Cessna R172J Mystery plane

[Eric Brown]

Was reviewing the Cessna 175 TC sheet. It seems Cessna built only one R172J model, listed as s/n P17257189, which is one s/n beyond the last P172C. This airplane is on the current register as N1909F as a 1963 model, but with an airworthiness issue of 1974. The TC sheet also shows this airplane as a 1974 model. Cessna Service News Letter (SNL94-6), page 17, lists the R172J as s/n R1720559 and later became s/n 680. It also lists the airplane as a 1973 model as the R172J proto-type.
Anyone have any info on the anomaly ?

[Hal Bryan]

Would that have been a prototype for the Hawk XP? Or any relation to the Reims FR172J Rocket?

[martymayes]

http://porterstudioshamilton.com/aboutus/cessna172xpforsale.html

I know that airplane....scroll down the ad to history.


BTW, the 172 "J" designation was planned to be a cantilever wing airplane but it was changed at the last minute to a different model number. We know it as 177.

[Eric Brown]

Interesting. I wonder if this airplane was used as the 180 HP version of one of the (3) Cessna models offered to the military in 1964 that eventually became the T-41? This would be the only R172 to carry a P172 s/n. And how does this fit with the different s/n given in Cessna SNL94-6 ?
Major changes to make a 1974 model would include converting to tubular landing gear legs, new wings with LE cuffs, dorsal fin, instrument panel. Others ? And if Cessna issued a new Airworthiness Certificate in 1974, why retain the original s/n ?
Not making a big deal. Just things that come to mind.

[martymayes]

That airplane may have been the testbed airframe for the tubular landing gear, LE cuffs, dorsal fin, etc. I would guess that until 1974, it was operated with an experimental R&D certficate. When Cessna was ready to dispose of the plane, a company insider probably figured his boys at the Wallace Division could bring it into conformity for a standard A/W certificate, then he could buy it and take it home. At one time, Wallace Division had it's own experimental aviation dept with real "airplane guys" who could build/modify/customize anything. They built a number of one-off airplanes and some of those products ultimately ended up in private hands.

For my dream plane I'd like to go dumpster diving at Cessna and find one of these: Would that be cool to have or what? Could one-up the L-39 guys!