Photograph:
Cessna 170A VH-SLY (c/n 20145) at Cowra, NSW in March 2012 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Four-seat light cabin monoplane
Power Plant:
One 108 kw (145 hp) Continental C-145-2 six-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 10.97 m (36 ft)
- Length: 7.61 m (24 ft 11½ in)
- Height: 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in)
- Wing area: 16.17 m² (174 sq ft)
- Never exceed speed: 183 km/h (114 mph)
- Max speed: 230 km/h (143 mph)
- Cruising speed at 75% power: 195 km/h (121 mph)
- Stalling speed clean: 94 km/h (59 mph)
- Stalling speed full flap: 89 km/h (55 mph)
- Initial rate of climb: 210 m/min (690 ft/min)
- Normal range: 950 km (590 miles)
- Fuel capacity standard: 136 litres (30 Imp gals)
- Fuel capacity optional: 182 litres (40 Imp gals)
- Take-off distance over 15 m (50 ft) obstacle: 555 m (1,820 ft)
- Landing distance over 15 m (50 ft) obstacle: 535 m (1,755 ft)
- Empty weight: 547 kg (1,205 lb)
- Useful load: 408 kg (900 lb)
- Loaded weight: 998 kg (2,200 lb)
History:
The Cessna Model 170 was introduced into the Cessna range in 1948 as a development of the earlier two-seat light cabin monoplanes, the Models 120 and 140, and to meet a requirement amongst operators in the United States for four seats. Somewhat similar in appearance to the previous models, but with larger overall dimensions, the Model 170 was in fact a completely new design.
Production continued for eight years until 1956 when the Model 172 appeared. At first, the Model 172 was basically the Model 170 with a tricycle undercarriage and revised tail surfaces. The Model 170 was designed by Mitch Zurawinski and three prototypes were built.
The prototype of the Cessna 170 series (NX41691) flew for the first time in September 1947, and production commenced in March the following year, being powered by the new Contnental C-145-2 six-cylinder engine. By the end of 1948 orders for 700 examples had been received.
Following the initial production order the new model for 1949 was the 170A. This had an all-metal wing supported by a single strut on each side, increased fuel capacity, all-metal semi-tapered wings, and a swept dorsal fin for better directional stability. Some 2,250 examples were produced during the four years in which the Model 170A was in production.
In 1952 the Model 170B was produced with larger wing flaps, a modified engine giving 108 kw (145 hp), and minor styling changes and improvements. The wing now had three-degrees dihedral and semi-Fowler flaps which were derived from those fitted to the Cessna Bird Dog. About 3,000 examples of this model were built, with production continuing until 1956 when a Model 170B was fitted with a tricycle undercarriage and became known as the Model 172. The Model 170B received some revision in 1955, with the installation of larger rear windows, modified flaps, and revised tailwheel steering.
A total of 5,171 of all models was built and about ten have been registered in Australia and at least three in New Zealand.