Cessna 310

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cessna_310

The Cessna 310 is an American six-seat, low-wing, twin-engined monoplane that
was produced by Cessna between 1954 and 1980. It was the first twin-engined
aircraft that Cessna put into production after World War II

The 310 first flew on January 3, 1953 with deliveries starting in late 1954. The
sleek modern lines of the new twin were backed up by innovative features such as
engine exhaust thrust augmenter tubes and the storage of all fuel in tip tanks
in early models. In 1964, the engine exhaust was changed to flow under the wing
instead of the augmenter tubes, which were considered to be noisy

The 310G was certified in 1961 and introduced the canted wingtip fuel tanks
found on the majority of the Cessna twin-engined product line, marketed as
'stabila-tip' tanks by Cessna because they were meant to aid stability in
flight. A single side window replaced the rear two windows on the 310K
(certified in late 1965), with optional three-blade propellers being introduced
as well.[5] Subsequent developments included the 310Q and turbocharged T310Q
with a redesigned rear cabin featuring a skylight window, and the final 310R and
T310R, identifiable by a lengthened nose containing a baggage compartment.
Production ended in 1980

In 1957, the United States Air Force (USAF) selected the Cessna 310 for service
as a light utility aircraft for transport and administrative support. The USAF
purchased 160 unmodified 310A aircraft with the designation L-27A and
unofficially nicknamed Blue Canoe,[6] later changed to U-3A in 1962. An
additional 36 upgraded 310 designated L-27B (later U-3B) were delivered in
1960–61; these aircraft were essentially military 310Fs and as such equipped
with the more powerful 260 hp (194 kW) engines and can be identified by their
extra cabin windows, longer nose and swept vertical fin. A USAF study after one
year of operational service found the U-3A had direct operating costs of less
than $12 an hour.[7] Some USAF aircraft were later transferred to the US Army
and US Navy and the type continued in US military service into the mid-1970s.

Specifications (1956 model 310)

General characteristics
Crew: one
Capacity: four passengers
Length: 27 ft 0 in (8.23 m)
Wingspan: 35 ft 0 in (10.67 m)
Height: 10 ft 6 in (3.20 m)
Empty weight: 2,850 lb (1,293 kg)
Gross weight: 4,600 lb (2,087 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × Continental O-470-B horizontally opposed piston engines, 240 hp
(180 kW) each

Performance
Maximum speed: 220 mph (354 km/h; 191 kn)
Cruise speed: 205 mph (178 kn; 330 km/h)
Range: 1,000 mi (869 nmi; 1,609 km)
Service ceiling: 20,000 ft (6,096 m)
Rate of climb: 1,700 ft/min (8.6 m/s)





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