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United States' Cessna AT-8 Crane, Cessna AT-17 / UC-78 Bobcat trainer

Photos

Cessna T-50 Crane trainer:
United States' Cessna T-50 Crane trainer
Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook 		Cessna T-50 Crane trainer:
United States' Cessna T-50 Crane trainer
Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook 		Cessna T-50 Crane trainer:
United States' Cessna T-50 Crane trainer		  

Design

The Cessna Bobcat was based on a civilian version of the Cessna Model T-50.1,2

Prototype

Production

  • Cessna AT-8: 331
  • Cessna AT-17: 4501
  • Cessna AT-17A: 2231,2
  • Cessna AT-17B: 4661,2
  • Cessna AT-17C: 601,2
  • Cessna AT-17D: 1311
  • Cessna UC-78: 1,2871
  • Cessna UC-78B: 1,8061
  • Cessna UC-78C: 3271
  • Cessna JRC-1: 671
  • Total Cessna UC-78 series: >3,0002
  • Total: 4,8501
    • Manufacturer: Cessna Aircraft Company2

Variants

  • Cessna T-50: Cessna's designation.3
  • Cessna AT-8: Army trainer.3
  • Cessna AT-17: Had wooden propellars.1
  • Cessna AT-17A: Had metal propellars.1,2
  • Cessna UC-78:
  • Cessna UC-78B: Wooden propellars.1
  • Cessna UC-78C: Wooden propellars.1

Usage

The UC-78 Bobcat was used until 1949.2

Canada

The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) received 550 via lend lease and named them Crane IA.1

Specifications

  Cessna Cessna AT-8 Cessna AT-17 Cessna UC-78 Bobcat
Type   Trainer3 Advanced trainer1, Trainer2 Light transport1
Crew     1 - 22  
Passenger     42 4 - 51
Engine (Type)   2: Jacobs L4MB3
2: Lycoming R-680-91 		2: Jacobs R-755-91,2 2: Jacobs R-755-91
Cylinders   Radial 91 Radial 71,2 Radial 71
Cooling     Air2  
HP   225 each3, 295 each1 245 each1,2 245 each1
Propeller blades     31 31
Dimensions        
Span 41' 11"1
12.77 m1 		41' 11" 3 41' 11"2  
Length 32' 9"1
9.98 m1 		32' 9"3 32' 9"2  
Height 9' 11"1
3.02 m1 		9' 11"3 9' 11"2  
Wing area        
Weight        
Empty 3,500 - 4,050 lb1
1,588 - 1,837 kg1 		     
Loaded 5,300 - 5,700 lb1
2,404 - 2,585 kg1 		5,100 lb3 5,300 lb2  
Performance        
Speed   195 mph3 195 mph2 195 mph1
314 kph1
Cruising speed       175 mph1
281 kph1
Climb       1,325'/minute1
404 m/minute1
Service ceiling     22,000'2 22,000'1
6,705 m1
Range   750 miles3 750 miles2 750 miles1
1,207 km1
Armament     None2  

Sources:

  1. Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
  2. World War II Airplanes Volume 2, Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi, 1976
  3. Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook, Ensign L. C. Guthman, 1943