I'm looking at trading my Super Cub for a Cessna 180. A couple of weeks ago a flew a 1956 model. Although not as good as my 170, the view over the nose especially while on the ground, was much better than I thought it would be. I'm told there was a year Cessna went to a taller panel. Does anyone know what year it was? I'm now steering toward a 1958 model for a couple of reasons. There also seems to be a different look between 1958 and 1959 panels.

Thanks!

Steve

Cabinflyer, Serial number 50356(1959) is the first of the bigger instrument panels in 180's according to my parts manual.

Thanks Marty.

The 58 and 59 panels definitely look different. On the late 70's and 80's planes you can clearly see the taller panel and the modern basic T instrument layout. I see a lot of people have done a very nice job of modifying these older panels to replicate center stack radios and stuff. I wonder if the 59 panel is the same height as say the 81 model.

From what I've read maybe the 57-58 might be the best of the older planes. (but that can be another thread)

There was not only a change in the instrument panel, but also a change in the control column behind the instrument panel. A Y type control column is necessary to do a real center stack radio install. That's a big deal.

The Y type columns became standard in the later airplanes.

Lots of information on these airplanes on Joe Stancil's site, here:

http://www.skywagons.com/skywagons.html

MTV

My parts manual covers 1953 though and including 1962. The same control column is used, so the Y or more U shaped column that Mike talks about allowing a deep center stack came sometime after that. The later column can be bought from Avion to retro the early 180's.

My Dad and I just bought a 54 with an Avion panel, the visibility is very good. I am not sure what all was changed, but the updated panel layout is very nice compared to the original.

There is a pic of it in my photo gallery.

Lance

When I look out the windshield in my 73 185 on the ground in a 3 pt attitude what I see is the nose of the airplane, not the top of the instrument panel. In flight the view over the nose is much better as the pitch angle on the ground is about 12 degrees and in flight at cruise is probable 2 to 4 degrees, but it is still the nose of the airplane which restricts forward vision. I don't know, but the difference in early verse latter airplanes may be more in the shape of the forward edge of the cowl, rather than the height of the instrument panel

Tim