Cessna 308

Model 308
Role	military light transport
National origin	USA
Manufacturer	Cessna
First flight	July 1951
Number built	One
Developed from	Cessna 305

The Cessna 308 was a prototype military light transport aircraft based on the successful Cessna 305 observation aircraft. Only one aircraft was completed and the project did not proceed further, due to a lack of orders.^[1]

Development

The Cessna 308 was conceived as an enlarged model 305 that would carry four people for the military light transport role and was developed in response to a US Army requirement.^[1]

The resulting design was first flown in July 1951. While the aircraft was based on the model 305, it incorporated a four-place cabin similar to the then current production Cessna 170. The prototype was powered by a Lycoming GSO-580 geared, supercharged, eight cylinder engine, producing 375 hp (280 kW). The prototype featured a 47 ft (14 m) wingspan, taildragger landing gear and a 4,200 lb (1,905 kg) gross take-off weight. In trials the 308 proved capable of operating from rough fields carrying a 1,000 lb (454 kg) payload, with a range of 695 nmi (1,287 km).^[1]

The US Army chose the de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver for the intended light transport role putting it into service as the L-20A. As a result, development of the Cessna 308 was not continued beyond the completion of a single prototype.^[1]

Specifications (Cessna 308 prototype)

Data from The Cessnas that got away^[1]

General characteristics

• Crew: one
• Capacity: three
• Payload: 1000 lb (454 kg)
• Length: ()
• Wingspan: 47 ft (14 m)
• Height: ()
• Loaded weight: 4200 lb (1905 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 4200 lb (1905 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming GSO-580, 375 hp (280 kW)

Performance

• Range: 695 nmi (1287 km)
• Power/mass: 11.2 lb/hp (0.15 kW/kg)

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} Murphy, Daryl (2006). "The Cessnas that got away". http://www.wingsoverkansas.com/features/article.asp?id=461. Retrieved 2008-12-22. 

External links

• Cessna 308 photo