Here's a scan of the US Army data card for my L-4A. Looks like the original cost to the Army was $2853, and the delivery date was 28 May, 1943. Entries show the aircraft ferried to Camp Polk (Now Fort Polk) Louisiana, and later transfer for ferry and eventual disposal under the authority of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation.
The manufacturer's serial number, 10371, is not mentioned. Only the Piper build sheet (as obtained from Clyde Smith) mentions both the USAAF and manufacturer's serial numbers. This was the first indication that I had over 22 years ago that I was about to purchase an aircraft originally manufactured as an L-4, and not a J-3 converted to L-4 configuration.
This image is from micro fiche records, courtesy of the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum. The original card apparently no longer exists. You'll have to rotate it for easier reading.
View attachment ScanUSArmyDataCard4329080.pdf
The manufacturer's serial number, 10371, is not mentioned. Only the Piper build sheet (as obtained from Clyde Smith) mentions both the USAAF and manufacturer's serial numbers. This was the first indication that I had over 22 years ago that I was about to purchase an aircraft originally manufactured as an L-4, and not a J-3 converted to L-4 configuration.
This image is from micro fiche records, courtesy of the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum. The original card apparently no longer exists. You'll have to rotate it for easier reading.
View attachment ScanUSArmyDataCard4329080.pdf
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