Cessna 185 Skywagon

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-39B
Stinson 105-10A Voyager
Beechcraft Staggerwing B-17L 
Waco YKS-6
Fairchild 24-C8F
Grumman G-44A Widgeon
Stinson SR-9C Reliant “Gull Wing”
Piper J3-65 Cub
Culver Cadet LCA
Ercoupe 415-C
Aeronca L-16A
Beechcraft T-34 A
North American AT-6 Texan
Beechcraft -45H Expeditor
Cessna O-1 Bird Dog
Cessna 310-E
Maule MT-7-235 Super Rocket
De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver
Gippsland GA-8 Airvan