were redesignated as J-3s, but often retained their wartime glazing and paint.