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The Cessna 308 was a prototype military light transport aircraft based on the successful O-1 Bird Dog (Cessna 305) observation aircraft. Only one aircraft was completed, and the project did not proceed further due to a lack of orders.[1]
| Cessna 308 | |
|---|---|
| Role | Military light transport |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Cessna |
| First flight | July 1951 |
| Primary user | United States Army |
| Number built | 1 |
| Developed from | Cessna O-1 Bird Dog |
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]
Data from The Cessnas that got away[1]
General characteristics
Performance
