Rick Mohr Comments on the Cessna 195
I sold the C-180 that I’d had for so long, and modified so much. I guess some folks thought I’d never get rid of that old bird. It kinda shocked ‘em when I did, and a few have asked me about it. The choice may have been a ‘no-brainer’, but there wasn’t a simple explanation.
From the first time I saw a 195 over 25 years ago, I've lusted after one.
It's got to do with the overall impact; the 'curb appeal', if you will.
The plane sits proud; tail low, radial engine and huge prop/spinner held high.
It's the stance of a hairy-chested tail dragger, with the curvaceous lines and severely sloped windshield of a mid-thirties air racer. The big round tail feathers evoke the golden era of flight as well.
This all makes sense when you consider that indeed it was the outgrowth of a mid-thirties design, which just happened to be produced until 1954.
In flight, with its tapered wing and rounded wingtips, it's got one of the prettiest plan forms in the general aviation fleet. To my mind, only a Hawker Sea Fury has a prettier silhouette, and that's a close run thing. And what a great sound; it’s like nothing else.
The bonus to all this is that it's a very comfortable cross country airplane that more than holds it's own when judged against nearly all of the 'modern' designs out there.
Airspeed, climb rate, fuel burn, range, and cargo capacity are all very competitive if not superior.
You swing open the big door and watch the step automatically extend, climb in and walk forward to the front office, sit down in the left seat, roll down the window, shout out 'CLEAR!', and listen to 755 cubic inches slowly rumble to life.
Then you compare the cavernous interior room, and the comfortable, relaxed environment of sitting on big overstuffed chairs, flying behind a slow turning radial engine... well there really is no comparison.
It's as fast as my old hot-rodded C-180. It holds more fuel & burns less of it per hour, so it has more range. And it's MUCH more comfortable. Plus although the engine has a lower TBO (time before overhaul) it's more durable and dependable, and much tougher to bring to a halt. This inspires confidence when crossing the mountain ranges of the West as I do so often.
When you add in that aforementioned curb appeal, and it was a no-brainer.
Man, this thing's got STYLE! And it's practical!
My C-180 had gone up in value a lot since I bought it. When it reached a point where its value matched the going price for a 195... I was an owner!
Any further questions?
Good. I think I'll go to the hanger.
Rick Mohr
N3011B, "Winston"