Cessna 195
At the end of World War II, Cessna found itself with few military contracts, though the company was not overly concerned--its bread and butter had always been the small civil aircraft market. As a way to reenter that market, Cessna began designing the Model 195 before the war had ended.
The Cessna 195 was meant to turn heads: it was loosely based on the prewar Cessna 165, but was far more streamlined, and most importantly, built out of aluminum rather than wood. This made it a much stronger aircraft, albeit a more expensive one. A radial engine was included for plenty of power, which had the added effect of Cessna using a larger fuselage to accomodate the engine; the larger fuselage meant for more passengers, and a Model 195 could carry four passengers in comfort. The high-mounted, unbraced wing also left the fuselage open for the passengers, and offered high lift: Cessna would like the wing design so much that it would use a similar design for its later aircraft.
The Model 195 was clearly meant for the high end of the general aviation market, and though it was an excellent aircraft, it came with a high price tag. This would somewhat limit sales, though 1180 were still produced; about 90 aircraft were built as LC-126s for the US military, mainly the US Army. After the Model 195, Cessna would move away from bulky radials to more aerodynamic, if not as powerful inline engines. Production ended in 1954 as Cessna turned to what would be one of the most successful civil aircraft in history, the Cessna 150.
The term "so well polished you could shave in it" is often an exaggeration, but not in the case of N4403C, a Cessna 195 based in Bozeman, Montana and originally built in 1952. While I didn't shave using its reflection, I did check my sunscreen! This gorgeous aircraft was in for the annual Three Forks Fly-In in August 2019.
Cessna 195
At the end of World War II, Cessna found itself with few military contracts, though the company was not overly concerned--its bread and butter had always been the small civil aircraft market. As a way to reenter that market, Cessna began designing the Model 195 before the war had ended.
The Cessna 195 was meant to turn heads: it was loosely based on the prewar Cessna 165, but was far more streamlined, and most importantly, built out of aluminum rather than wood. This made it a much stronger aircraft, albeit a more expensive one. A radial engine was included for plenty of power, which had the added effect of Cessna using a larger fuselage to accomodate the engine; the larger fuselage meant for more passengers, and a Model 195 could carry four passengers in comfort. The high-mounted, unbraced wing also left the fuselage open for the passengers, and offered high lift: Cessna would like the wing design so much that it would use a similar design for its later aircraft.
The Model 195 was clearly meant for the high end of the general aviation market, and though it was an excellent aircraft, it came with a high price tag. This would somewhat limit sales, though 1180 were still produced; about 90 aircraft were built as LC-126s for the US military, mainly the US Army. After the Model 195, Cessna would move away from bulky radials to more aerodynamic, if not as powerful inline engines. Production ended in 1954 as Cessna turned to what would be one of the most successful civil aircraft in history, the Cessna 150.
The term "so well polished you could shave in it" is often an exaggeration, but not in the case of N4403C, a Cessna 195 based in Bozeman, Montana and originally built in 1952. While I didn't shave using its reflection, I did check my sunscreen! This gorgeous aircraft was in for the annual Three Forks Fly-In in August 2019.