Today’s Top Aircraft For Sale Pick: 1946 Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser

This vintage personal aircraft from the immediate post-World War II era has three seats and plenty of charm.

Each day, the team at Aircraft For Sale picks an airplane that catches our attention because it is unique, represents a good deal, or has other interesting qualities. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.

Several years ago, I spotted one of these classic Pipers for sale and began making a case for owning it. Unlike the tandem two-seat J-3 Cub and PA-18 Super Cub, the PA-12 has three seats—one in front and two in back. I dreamed of strapping my two sons into the back seat and taking them with me on unforgettable airborne adventures. They were 10 and 7 at the time, and didn’t weigh much, so I figured we would be fine even with full fuel.

Fast forward almost a decade, and the boys, one a college sophomore, the other a high school junior and both athletes, are more interested in other adventures and might send the airplane over its maximum takeoff weight. My wife and I fly together all the time, however. I think we would look great stepping out of this vintage gem.

This 1946 PA-12 has 3,500 hours on the airframe and 100 hours on a rebuilt Lycoming O-320 engine with a new Sensenich propeller. The updated panel features a Garmin GTN 650 and two G5s, Lynx 9000 ADS-B transponder, and an engine monitor. The airplane received new paint and interior in 2003.

Pilots looking for an attractive, old-school taildragger with the added practicality of a third and Super Cup-style horsepower should consider building time in this 1946 Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser, which is available for $139,995 on AircraftForSale.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Financial Group. For more information, email info@flyingfinancial.com.

Jonathan Welsh is a private pilot who worked as a reporter, editor and columnist with the Wall Street Journal for 21 years, mostly covering the auto industry. His passion for aviation began in childhood with balsa-wood gliders his aunt would buy for him at the corner store. Follow Jonathan on Twitter @JonathanWelsh4

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