THE AIRFORCE - AIRCRAFT - 185E SKYWAGON
Aircraft Stats:
Powerplant: 1 x 260 hp Continental IO-470-F piston engine
Speed: 274 kph, 170mph mph
Range: 1 987km, 1,235miles
Seats: 1+5
Length: 7.77m, 25ft 6in
Span: 11.92m, 2ft 2in
Empty Weight: 769kg, 1,696lb
Max T/O Weight: 1 451kg, 3,200lb
Period of Service: 1967 - 2006
Weapons:
None specified
Squadrons:
None specified
Attrition:
No incidents found
None specified
Squadrons:
None specified
Attrition:
No incidents found
185E Skywagon
Status: Retired
Manufacturer: Cessna
Country of Manufacture: United States
Role: Reconnaissance/Utility
Chosen over the Dornier Do27 to replace the Auster AOP for observation tasks, the first of the Cessna 185 Skywagons arrived in South Africa in 1962, going to 42 Squadron which at that time was under the control of the SA Army. In total, 45 aircraft were purchased, comprising 24 185A, 12 185D and 9 185E versions, the last of which arrived in 1968.
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