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Special Announcement

The museum is closed September 11 to October 6 with special programming in place. Learn more.
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Ingenium Canada Aviation and Space Museum

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Cessna Crane

Hours and Location

Closed September 11 to October 6
Address
11 Aviation Parkway, Ottawa, ON
Admission
Browse all Visitor Information for Canada Aviation and Space Museum
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Cessna Crane

Cessna Crane

Highlights:

  • A five-seater, twin-engine, small transport monoplane made by U.S. Cessna Aircraft Company, Inc. from 1939 to the early 1940s
  • During the Second World War, the RCAF received 826 Cranes to instruct students of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan's Service Flying Training Schools (SFTS)
  • After the war, sold as surplus in Canada and the U.S. and used in light transport
  • Known as "the Wichita Wobbler," "the Bamboo Bomber" and, in U.S. service, as "the Bobcat"
  • First flight was in March 1939

Image Gallery:

Cockpit, CASM-28202

CASM-28202

CASM-15048

CASM-15048

CASM-15043

CASM-15043

History:

The Crane was developed as an inexpensive utility transport. In 1940 the RCAF ordered Cranes to supplement the Avro Anson for training pilots on twin-engine aircraft. It is said that this order ensured Cessna’s survival. The RCAF received a total of 826 Cranes, all of which operated as pilot trainers in Western Canada. The type continued in the RCAF service until 1947, after which many were sold to private operators.

The Crane had many nicknames, including “Wichita Wobbler”, and “Bamboo Bomber”. In American service it was called the “Bobcat”. The Jacobs radial engines were referred to as “Shakey Jakes”. Even though the Crane was not an ideal training aircraft, due in part to its poor single-engine performance and load-carrying capability, it adequately filled the training needs of its time.

Current Location:

Reserve Hangar, Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Provenance:

Transfer from the Royal Canadian Air Force

This Crane was manufactured by Cessna Aircraft Company, Inc., at Wichita, Kansas in 1941. It was delivered to the RCAF in January 1942 and served initially with No. 15 SFTSl in Claresholm, Alberta and later with No. 12 SFTS in Brandon, Manitoba. It was loaned to Prairie Airways Limited of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan at the end of June 1943. The aircraft was stored until selected for display in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba in June 1946, and from 1950 to 1962 it was stored in Macdonald, Manitoba.

In April 1962 the Crane was part of an Air Force Day display in Ottawa. It was shipped to the RCAF's historic aircraft collection at Rockcliffe airport in 1964, and transferred to the Museum in January 1965.

Technical Information:

Wing Span 12.8 m (41 ft 11 in)
Length 10 m (32 ft 9 in)
Height 2.8 m (9 ft 4 in)
Weight, Empty 1,587 kg (3,500 lb)
Weight, Gross 2,313 kg (5,100 lb)
Cruising Speed: 266 km/h (165 mph)
Max Speed 298 km/h (185 mph)
Rate of Climb 365 m (1,200 ft) /min
Service Ceiling 5,490 m (18,000 ft)
Range 1,207 km (750 mi)
Power Plant two Jacobs L-4MB, 225 hp, radial engines

Cessna Crane plan

AVIATION
Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Artifact No.
1967.0646
Manufacturer
Cessna Aircraft Company Inc.
Manufacturer Location
United States
Manufacture Date
1941
Acquisition Date
1964
Registration Number
8676 (RCAF)
  • View all the collection highlights at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum
  • View other collection highlights related to Aviation

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About Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Located on a former military air base just five kilometers from the Prime Minister’s residence at 24 Sussex Drive in Ottawa, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum focuses on aviation in Canada within an international context – from its beginnings in 1909 to today.
Read more about the museum

Contact Us

Canada Aviation and Space Museum
11 Aviation Parkway
Ottawa ON K1K 2X5
Canada

613-991-3044
1-866-442-4416
contact@IngeniumCanada.org
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  • Plan Your Visit
    • Browse All Visitor Information
    • Buy Tickets
    • Admission
    • Hours
    • Location and Directions
    • Accessibility
    • Health and Safety
    • About the Museum
  • What's On at the Museum
    • Events
    • Exhibitions
    • Flights and Simulations
    • Spaces and Studios
  • Bookings and Rentals
    • School Programs
    • Summer Camps
    • Venue Rentals
    • Travelling Exhibitions
    • Virtual Field Trips
    • Group Visits
    • Birthday Parties
  • Educational Programs
    • School Programs
    • Virtual Field Trips
    • Program Location
      • At the Museum
      • At your School
      • Online
      • Browse all Educational Programs
    • Popular Links
      • 3D Educational Resources
      • Digital Learning Kits
      • Games and Apps
      • Online Resources for Science at Home
      • Try This Out
  • Collection and Research
    • Research Institute
    • Research Projects
    • Collection Resources
      • Ingenium Collection
      • Collection Highlights
      • Conservation and Collection Services
    • Library and Archives
      • Library and Archives Services
      • Library Catalogue
      • Digital Archives
    • Open Access
      • Ingenium APIs
      • Open Data
      • Open Documents
  • Projects and Initiatives
    • Ingenium Channel
    • The Legacy Series
    • Let's Talk Energy