The result was the Vagabond, essentially a side-by-side version of the tandem J-3 Cub credited with saving the company.

It is equipped with an extra wing tank, added doors to accommodate the new seating, and a Lycoming O-235, the same engine that would later power the Cessna 152.

The PA-16 Clipper retained the control sticks that had up to that point been common in aircraft derived from the "Cub" family.

As a result of this pressure Piper further refined the model, adding wing flaps, further fuel tanks and replaced the control sticks with yokes.

[1][2] Despite the low number of aircraft built, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, in April 2018 there were still 303 examples in service in the United States.