Bazookas and Grasshoppers

The venerable Piper J-3 Cub was produced with extra windows and other modifications and used in WW II and in Korea as observation planes and to direct artillery fire. The military version was known as the L-4 and nicknamed the “Grasshopper.” It was generally hated by the enemy since they knew that it was a harbinger of incoming artillery, but usually, little effort was made to shoot them down since the fighter planes were more urgently needed against bombers and other aircraft.

That changed when Lt. Col. Charles Carpenter determined to participate in the fight rather than just watch while directing fire. He mounted bazookas on the wing struts, and his exploits earned him the moniker, “Bazooka Charlie.” Braving heavy fire, he dived on armored vehicles, and destroyed at least six tanks and several other vehicles. Methinks his little grasshopper turned into a hornet!

The L-4 in the main photo (not Bazooka Charlie’s plane) was restored by Dr. David Ahrens of Guthrie Center, Iowa. It was in very poor condition when he purchased its remains, and with thousands of hours of work he restored it to better than new condition. In 2018 he flew it to the field artillery base at Fort Sill, Oklahoma for the 100th anniversary of Henry Post Army Airfield, where it had been stationed in the early 1950’s. It was the only time civilian planes have been allowed on that airfield and was a memorable trip in a monumental airplane piloted by its intrepid pilot.

I will always hold the deepest respect for those flew them under adverse conditions as well as for those who who understand their historical significance and care enough to restore them from adverse condition and keep them flying. Well done, my esteemed friend.

#l-4grasshopper #grasshopper #l-4 #bazookacharlie #fortsill #artillery

PS–I was stationed at Fort Sill from 1979 to 1982 and provided medical care for the artillery personnel and their families. I also was a member of the base’s Red Leg Flying Club and flew small planes out of Henry Post Army Airfield,