Dave Woodcock’s Piper 1944 L-4H

I am very proud to be the owner of Piper L-4H, N9217H (43-30430), a veteran of WWII in Europe. She could easily be part of a museum. I purchased her from Kris Nastro, a Navy F-18 pilot who has a passion for Cubs and military history. All the paint, markings, and stencils are authentic to the year and unit. “44” is the designator for the 30th Infantry Division, Ninth Army, and B is the second of the 12 units in that division.

The following is some of her war record: 6 APR 1944: 43-30430 is “Factory Complete” @ Lockhaven. PA 10 - 19 APR 1944. Accepted by USAAF, crated and put on a train to Newark, NJ. 21 APR 1944. Departs as ships cargo 16 MAY 1944. Arrives @ US Forces Receiving Attlebridge, England 23 MAY 1944. Receives AGF (Field Artillery) Conditional Inspection 31 JUL 1944. Assigned to Ninth AAF in England 30 NOV 1944. Transferred to 30th Infantry Division 16 DEC 1944 - 25 JAN 1945. Battle of the Bulge Artillery spotting and recon during the great Ardennes - Alsace Offensive, near Malmedy, Belgium against the German 1st SS Division. 31 JAN 1945 L-4H was turned into Mobile Reclamation and Repair by 30th ID 01 MAR 1945. Returned back to 30th ID 24 MAR 1945. 30th ID assault at the Rhine River 07 APR 1945. 30th ID takes Hamlin then Braunschweig.

After the war she was purchased by a former USAAF L-4H pilot for $300 and eventually returned to the U.S. in 1947 where she was converted into a J-3C - 65. Kris found the plane 10 years ago and was committed to restore the aircraft to make her as authentic as possible but yet flyable. The A-65 was replaced with a C-90-8, no electrical system. Hand propping is part of the charm. Nearing the end of the restoration Kris met a 96-year-old young man who was a retired USAAF L-4 aviator. He told stories of sitting on his flak jacket and returning fire with his 1911 Colt 45. He told him, “We were just young men with nothing but the bare essentials.” That conversation led to the name above the nose art.

The C-90 engine was majored by Don’s Dream Machines - only about 175 hrs since the major and the restoration. Lots of power for this light airframe. Flies hands off beautifully - just takes some getting used to the rear seat solo, very light rudder feel and heel brakes. The plane was based at Meadow Lake, Colorado. My ferry pilot was Brooks Mershon. He lives in Boulder and specializes in ferrying tail draggers. It took him 22.7 hrs of flight time over 4 days. He really lucked out with the weather through Colorado, Wyoming and Idaho. He arrived here Monday evening after 11.5 hrs from Idaho Falls! Oh to be young again!