In the beginning of time well in aviation times anyway the engine was the weakest component. When Mr Piper first designed his beautiful little aircraft it was only for flying around the circuit to train new pilots. These new budding pilots could always be spotted in a crowd with those wide eyes an unmovable smiles. Well that was until about 2 hours flight time was logged and you know an engine failure was imminent.
William T Piper and his team were not afraid to try any breed or configuration including this 50hp Lenape Engine Company Papoose 3 cylinder radial. While it was a livelier piece of machinery than the flat fours, it had vibrations that were harrowing. Piper never mounted more than a baker's dozen Lenapes on the noses of Cubs.
However the Piper Aircraft publicity department's stunt of having a couple of it's pilots fly a Lenape powered Cub (NC20280) non-stop between Newark NJ and Miami FL in 1938 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the inauguration of air-mail service by the US Army in 1918.
Refueling was accomplished by letting down a rope from the Cub, and folks in autos and pick-up trucks tying on gas cans to be hauled up. (Interesting aside: apparently Fords were better able to accelerate, and were preferred over a Chevy for the job.
