Following the wartime success of the Bobcat, the Cessna 120 was Clyde Cessna's first post-war design. Launched in 1946, it is a two seater powered by an 85hp engine, with a cruising speed of 100 to 115 mph and endurance of around two hours. Gross weight is 1,450lb.

Most 120s can be distinguished from 140s by the absence of a rear quarter light, but this one, pictured at Leicester in July 1980, strangely, has had it installed.

The Cessna 140 was a `de luxe' version of the 120, with the same engine and maximum weight, but internal refinements such as having an electrical system as standard. Externally they can be told apart (normally) by the rear quarter light, and the 140A (which had a stronger, aluminium wing) by the single rather than double wing strut.

This 140A was visiting Top Farm in July 2005.

The Cessna 150 was introduced in 1957, six years after production of the 120/140 series ended, so marked Cessna's re-entry into the two seater market: and what an entry - with 23,880 built (plus 7,450 of the updated 152 which followed it into production in 1977), the 150 is one of the top selling aircraft of all time. It is a small, cheap, simple all metal aircraft, structurally similar to the 140 but with a swept tail (on all but the earliest models), nosewheel undercarriage, rear windscreen and more powerful 100hp engine giving it a maximum weight of 1,500lb and cruising speed of 115mph. It is a reliable trainer. Many were built by Reims Aviation in France, several as Aerobats which are stressed for limited aerobatics.

This Aerobat was at Barton in February 1977.

The Cessna 172 (many versions of which are known as the Skylark) probably is the best selling aircraft of all time, with over 42,500 built (the latest version is still in production in 2005). Essentially a tricycle version of the 170 (which first flew in 1947), the 172 was introduced in 1955. A four seater, it is powered by a 145hp engine (though later versions have 160hp), giving it a cruising speed of 108kt and range of 540 miles. Gross weight is a useful 2,200lb. A small number had retractable undercarriage.

This one was flown by David into Wickenby in Lincolnshire in 1999.

The Cessna 175 Skylark was added to the Cessna range in 1955 to fill the gap between the relatively basic 172 and the punchier 182. It may conveniently be regarded as a `172 de luxe'. With a 175hp engine, it is heavier (2,350lb) and faster (121kt cruise) than the 172, with most other performance figures being quite similar. The gap between the two other models was not really wide enough to justify a separate model; `only' 2,190 Skylarks were built.

This one was visiting Top Farm in June 2005 (and is being admired by the alpacas!)

The Cessna 177 Cardinal marked a second attack by Cessna on the perceived space between the 172 and 182. Also a four seater, the 177 is notable in having a fully cantilever wing (note the absence of bracing strut), like the larger 210. Launched in 1967, it was initially powered by a 150hp engine, later versions increasing to 180. This gave it a cruising speed of 125mph and range of over 700 miles, with gross weight of 2,350lb (the same as the 175). About 4,295 Cardinals were built.

Most have retractable undercarriage, including this one, photographed by Ivy at Kemble in July 2005.

Initially introduced in 1952 as a four to six seat workhorse, the Cessna 180 is a serious utility aircraft. Its 225hp engine gives it a cruising speed of 150mph and range of 730 miles, with a gross weight of 2,550lb and useful load of 1,030lb. It is a popular light utility aircraft and is also extensively used for parachuting. 6,210 were built.

This one was also photographed by Ivy at Kemble in July 2005.

The Cessna 182 Skylane started life as a nosewheel version of the 180, introduced in 1956. Its 230hp engine gives it similar performance to its forebear, but is slightly heavier so gives it a little less load carrying ability. Over 21,850 182s were built over several decades, a few of which have retractable undercarriage. It is a more demanding aircraft to fly than the 172, but is a much more capable touring machine.

This one was pictured on a late Summer evening at White Waltham in July 2005)

The Cessna 185 Skywagon was developed in 1960 as a six seat version of the 180. With a 260hp engine and higher gross weight of 3,350lb, faster (160kt) cruising speed and longer (930 miles) range, the Skywagon is a real workhorse. 4,340 were built, including 480 for the US army as the U-17.

This one was at Peterborough (Sibson) in July 1976.

The Cessna 195 was introduced in 1947 as Cessna's competitor to the Beech Bonanza and North American (Ryan) Navion in the luxury touring aircraft market. A five seater, it is powered by a massive 275hp Jacobs radial engine. This gave it a cruising speed of 155mph, but range was only 640 miles - radials are thirsty! It was thus less popular than the later 210. Still, a respectable 1,095 were built, including several for the US Air Force as the C-126.

This one was at Cape May in APril 1986.

The Cessna 206 Stationair is a six seat utility aircraft introduced in 1962, broadly as a nosewheel successor to the 185. It is a six seater with a 300hp engine, giving it a cruising speed of 165mph, range of 750 miles and gross weight of 3,600lb, with useful load of 1,470lb. It is a versatile utility aircraft and has been used in many roles, including (as illustrated) a seaplane version. 7,550 were built (this figure does not include 570 of the earlier 205).

Top: Floatplane at Chilliwack in Canada in September 1981.

Bottom: Top Farm, September 2007.

The amazing fuselage extension of the Cessna 207 Stationair is clearly visible in this picture. the 207 is basically a 206, stretched to give an eight seat cabin. It first flew in 1969. It has the same 300hp engine and broadly the same performance as the 206. Although 790 were built, its forte is volume not weight: having the same engine and a bigger structure, its maximum payload is very similar to the smaller machine.

This picture was taken by David's father at Newcastle in August 1974.

Since its introduction in 1957, the Cessna 210 has been the top of Cessna's single engined range. Many people regard it as one of the best single engined aircraft ever produced, which is high praise considering that the competition includes the likes of the Beech Bonanza, Ryan Navion, Meyers 200 and Bellanca Cruisair. It is a six seater (though the two in the back must be pretty uncomfortable), powered by an engine ranging from 285 to 325hp, giving it a cruising speed of 185mph and range of well over 1,000 miles. All versions have a fully cantilever wing and retractable undercarriage. In all, 9,240 were built.

The top picture is of a standard 210 at Elstree, date uncertain. The lower picture shows a pressurised T210P at Top Farm in July 2005.