Cessna Model 190 / 195

1947

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Cessna Model 190/195

The aircraft of the Cessna Models 190 and 195 series were unique amongst postwar Cessna single-engined light-planes in being powered by radial engines. The two types were produced in parallel between 1947 and 1954.

The Model 190, of which 233 were built, was powered by the 179kW Continental R-670-23. The two version of the Model 195 were almost indistinguishable from the Model 190: the Model 195 was powered by the 224kW Jacobs R-755-A2, while the Model 195A had the 183kW Jacobs R-744-A2. Production of the Models 195 and 195A totalled 890, examples built in 1953 and 1954 being identifiable by their close-cowled engines, a small propeller spinner, and an increase of 50% in the area of the flaps let into the undersurfaces of the high-set unbraced wings. The series is also notable for the fact that it introduced Cessna's now-celebrated spring-steel main landing gear legs.

Specification 
 MODELModel 195A
 ENGINE1 x Jacobs R-744-A2 radial piston engine, 183kW
 WEIGHTS
  Take-off weight1520 kg3351 lb
  Empty weight921 kg2030 lb
 DIMENSIONS
  Wingspan11.02 m36 ft 2 in
  Length8.33 m27 ft 4 in
  Height2.18 m7 ft 2 in
  Wing area20.26 m2218.08 sq ft
 PERFORMANCE
  Max. speed278 km/h173 mph
  Cruise speed249 km/h155 mph
  Ceiling4875 m16000 ft
  Range1207 km750 miles

Comments1-20 21-40
Jack Miller, e-mail, 17.02.2018 03:16

I came across a Youtube video of my Dad's once owned Cessna 195,N4402C he owned in the early 60's. It's great to see that she still flying and maintained in beautiful condition as when my Dad maintained her. Loved the sound of old shaky Jake starting up and on takeoff. Brings back some great memories.

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Bob Roller, e-mail, 10.03.2023 Jack Miller

I always said it was the pistons changing holes that made that "Shaky Jake" sound like it did on start up.A friend had a Model J Duesenberg that sounded like that.These were magnificent relics of days that will NEVER return.What is the going price now for a 190 or 195? The Duesenberg was recently offered for $ 1.65 million.
Bob Roller

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Gordon Lamb, e-mail, 11.05.2017 19:05

I owned 3465V for 17 years. Loved it. Last engine was a turbo charged Jacobs 275 that was rated at 360 HP. Got it to 30,000 feet, but with oxygen aboard, often cruised at levels up to 20,000 feet. Heater was a Southwind or Genair, similar to what was in Volkswagon buss. Burned av gas from wing tanks, but went out at about 17,000 feet because of lack of oxygen. Had to watch manifold pressure on descent so as not to exceed max bmep. Cross wind gear was great, allowing landings in cross winds that made it impossible for conventional gear, though it precluded the installation of wheel pants. Taxiing in crosswind sometimes resulted in following plane calling ground to report aircraft in front just had gear collapse. Wondefull IRF aircraft. I miss it.

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Douglas Bennion, e-mail, 14.08.2016 08:45

My father owned a 190 from about 1959 to 1961 in Moses Lake, WA. I'm quite interested to find the aircraft and find out what its history has been. I know that he sold it with 2 W670s war-surplus still in the crate....wish I had those babies now!! The aircraft was the yellow and white paint scheme, if anyone has a clue where it might be. Would love to hear from you! Meanwhile, I'll comb through old family photos to see if I can find a picture showing the registration numbers. Cheers, Douglas Bennion

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Wesley Mc Callum, e-mail, 09.12.2015 05:13

I have owned 2 Cessna 195's over the years of my flying career. I really enjoyed the Business Liner more than any of the other Cessna's I owned. Its an airplane you need to respect and will make you a better pilot if you ever get to fly one.

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Willard Bean, e-mail, 02.10.2012 17:23

I flew the LC-126 at Ft Rucker in the Army instrument school in 1958. I remember it as very comfortable and stable airplane. The instrument panel and interior reminded me of an old Buick.

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Martin O'Donnell, e-mail, 31.05.2012 20:16

I have an owners manual for a 190 /195 reproduced from an original. My friend owned N3884V and thought it might be a good idea if I had a manual. Sure was a fun airplane!

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Jack Phillabaum, e-mail, 10.01.2012 22:15

I too got my instrument raiting in the Army's LC 126 at Ft. Bragg, NC The most comfortable aircraft I have flown. (maybe that is because it is really a civilian A /C) I don't remember it being dificult to fly, just taxi. Don't taxi to fast with the caster gear.

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Eric Wobschall, e-mail, 17.09.2011 18:16

A few minor corrections: The 190 model was powered by the Continental 240 HP W-670-23 (not R), the 195 was powered by the 300 HP Jacobs R-755A, the 195A was powered by the 245 HP Jacobs R-755-9 (military version L-4MB), and omitted was the 195B which was powered by the 275 HP Jacobs R-755B2.

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Bob Pettengill, e-mail, 26.08.2011 21:43

I was an army aviator in the 1950's. We had the 195's but they were designated as LC 126 in the Army. A wonderful aircraft to fly and with the swivel gear crosswind landings were great fun as you could land almost sideways.

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Bob Anderson, e-mail, 18.08.2011 02:10

Earned my Instrument Flight Certificate in a Cessna 195 in 1956 in the US Army. Loved the castering gear. Coming down the runway going sideways in a cross wind always excited the guy in the tower.

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James Stallings Sr, e-mail, 09.05.2011 05:35

Cliff is wrong, the W670-23 Contential is rated at 240 continous. not for 2 min. the only restricted engine was the 245 jake which was 245 for 5 min 220 continous

JS

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Gene Lamski, e-mail, 08.05.2011 07:07

I have owned a C-195 with the R755-a2-300 HP engine for 35 years and have gone through four engines. The aircraft has never let me down and I have used it to commute on a semiannual bases between Las Vegas and Minnesota. It is an excellent performer in the mountains. It does require the pilot to maintain control and be in command. I went from the 195 to an airline career and it taught me to plan ahead and prepare for any unplanned contingencies. I've lost my physical so the airplane is for sale.

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Ron Shank, e-mail, 13.04.2011 20:55

My father owned the plane in the picture (2123C) in the 60's! I learned to fly in that plane and a Luscombe 8A. Great airplane for a growing family. Many fond memories.

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John Irwin, e-mail, 08.04.2011 06:38

On looking at the photo on this site again, I realized that the rocker arm bumps on the cowl of my plane were painted a contrasting color with pinstripes. I loved looking out over that cowling.

Taxiing was never a problem with me. I would dig my heels in and straighten my back to where I could see quite well over the cowling. I alternated wheel and full stall landings.

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John Irwin, e-mail, 08.04.2011 06:34

I had a 195 painted just like the one on this site when I lived in Boulder, Colorado in the 60s. Great airplane in the Rockies and I purely loved to fly it. It cruised quietly at 135 at about the fuel usage of my previous TriPacer and held our family of 5 easily. I was finally "divorced" out of the plane. The new owner taxied it over a running Mooney and sawed off 4' from one wing. He said it was the worst noise he ever heard

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Grounded, e-mail, 17.11.2010 04:49

I had a 1947 195 for about 10 years. The engine was a Jacobs R915-L6MB, originally on a twin engine Canadian WW2 bomber. The plane was a magnificent performer and I loved the thing after I learned how to handle it on takeoff and landing. Actually, if you landed it like a Cessna 182, it was as tame as a kitten. Just pretend you had a nosewheel, keep the (imaginary)wheel off the ground when landing, and the plane just settled onto the runway. It would carry 5 adults, 120 lbs of baggage, 84 gallons of gas and 5 gallons of crankcase oil. It would cruise easily at 155 or so, and it had a cruise endurance greater than my "comfort" endurance. I once flew it nonstop from Portland, Oregon to Palo Alto, California. But when my 195 got old and needed big maintenance, it was just too expensive for my peasant lifestyle.

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Scott Boyd, e-mail, 06.11.2010 05:40

When I was in high school I used to walk to an airport about 2 miles away and hangout on weekends, helping wash airplanes and doing odd jobs and, of course getting a lot of free rides.

There was a 195, that was painted just about like the one pictured that I occasionally got a ride. It eventually crashed in Florida, if I remember right, Carbon monoxide leaking.

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Bob Heuermann, e-mail, 28.10.2010 23:43

I owned Cessna 195B N4409C for a number of years and even though I have flown many high performance military aircraft I rated old 09charley as one of the finest all around aircraft I ever flew or owned. It was one of the finest instrument aircraft ever. I have a lot of twin Beech time and I always preferred flying the 195 over the Beech. 90percent of my time is in Radial engine powered tail draggers. My 195 was a 1952 model with a R755B2 engine rated at 275hp.

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islander, e-mail, 13.02.2010 17:26

We recently had a 190 make an emergency landing in central
Houston Texas USA. It landed on the 11th hole of Hermann
Park Golf Course abutting the TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER. One
golfer in the fairway got a very, very low fly over. Pilot
blamed a faulty fuel indicator. His trip had 70-90 miles to
go.

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Swede Gamble, e-mail, 25.01.2010 04:33

Yes I own one.(N!95WG) It's a great airplane but if you get one be sure and have CFI who knows the airplane. It will make you good taildrager pilot. Just keep it going straight.

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