A replica of Clyde Cessna's first aircraft is…

CC1

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$200
FOR A CESSNA Phillip Martin says:-
Yes, that is right. If you want a Cessna for
$200, all you have to do is follow these simple
instructions. Of course we do not guarantee that it
will fly, but you could mount it in your front yard.
Staff of Ross Aviation Facilities, Parafield,
have a mascot of which they can be justifiably proud.
They have a full scale replica of Clyde V. Cessna’s
first aircraft in their sales department. The replica,
built in Ross Aviation’s workshops is the first to be
built outside the U.S.A.
For several months Ross Tilly, Ross
Aviation’s Sales Manager, and his staff have been
planning to build the replica. Only recently was the
plan fulfilled. At a cost of a little under $200,
excluding engine, four employees supervised by
foreman Gordon Lewis built the aircraft in just eight
working days.
Hannan Bros., an Adelaide engineering firm,
lent a 25 h.p. Anzani engine. This particular engine
was originally installed in the first aircraft to fly in
Australia – a Bleriot monoplane in 1910 near
Adelaide. Because of the historical significance of
this engine it is not possible to flight test the aircraft
in which it is now installed. Cessna’s original
aircraft was powered by a 40 h.p. Anzani but to the
time of writing Ross Tilly has not been able to obtain
one.
The undercarriage wheels were manufactured
from specifications by Super Elliott Cycles Ltd. also
of Adelaide. Part of the main wheels are made from
trotting gig parts.
CC-1, as the replica was christened by Ross
Aviation staff, is a faithful reproduction of the
original airframe, apart from some minor
modifications for improved flight safety. Some of the
modifications were those made by Cessna on his later
machines. The rudder has been slightly redesigned to
make it more responsive. The surface area remains
unchanged. To improve durability aluminium square
tubing has replaced the original wooden framework.
7
The wire fuselage braces were tightened by the
conventional fencing method. As a farmer by
profession, Clyde Cessna undoubtedly would have
used a similar method.
Flight control is maintained by means of
flexible mainplanes and elevators. By flexing the
control surfaces air is “spilt out”, increasing or
decreasing lift as required. The rudder unit
comprises the whole fin. A unique feature with early
aircraft is the fully flying tailplane.
CC-1’s older brother was first flown on
August 11th 1911 at Enid, Oklahoma, U.S.A. Clyde
Cessna had been so enthused with aviation’s
potential that within four months of watching a
Bleriot monoplane display he was ready to test his
own aircraft. The Bleriot actually formed the basis
of Cessna’s flying machine. It took him thirteen
attempts to get airborne. The original aircraft,
subjected in the years following its first flight, to
many modifications, has disappeared. Only one
other replica has been built and that is displayed at
the Kansas offices of the Cessna Aircraft
Corporation.
CC-1 TECHNICALSPECIFICATIONS
Length: 22 feet. Wing Span: 22 feet.
Height 7 ft. 6”.
Wing Area (approx.): 130 sq. ft.
Power Plant: 25 h.p. Anzani
Airscrew: Two bladed, wooden 5 feet diameter.
Undercarriage: 18” diameter main wheels.
20 x 1⅜”pneumatic tyres.
Metal tail skid.
Fuel: Petrol in two half gallon tanks.
Australian Flying – February 1967

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Image courtesy of Mike Milln- latest newsletter
The B/W image came with the material we received on its construction, so would have to assume it was taken by a member of ROSS Aviation (ROSSAIR).

Here a shot I took in October 2016 and clearly some ‘age’ in some of the structure.

Mark

This is not a flyer. The aircraft was gifted to the museum in 2015. It was built in 1965 from memory and displayed at the Parafield airshow and was fitted with a 3 cyl Anzani. This Anzani was procured from Hungary last year and is non operational. Due to where it is going to be displayed, engineering changes are being made and where necessary, parts replaced.

great work, will it fly ?

Been thinking I should pop in and see what they were all doing. Looks good.

Steve