With the approach of Civil Air Patrol’s 80th anniversary Dec.1, Maj. Ronald C. Finger of the Minnesota Wing’s Crow Wing Composite Squadron worked with Col. Frank Blazich of the Col. Louisa S. Morse Center for Civil Air Patrol History, CAP national historian, on a special project — to create “Timeline Flight” paintings showcasing some of the wide variety of CAP aircraft flown over the years.
The 21 aircraft selected span the Coastal Patrol days of World War II, the postwar years and finally the aircraft Civil Air Patrol aircrews fly today. This is the 20th. The 21st will be published Dec. 1.
Cessna 185 Skywagon
Capacity: 6
Length: 25 ft 9 in
Maximum speed: 178 mph
Cruise speed: 167 mph
Range: 830 mi
Service ceiling: 17,150 ft
The Cessna 185 Skywagon is a six-seat, high-winged, single-engine, general aviation light aircraft and first produced in March 1961. The popular 185 was reintroduced in the 1990s with tricycle landing gear and can also be fitted with amphibious floats, or skis. The 185 is differentiated from the similar 180 by a larger vertical fin and its 300 hp Continental IO-520-D engine. The versatile, rugged capabilities of the Skywagon make it a popular option for Civil Air Patrol search and rescue missions.
N5142G is flown by the Alaska Wing.
Sikorsky S-39BStinson 105-10A VoyagerBeechcraft Staggerwing B-17L Waco YKS-6Fairchild 24-C8FGrumman G-44A WidgeonStinson SR-9C Reliant “Gull Wing”Piper J3-65 CubCulver Cadet LCAErcoupe 415-CAeronca L-16ABeechcraft T-34 ANorth American AT-6 TexanBeechcraft -45H ExpeditorCessna O-1 Bird DogCessna 310-EMaule MT-7-235 Super RocketDe Havilland Canada DHC-2 BeaverGippsland GA-8 Airvan
