Development
Cessna 140
The Cessna 140 was originally equipped with an 85 or 90 horsepower (63 or 67 kW) Continental horizontally-opposed, aircooled, four-cylinder piston engine. This model has a metal fuselage and fabric wings with metal control surfaces. The larger Cessna 170 was a four seat 140 with a more powerful engine.
Cessna 140A
The final variant of the Cessna 140 introduced in 1949 was the 140A which had a standard Continental C90 engine producing 90 hp (67 kW), aluminum covered wings and a single strut replacing the dual "V" struts and jury strut s fitted on earlier models.
Modifications
Common modifications to the Cessna 120 and 140 include:
*"Metalized" wings, where the fabric is replaced with sheet aluminum, eliminating the need to periodically replace the wing fabric.
*The installation of landing gear extenders to reduce the tendency of the aircraft to nose-over on application of heavy braking. These were factory-optional equipment.
*Installation of rear-cabin "D" side windows on 120s that were not originally so equipped; some pilots feel that the 120's visibility to the rear is inadequate without them.
*Installation of electrical systems on 120s that were not originally so equipped, allowing owners to install an electric starter, more sophisticated avionics and/or lights for night flying.
