Do you know where the letter “J” came from in the model number J2 and J3?

C.G. Taylor asked designer Walter Jamouneau to make some cosmetic modifications to the E-2 Taylor Cub with strict instructions not to make any structural changes. However, Jamouneau, acting on Mr. Pipers orders, made the changes he saw fit while Taylor was out of the factory. Jamouneau changed Taylor’s right angle design of the wing tips and tail feathers forming them into the familiar round shape you see today.

During the first test flight, Taylor was back at the field and when he saw the re-design he fired Jamouneau.

Long story short, Piper didn’t want to fire Jamouneau and ultimately Taylor and Piper parted ways. Piper bought out Taylor’s interest in the company and promoted Jamouneau to head designer at the young age of 24.

The new model with rounded wing tips and tailfeathers was then named the J2 Cub. The “J” standing for Jamouneau.

The picture above is of Mr Piper and Walter Corey Jamouneau. Walter is the one on the right, obviosly I got this photo from J3-Cub.com