Piper Cub In the mid-1930s, Bill Piper brought in Walter Jamouneau, and under his direction, the original Cub was modified to its historic, bright yellow J-3 version. Powered by a 40 hp (30kW) engine, in 1938 it sold for just over $1,000. During World War II, newspapers of the era often featured images of wartime leaders, such as Generals Dwight Eisenhower & George Patton surveying European battlefields in Piper Cubs. Felt appliqué and embroidered logo.