The PA-18 Super Cub series airplane was the last Piper production airplane type to carry the Cub nameplate. The first upgraded version of the J-3 was the PA-11 Cub Special which was distinguishable by the closed engine cowling over its 65 hp Continental engine. Soon a Continental C-90 AF engine was added. More important, the PA-11 was the first Cub that could be flown solo from the front seat. The front seat was higher and more forward because of the movement of fuel tanks fuel tanks from the nose to the left wing root section of the aircraft and the resulting change in the center of gravity. The PA-11 was first flown in August 1946 and a total of 1,428 were built between 1947 and 1950.
The PA-18 Super Cub was a strengthened PA-11 with the ability to support up to a 150 hp engine. Externally the only noticeable structural change was a slight additional rounding of the vertical fin and rudder. The PA-18 was introduced in November 1949 in three basic versions, the Standard, the Deluxe with starter and generator, and the Agricultural version. The famous bear cub logo was replaced by a circular medallion in which the name Piper was crossed vertically and horizontally using the middle "P" as the common letter for both positions. The standard Cub Yellow paint scheme was replaced annually with changes of colors and trims.
The PA-18 was produced at the Lock Haven factory until that plant was closed in 1983 but production resumed in 1988 at the new Piper facility in Vero Beach, Florida, under new ownership. About 8,500 civilian Super Cubs were delivered and more than 1,800 airplanes were also delivered to the U.S. and several foreign military services as L-18Cs and L-21s for liaison, training, transport and target tugs work.