St. Jude Express Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six

Additional Information:

The Piper PA-32 Cherokee Six is a single-engine, fixed landing gear, light aircraft manufactured in the United States by Piper Aircraft between 1965 and 2007. The Cherokee Six featured a baggage compartment in the nose between the cockpit and the engine compartment and a large double door in the back for loading of passengers and cargo. In 1966, Piper obtained FAA certification for a 300 hp version, designated as the PA-32-300. This variant came with a 300hp Lycoming IO-540-K1A5 engine and was offered for sale in 1967. The PA-32 is still used around the world for private transportation, air taxi services, bush support, and medical flights.

St. Jude Express was formed as a charitable, non-denominational non-profit organization in July of 1967 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 1968, St. Jude began flying missions of mercy to remote places throughout the Southwest and Mexico using the PA-32-300 Cherokee Six, N-4102R. With each flight the little blue and white plane delivered medicine, food, and clothing to people in need. Their operations covered New Mexico, western Texas, and northern Mexico and lasted until 2012.

The PA-32 aircraft was owned by the Raskob Foundation of Wilmington, Delaware and all of the local pilots volunteered their time flying the mercy missions. A second Cherokee Six, N-410-SJ, was a red and white aircraft added in 1975.

GALLERY: