The Cessna 120-140 Association Forum

I’m wondering if anyone has run into the major difference between the manufacture date on a C120/140 data plate and the paperwork that was filled out at the factory. Our 120 shows a manufacture date of 8-9-46 on the data plate (S/N 12695). However, the paperwork from the FAA shows its first W&B, application for airworthiness, and first flight are all on 2-12-47.

My guess is that the data plate was put on a fuselage on 8-9-46 but they didn’t complete the aircraft until the following February. Does this sound right to you all?

Tony Becker

Do you have the FAA records CD? That should include the original form A-309. The top line on Page 1 should show the "Date Mfrd" Month and Year (Oct 1946 for mine, SN 10503). The form is signed and dated on the bottom of page 1, October 3, 1946. Your Serial number (12695, later than mine) and Date mfrd (8/9/1946, earlier than mine) don't seem to be consistent.

I don't have it in front of me, but I recall the date on the data plate is at least close to 10/3/46.

Do you have the original first log book? What does it say?

My 120 is SERNO 9666. Data plate is a replacement and does not state manufacture date, but dollars to doughnuts it's early August.

ACA-309 filed August 15, 1946, Mfg date of "Aug 1946"
First flight August 16, 1946

So that combination of date and serial number for yours does seem odd. The factory was clearly humming in those years so it seems odd to have fuselages just sitting around.

The ACÁ-305 and ACÁ-309 both say date of manufacture is “February 1947” and were both signed on February 12, 1947. What we can’t reconcile is the data plate with a date of manufacture of August 9, 1946 (8.9.46). Perhaps one day we’ll have a time machine and will get it all straightened out.

Tony

Do the SN and registration number on the ACA-309 both match your records? Could your data plate be a replacement? Post a picture of the plate.

Data plate attached. Every bit of paperwork, and the data plate, says S/N 12695. I guess it could be a replacement data plate, but it looks legit.

Tony