The International Cessna 170 Association

Bruce Fenstermacher wrote:Gary that would be a '52. The give a way is that it has assist straps but the clincher is the larger later pedal design.

Bruce, I think your later assessment that this may be a late A model is correct. In looking at the 170A IPC (fig. 40-45) assist straps are shown. As far as rudder pedals there are three different part numbers: for the early A models (s/n 18318-19184) there is p/n 0510150 (the short pedal?), late A models and early B models shared p/n 0310452, and late B models (s/n 20610 and on) had p/n 0310453. So is it possible that the seat fabric material also carried over from the late A model to the early B model?

The picture of the 170 is not a 52. The material is wrong. And also if you look at a 52 paint scheme on the boot cowl in front of the door it has 3 stripes going into the door. This isnt a 52 paint scheme. My guess a 51 without looking at a 51 paint scheme.

To avoid missing the elephant in the room, why would a factory '52 have a controllable propeller?

It might not actually be a propeller control. My 170 had the Gyro stabilizer (auto pilot) installed extremely early on. The control cable that engaged the stabilizer looked like that control though ours was routed through the right panel cover above the cigarette lighter.

mike roe wrote:The picture of the 170 is not a 52. The material is wrong. And also if you look at a 52 paint scheme on the boot cowl in front of the door it has 3 stripes going into the door. This isnt a 52 paint scheme. My guess a 51 without looking at a 51 paint scheme.

Don't be confused by the lack of paint beneath the upper door hinge, as none of them were painted in that location, which makes it appear to be a seperate stripe.

This is NOT a '51 model. Here's a 51 paint scheme:

Mike, That's a good eye! And it has me stumped. As John pointed out, one broad stripe in front of the door and two stripes in the back seems to match the 1953 paint scheme but of course that is not a '53 interior. Here's a picture from Larry Westin's website of N41698.

Bruce Fenstermacher wrote:It might not actually be a propeller control. My 170 had the Gyro stabilizer (auto pilot) installed extremely early on. The control cable that engaged the stabilizer looked like that control though ours was routed through the right panel cover above the cigarette lighter.

Bruce, wouldn't that have required a directional gyro? The Lear L-2 seems to have been the autopilot of the day back then. Here's a picture of what looks like the control unit for it and also a picture of the required DG.

This might not be a factory photo. If you blow it up the altimeter is not a 6 oclock knob. And the panel was cut for the knob location. Could this be the A mdl with a paint job. Where did the photo come from. Were they selling the aircraft or the jewlrey.( I cant even spell it)

mike roe wrote: Where did the photo come from.

Larry Westin's website is where I found the photo. It also shows an air-to-air shot of what is claimed to be N41698. It has a '53 paint scheme. Yet the N number doesn't match anything in our directory. Interestingly it is only 5 numbers off from the seaplane picture of N41693 which is said to be an A model. My guess is that our mystery interior is from a Cessna factory demo plane or prototype/experimental that is a late '51 C-170A (large rudder pedals) with a '53 paint job. Could it be that this Javelin advertisement (with another one of BluElder's ubiquitous gals ) is the same plane? The various options such as McCauley or Kopper adjustable props and Javelin's baggage compartment fuel tank were factory approved modifications that are listed in the TCDS, not STCs. They may have used this plane to get CAA approval on those modifications.

Gary the gyro stabilizer installed in my aircraft was the Globe type 69A112 which is item 412 in the TCDS. I have no idea how it worked except that the TCDS requires the following placard: Placard required near automatic control controller: "Do not use Auto pilot during Takeoff and Landing Within 75 feet of ground."

So it was considered an auto pilot.

I don't have the install instructions and I'm sure I don't have all the equipment for the install but I do have the control cable, gyro and clutch and gear assembly that attached to I believe the ailerons and the rudder but it might only have connected to the rudder. Our rudder still has the longer control arm attached to the normal control horn which my partner conveniently (and not correctly) uses to increase the control input to the tail wheel.

Interesting Gary that both those N# were issued to Bellanca's in 1992. Probably as a larger block.

Wonder if the pictured A model on floats and perhaps the '53 flying weren't wearing temporary registration numbers while Cessna owned them.

BTW if you blow up a picture of that flying '53 you can make out at least one face and maybe two in the back seat.

n2582d wrote:

Javelin Advertisement.jpg

Could it be that this Javelin advertisement (with another one of BluElder's ubiquitous gals ) is the same plane? The various options such as McCauley or Kopper adjustable props and Javelin's baggage compartment fuel tank were factory approved modifications that are listed in the TCDS, not STCs. They may have used this plane to get CAA approval on those modifications.

There's an AIRPLANE in that photo???

Bruce Fenstermacher wrote:Interesting Gary that both those N# were issued to Bellanca's in 1992. Probably as a larger block.

Wonder if the pictured A model on floats and perhaps the '53 flying weren't wearing temporary registration numbers while Cessna owned them.

In perusing old threads I noticed that the tailspring mount bracket and rudder/tailwheel steering cables are pre-'53. The tailspring mount bracket was changed to the fishmouth style mid '52. Cowling and spinner are post '52 though. Clearly a hybrid.Photo courtesy of Larry Westin's website.