Piper PA-20 · Dakota Cub Wings
Short Wing Super Cub
I thought I bought a bush plane in Alaska. It looked the part — until I flew it. Then came Dakota Cub slotted wings, a Tri-Pacer fuselage rebuild, and a Pumpkin Orange Short Wing Super Cub built with Mike Butterfield and The Crew at Yakima Aerosport.
The mission
A Pacer that flies like a Super Cub
Syd Griffiths bought a plane in Alaska that looked ready for the bush. After a year of flying, he wanted more. A call to Mike at Yakima Aerosport kicked off an adventure: Dakota Cub leading-edge slotted wings on a short-wing Pacer, built by hand with The Crew.
What started as a wing swap became a full project — Service Bulletin #819 tubing work, left door, skylight, Cub gear, patroller doors, and a Lycoming O-360 in matching orange.
Build progress
From ribs to ramp
Follow every major step of the Short Wing Super Cub project — photos and notes from the hangar.
The Ribs
Building wing ribs under the watchful eye of Yakima Aerosport.
Covering the Wings
Stitts process fabric covering — and discovering Service Bulletin #819.
Dakota Cub Aircraft Slotted Wings
Pumpkin Orange Stitts Poly Tone and polished aluminum leading-edge slots.
Fuselage Build-up
Tri-Pacer fuselage tubing repairs, left door, skylight, and Cub gear.
Rudder and Brake Pedals
Rudder and brake pedal installation.
Trim System
Trim system installation.
Baggage Compartment
Building out the baggage compartment.
Attaching the Wings
Wing day — the plane finally looks like an airplane.
Wing Cables and Pulleys
Patient work routing cables through inspection covers.
Engine, Cowling, and Nosebowl
Lycoming O-360, cowling, and nosebowl in matching orange.
The Doors
Patroller doors — windows from the wing to the floorboard.
All Done!
Finished Short Wing Super Cub — thanks to Mike and The Crew.
Before & after
From “bush plane” disappointment to finished orange bird
Thinking about a short-wing project?
Mike Butterfield and Yakima Aerosport know Pipers. Call (509) 453-3412 or send a message — no mail app required.