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The Cessna 120, 140, and 140A, are single-engine, two-seat,
The Cessna 120 was an economy version of the 140 produced at the same time. It had the same engine as the 140, but lacked wing flaps. The rear-cabin "D" side windows and electrical system (radios, lights, battery and starter) were optional. A 120 outfitted with every factory option would be nearly equivalent to a 140, but the International Cessna 120/140 Association believes that no 120s were originally built this way. Despite this, many decades' worth of owner-added options have rendered many 120s almost indistinguishable from a 140 aside from the absence of wing flaps. The 120 was dropped from production upon introduction of the 140A in 1949.
Landing Gear Legs and Extenders for the Cessna 120/140/140A Planes
Phillips, Edward H., : ''Wings of Cessna, Model 120 to the Citation III'', Flying Books, 1986. Despite these improvements, sales of the 140 lineup faltered, and the 140A comprised only seven percent of overall 120/140 production.
Cessna 120/140 Review
an extensive article on the history and features of the type {{Cessna 140 High-wing aircraft Single-engined tractor aircraft 1940s United States civil utility aircraft Aircraft first flown in 1945 Aircraft with fixed conventional landing gear Single-engined piston aircraft
conventional landing gear
Conventional landing gear, or tailwheel-type landing gear, is an aircraft Landing gear, undercarriage consisting of two main wheels forward of the Center of gravity of an aircraft, center of gravity and a small wheel or skid to support the tail ...
(tailwheel), light general aviation
General aviation (GA) is defined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as all civil aviation aircraft operations except for commercial air transport or aerial work, which is defined as specialized aviation services for other ...
aircraft
An aircraft ( aircraft) is a vehicle that is able to flight, fly by gaining support from the Atmosphere of Earth, air. It counters the force of gravity by using either Buoyancy, static lift or the Lift (force), dynamic lift of an airfoil, or, i ...
that were first produced in 1946, immediately following the end of World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
. Production ended in 1951, and was succeeded in 1959 by the Cessna 150
The Cessna 150 is a two-seat tricycle gear general aviation airplane that was designed for flight training, touring and personal use.Plane and Pilot: ''1978 Aircraft Directory'', pages 22-23. Werner & Werner Corp, Santa Monica CA, 1977. In 19 ...
, a similar two-seat trainer which introduced tricycle gear
Tricycle gear is a type of aircraft undercarriage, or ''landing gear'', that is arranged in a tricycle fashion. The tricycle arrangement has one or more nose wheels in a single front undercarriage and two or more main wheels slightly aft of th ...
. Combined production of the 120, 140, and 140A was 7,664 units in five years.Christy, Joe: ''The Complete Guide to the Single-Engine Cessnas - 3rd Edition'', pages 12-17. TAB Books, 1979. Plane and Pilot: ''1978 Aircraft Directory'', page 22. Werner & Werner Corp Publishing, 1978.
Development
Cessna 140
The Cessna 140 was originally equipped with a Continental C-85-12 or C-85-12F horizontally opposed, air-cooled, four-cylinderpiston engine
A reciprocating engine, more often known as a piston engine, is a heat engine that uses one or more Reciprocating motion, reciprocating pistons to convert high temperature and high pressure into a Circular motion, rotating motion. This article ...
of . The Continental C-90-12F
The Continental C90 and O-200 are a family of air-cooled, horizontally opposed, four-cylinder, direct-drive aircraft engines of 201 in3 (3.29 L) displacement, producing between 90 and 100 horsepower (67 and 75 kW).''Federal Aviation Admini ...
or C-90-14F of was optional, as was the Lycoming O-235-C1 engine, an aftermarket installation authorized in the type certificate
A type certificate signifies the airworthiness of a particular category of aircraft, according to its manufacturing design (''type design''). Certification confirms that the aircraft of a new type intended for serial production is in compliance w ...
. This model had a metal fuselage
The fuselage (; from the French language, French ''fuselé'' "spindle-shaped") is an aircraft's main body section. It holds Aircrew, crew, passengers, or cargo. In single-engine aircraft, it will usually contain an Aircraft engine, engine as wel ...
and fabric wing
A wing is a type of fin that produces both Lift (force), lift and drag while moving through air. Wings are defined by two shape characteristics, an airfoil section and a planform (aeronautics), planform. Wing efficiency is expressed as lift-to-d ...
s with metal control surfaces. The Cessna 170
The Cessna 170 is an American single-engine, four seat, general aviation aircraft produced by the Cessna Aircraft Company between 1948 and 1956.
It is the predecessor of the Cessna 172, the most produced aircraft in history, which repla ...
was a larger four-seat development of the 140, sporting a more powerful engine.
Cessna 120
The Cessna 120 was an economy version of the 140 produced at the same time. It had the same engine as the 140, but lacked wing flaps. The rear-cabin "D" side windows and electrical system (radios, lights, battery and starter) were optional. A 120 outfitted with every factory option would be nearly equivalent to a 140, but the International Cessna 120/140 Association believes that no 120s were originally built this way. Despite this, many decades' worth of owner-added options have rendered many 120s almost indistinguishable from a 140 aside from the absence of wing flaps. The 120 was dropped from production upon introduction of the 140A in 1949.
Cessna 140A
In 1949, Cessna introduced the 140A, a new variant with aluminum-covered wings and single wing struts instead of the fabric wing covering, dual "V" struts, andjury strut
In aeronautics, bracing comprises additional structural members which stiffen the functional airframe to give it rigidity and strength under load. Bracing may be applied both internally and externally, and may take the form of struts, which act in ...
s fitted on earlier models. Standard engines were the Continental C-90-12F
The Continental C90 and O-200 are a family of air-cooled, horizontally opposed, four-cylinder, direct-drive aircraft engines of 201 in3 (3.29 L) displacement, producing between 90 and 100 horsepower (67 and 75 kW).''Federal Aviation Admini ...
or C-90-14F of , with the Continental C-85-12, C-85-12F, or C-85-14F engines optional. The spring-steel gear had been swept forward on 120 and 140 models in late 1947 so landing gear extenders were no longer necessary to counter nose-over tendencies during heavy application of brakes; all 140A models had the improved gear legs.International Cessna 120-140 AssociationLanding Gear Legs and Extenders for the Cessna 120/140/140A Planes
Phillips, Edward H., : ''Wings of Cessna, Model 120 to the Citation III'', Flying Books, 1986. Despite these improvements, sales of the 140 lineup faltered, and the 140A comprised only seven percent of overall 120/140 production.
Modifications
Common modifications to the Cessna 120 and 140 include: *"Metalized" wings, where the fabric is replaced with light-gauge sheet aluminum, eliminating the need to periodically replace the wing fabric. *The installation of landing gear extenders to reduce the tendency of the aircraft to nose over on application of heavy braking. These were factory-optional equipment. *Installation of rear-cabin "D" side windows on 120s that were not originally so equipped. *Installation of electrical systems on 120s that were not originally so equipped, allowing owners to install an electric starter, more sophisticatedavionics
Avionics (a portmanteau of ''aviation'' and ''electronics'') are the Electronics, electronic systems used on aircraft. Avionic systems include communications, Air navigation, navigation, the display and management of multiple systems, and the ...
and/or lights for night flying.
*Installation of a more powerful engine. A popular conversion today is to replace the original C-85 or C-90 with a 100 hp (75 kW) Continental O-200
The Continental C90 and O-200 are a family of air-cooled, horizontally opposed, four-cylinder, direct-drive aircraft engines of 201 in3 (3.29 L) displacement, producing between 90 and 100 horsepower (67 and 75 kW).''Federal Aviation Admini ...
. A kit is available to install a Lycoming O-320
The Lycoming O-320 is a large family of naturally aspirated, air-cooled, flat four engine, horizontally-opposed four-cylinder, direct-drive engines produced by Lycoming Engines. Introduced in 1953, it is commonly used on light aircraft such a ...
but this conversion is less prevalent due to a roughly 100 lb (45 kg) weight penalty and a sharp increase in fuel consumption.
Operators
Military
; *Guatemalan Air Force
The Guatemalan Air Force ( []) is the aerial warfare service branch of the Armed Forces of Guatemala. The FAG is a subordinate to the Military of Guatemala, Guatemalan Military and its commanding officer reports to the Defence Minister.
Mission ...
;
*Nicaraguan Air Force
The Nicaraguan Air Force () is the air defense branch of the armed forces of Nicaragua. It continues the former Sandinista air units. Before 1979 the Nicaraguan National Guard had some air units ().
Air force
In 1920, the National Guard received ...
Hagedorn 1993, p. 38.
Specifications (Cessna 140)
See also
References
*External links
* AVweb'Cessna 120/140 Review
an extensive article on the history and features of the type {{Cessna 140 High-wing aircraft Single-engined tractor aircraft 1940s United States civil utility aircraft Aircraft first flown in 1945 Aircraft with fixed conventional landing gear Single-engined piston aircraft