This page contains all my pictures about Cessna's Classic
models: Starting with the 120-140 series, then up to the 170 and finally, the beautiful
190 & 195 !
I am
dedicating this page to
Mr. Mort Brown, the first Chief Pilot of Production Flight
Test, Cessna Aircraft Company, from 1937 - 1972, with whom I had the
honor and immense pleasure of having very interesting conversations.
A big salute also goes to his wife Sharon, who's work is making it
possible for all to learn of Mort's achievements.
Picture from Paul Bowen Photography Inc, as featured on the book
"Pistons, Props & Tail Draggers", by Mort & Sharon Brown, 2006
To learn more
about Mort
Brown's amazing career,
click here !
The 120-140 Series:
To learn everything you always wanted to know about the
Cessna 120-140, THE reference is the International 120-140 Association's
web site ! Click here
to visit their web site and become a member !
The Cessna 140: The Model 140 was first designed in
January 1945 with the prototype flying in June of that year.
Originally equipped with a 85hp Continental C-85-12 engine it was
all metal, except fabric covering of the wings. Later a 90hp
engine was offered in option, the Continental C-90-12F/14F.
It came with metal wing flaps actuated by a lever in the cabin,
dual wheel controls and pedals, steerable tail-wheel, engine
mufflers, sponge rubber non-sagging seats, deluxe upholstery,
complete sound-proofing, heater, cool air vents, toe-operated
hydraulic brakes and complete electrical system, including a
generator and self starter. A fixed pitch, wood or metal
propeller was optional. By August 1950, when the last Model
140 was delivered, 7,045 Model 120 & Model 140 airplanes were
built by Cessna ! Of those, a great many are still flying
today, proof of the quality of that design. It was first
introduced in 1946 and was sold for $ 3,245.00
The Cessna 120: The Model 120 was identical to the
140 but was a stripped-down version, making it very popular for
the training schools of the day. Electrical systems were
optional and the upholstery simple but functional. It does
not have wing flaps nor rear D window although many had them added
afterwards. It was first introduced in 1946 and was sold for
$ 2,695.00
The Cessna 140A: The Model 140A was introduced to
prolong the life of this basic design, making its first flight in
1949. It had metal covered wings of a slightly different
configuration and is easily recognizable by its single wing struts
like its more modern cousin, the 150. But with this
exception, it was basically a deluxe 140. A total of 525
Models 140A were built, the last serial number was 15724 and was
produced in March of 1951.
The 170 Series:
The Cessna 170: The Model 170,
along wth its cousins the 120 and the 140 were known as the
"rag-wing" Cessnas as they were the last fabric-covered wing models
produced. The Model 170, a 4-place version of the 120-140 made
its first flight in September 1947. Within 9 months of
concept, the Model 170 was designed, built and took to the air !
Deliveries started 6 months later.
The Cessna 170A: In 1949, Cessna
discontinued fabric-covered wings and converted the 170 to an
all-metal covering, thereby creating the Model 170A.
The Cessna 170B:
Introduced in 1952, the
Cessna 170B was introduced featuring a new wing incorporating
dihedral similar to the military version. The B model was equipped
with very effective modified-Fowler (slotted, rearward-traveling)
wing flaps which deflect up to 40° and a wing design that lives on
in the Cessna light singles of today (constant NACA 2412 section
with a chord of 64 inches (1,600 mm) from centerline to 100 inches
(2,500 mm) out, then tapering to 44-inch (1,100 mm) NACA 2412
section chord at 208 inches from centerline, with three-degree
washout across the tapered section). The 170B model also included a
new tailplane, a revised tailwheel, larger rear windows and other
refinements over the 170 and 170A.
(This text is from
Wikipedia)
In 1955, the
previously elliptical rear side windows were changed to a more
square design.
The Airmasters:
The Cessna 190 & 195: The Model 190 &
195 were known as the "Airmasters", the 195 being Mort Brown's
preferred model of all the aircraft manufactured by Cessna to this
day. This model emerged in December 1944. The 195 was
powered by a 300hp Jacobs engine and flew at a top speed over 180
mph with 4 passengers and luggage. It was the executive
aircraft of its time.
Note: Most of the details
listed above about the Cessna airplanes were extracted from the
book "Cessna's Golden Age", by Alan Abel, Drina Welch Abel & Paul
Matt, published by Wind Canyon Books, Inc. in 2001 - ISBN:
1-891118-37-4.
The Model 190 &
195 were known as the "Airmasters", the 195 being Mort Brown's
preferred model of all the aircraft manufactured by Cessna to this
day. This model emerged in December 1944. The 195 was
powered by a 300hp Jacobs engine and flew at a top speed over 180
mph with 4 passengers and luggage. It was the executive
aircraft of its time.
