Photograph:
Cessna 425 Corsair VH-PTH² (c/n 425-0044 – ex N555BE) at Bankstown, NSW in February 1982 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Light business and executive aircraft
Power Plant:
Two 336 kw (450 shp) Pratt & Whitney PT6A-112 turboprops
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 13.45 m (44 ft 1½ in)
- Length: 10.93 m (35 ft 10¾ in)
- Height: 3.84 m (12 ft 7 1/3 in)
- Wing area: 20.9 m² (224.98 sq ft)
- Max cruising speed at 5,495 m (17,700 ft): 489 km/h (304 mph)
- Initial rate of climb: 618 m/min (2,027 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 10,577 m (34,700 ft)
- Range at max cruising speed at 9,145 m (30,000 ft): 2,606 km (1,620 miles)
- Max range at 389 km/h (242 mph) at 9,145 m (30,000 ft): 3,050 km (1,895 miles)
- Range with max payload at 471 km/h (293 mph): 1,252 km (778 miles)
- Empty weight: 2,209 kg (4,870 lb)
- Loaded weight: 3,720 kg (8,200 lb)
History:
In 1980 the Cessna 425 Corsair was introduced to the Cessna range. Based on the airframe of the Model 421 Golden Eagle, the Corsair was fitted with Pratt & Whitney PT6A turboprops. Construction of the prototype began on 30 January 1978, and this aircraft flew for the first time on 12 September 1978. Accommodation was provided for two in the cockpit (side-by-side with dual controls), and seating was available for four passengers in the cabin. As an option, the front passenger seats could be fitted facing aft, and forward-facing seventh and eighth seats could be installed to make a total of ten. Baggage space was provided in the nose, with an external access door, with a capacity of 272 kg (600 lb), and in the rear of the cabin, which had a capacity of 227 kg (500 lb).
Later, in 1982, the name Corsair was changed to Conquest I. Up to that time 132 Corsairs had been delivered and, from aircraft c/n 119 onwards, new avionics were introduced, and a number of optional cabin accessories, furnishings, and interior trims became available. In 1983 the Conquest II (Model 441) appeared, this having 474 kw (635 shp) Garrett TPE 331-8-403S turboprops, whereas the Conquest I had the 336 kw (450 shp) Pratt & Whitney of Canada PT6A-112 turboprops.
A small number of examples of the Model 425 have been registered in this region, including: VH-ULX (c/n 425-0124 – ex N6882M) registered from December 1988 to August 2000; VH-PTH (c/n 425-0044) registered from December 1981 to July 1983 when it was exported to the United States; VH-HBM (c/n 425-0151) registered from May 1982 to June 1989 when it was also exported to the United States; VH-JEC (c/n 425-183) first registered in June 1985, which became VH-EGS in June 1986; and VH-EGR (c/n 425-0195) registered on 30 August 1988 which served with the Royal Flying Doctor Service until exported to the United States in March 1999.