A Taylor J-2 ‘Silver Cub’ was acquired by Floyd Johnson in the late 1960’s from an individual in New England and was flown to Mexico Farms by local pilot, Edward Koch, during an eventful flight. This aircraft was a special 1936 type produced by the Taylor Aircraft Company at Bradford, PA and was identified by its aluminum color with blue stripes, hence the name ‘Silver Cub’. Floyd was extremely generous in offering both old and young pilots the opportunity to fly his historic antique aircraft.
David Poling recalled that in the early 1970’s Floyd recognized that the airplane needed a replacement of its fabric covering. Johnson was always a most genial individual in working with youngsters. He enlisted the help of his sons and daughter, Craig, Billy, and Joyce, to assist in the fabric replacement project. They were assisted by local teenagers, among them David Poling and Rick Arbogast. The J-2 Cub recovery project was accomplished in the hangar next to the air field’s snack bar. Numerous days and evenings during the summer of 1973 were spent by Floyd and his wife, Josephine, ably assisted by the eager young helpers. The Taylor J-2 restoration was completed in 1974 and finished in a black and orange color scheme as a tribute to Forrest Miller’s pre-WW II J-2 and Floyd’s Aunt Minnie Johnson’s Aeronca C-3 Collegian, both of which sported the same colors. It is to the credit of Floyd and Josephine that this became an open project and their generosity has remained a source of pride and fondly recalled by those who participated in this worthy project.
The Taylor J-2 Cub on the ground and on final approach at Mexico Farms.
Josephine later became the owner of a 1937 Taylor J-2 ‘Yellow’ Cub. Thus the unique married couple of Floyd and Josephine Johnson were the well known owners of a ‘His’ and ‘Hers’ Taylor Cubs. This rare situation was probably the first among the antique aircraft associations. After the death of Floyd in the 1990’s both of the Cubs were sold.
At the nostalgic annual ‘Sentimental Journey’ Fly-In held at Lock Haven, PA in June, 2001, Floyd Johnson’s old J-2 Cub was the star among a prestigious group of Piper / Taylor aircraft present. Two young airline pilots are the current owners of the Floyd’s J-2 Cub and had flown the aircraft from their base in Lovettsville, VA to Lock Haven. Their exuberance in owning and flying this treasured airplane was evident. As with Floyd in the past, these young owners were generous in offering the antique aircraft to several pilots to fly at the event. In heaven, Floyd Johnson surely is pleased that his cherished 65 year old Cub is once again bringing pleasant flight experiences to a new generation of young pilots.
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Wings Over Cumberland 