Cessna 195/floats

knot4u said:
He had a DGA he called "White Bear" and he might've had more, but that was the only one I ever got to poke my nose into and I don't recall what model it was. That was 30 years ago.
Click to expand...
The Spartan was back in the 70's. There is an old book written and photographed by an old TWA FA named Chris Sorenson. Took great pictures and Grandpa knew him from work. Dickenson is in it, my grandpa in a couple places (one neat picture of the airplane in my avatar in a formation take-off with a Waco YOC). The book is called "Flying the Old Planes" or something.
 
WacoFan said:
The Spartan was back in the 70's. There is an old book written and photographed by an old TWA FA named Chris Sorenson. Took great pictures and Grandpa knew him from work. Dickenson is in it, my grandpa in a couple places (one neat picture of the airplane in my avatar in a formation take-off with a Waco YOC). The book is called "Flying the Old Planes" or something.
Click to expand...
That Spartan Executive was still at Santa Paula when I worked there, I don't think the Dickensons still owned it at that time. I just remember someone opened a hangar door and I was gobsmacked at what I saw. Just a beautiful airplane from any angle.
 
knot4u said:
That Spartan Executive was still at Santa Paula when I worked there, I don't think the Dickensons still owned it at that time. I just remember someone opened a hangar door and I was gobsmacked at what I saw. Just a beautiful airplane from any angle.
Click to expand...
They are gorgeous machines. There was a group of 450 Pratt planes - the Spartan, the Waco SRE, the DGA-11, and the Stinson SR-9F, along with the Stag and there were all just insanely desireable. Like almost impossible to choose.
 
WacoFan said:
So @TUCKnTRUCK - what's up? What did you pull the trigger on, a 195 or a Howard or...??? Enquiring minds want to know!
Click to expand...
I’ve been on the hunts float kits seem to be the challenge honestly- plane won’t and EDO kits are tough to source atm.

It’s also Winter and I’ve been negotiating a lake house on Winnipesaukee - so everything’s kind of holding on that. (No big purchases before a big house purchase etc)

However if lake house, then def float plane to
Follow
 
TUCKnTRUCK said:
I’ve been on the hunts float kits seem to be the challenge honestly- plane won’t and EDO kits are tough to source atm.

It’s also Winter and I’ve been negotiating a lake house on Winnipesaukee - so everything’s kind of holding on that. (No big purchases before a big house purchase etc)

However if lake house, then def float plane to
Follow
Click to expand...
You are foolhardy to get a single engine airplane to fly your family around in - they are bigly dangerous.

Use the above excuse with your wife when convincing her you need to get less of a house so you can afford a real seaplane - a Grumman Goose. Do it. Be a man.
 
WacoFan said:
You are foolhardy to get a single engine airplane to fly your family around in - they are bigly dangerous.

Use the above excuse with your wife when convincing her you need to get less of a house so you can afford a real seaplane - a Grumman Goose. Do it. Be a man.
Click to expand...
Mr Widgeon entered the chat…
 
ahw01 said:
Mr Widgeon entered the chat…
Click to expand...
Knew a guy in Houston that had a Widgeon in the 70's. Always looked big to me to have 200hp Rangers on it. And I'm not sure the props feathered. The Fantasy Island plane was a Widgeon that had 985's and that would be fun. But for a Widgeon you'd need to STC some 985's or go with the bigger flat motors (EWWWW!) I would think. Not sure - have you flown one? I love the Grumman flying boats.
 
WacoFan said:
Knew a guy in Houston that had a Widgeon in the 70's. Always looked big to me to have 200hp Rangers on it. And I'm not sure the props feathered. The Fantasy Island plane was a Widgeon that had 985's and that would be fun. But for a Widgeon you'd need to STC some 985's or go with the bigger flat motors (EWWWW!) I would think. Not sure - have you flown one? I love the Grumman flying boats.
Click to expand...
Got my multiengine sea in this when it was in Port Orange Fla.

www.waterwings.com

1946 Grumman Widgeon N86638 | seaplane training

www.waterwings.com www.waterwings.com
 
WacoFan said:
You are foolhardy to get a single engine airplane to fly your family around in - they are bigly dangerous.

Use the above excuse with your wife when convincing her you need to get less of a house so you can afford a real seaplane - a Grumman Goose. Do it. Be a man.
Click to expand...
Ha, to be fair I’m not sure that there exists an amphib kit for the 195- which is a shame. I really do like the way they look.
 
WacoFan said:
That sounds awesome. How did it perform?
Click to expand...
Really good. Nice to have the thrust line (and throttles) in the right place. Climb rate not stellar but then you don’t need to always aim perpendicular to the tree/shore line on a hot summer day. Parallel works just as nicely.
 
TUCKnTRUCK said:
Curious, I’ve always been a fan of the Cessna 195, and especially like to put one on floats.

The other half gave me a thumbs up, but, what are the practical limitations/ restrictions. Mostly curious about parts and this obscure radials.

I’m somewhere between and A&P in VT that owns one and Curries up in Greenville Me.

I live on 16NH - seaplane base and was casually looking at the icon A5, but it’s just not got enough space for me.

PFAView attachment 80542
Click to expand...
The Cessna 195 on floats is a dream machine, classic, rugged, and oozing character.
If you’re in love with the idea, have the budget, and can handle the occasional maintenance adventure, go for it. It’s a head-turner and a true pilot’s airplane. But if reliability, ease of maintenance, and practicality are bigger concerns, you might want to look at a float-equipped 180/185.

That said, compared to an Icon A5, a 195 is a real airplane. You’ll have way more space, better load-carrying, and a lot more soul. If you’re comfortable with vintage maintenance and aren’t in a hurry to get anywhere fast, the 195 is a phenomenal seaplane.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top