The details of a 53 Cessna 170B with almost all the modifications that a 170 can have.

[@arcticcowboy8659]

Just bought a ‘53. Has a sportsman stol kit, baby bush, 31” alaska bush tires, LEDs all the way around. Absolute monster in the back country.

[@wiliam7570]

Thank you, I have a 55 170B that I purchased in 2014 and so far have put over 500 hours on it. It is very standard with the O-300A. It burns about 7.2 gph. The interior needs work and my wife often asks if I want to get a better airplane,, no, I have the perfect airplane.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

If you like it and it flies well, keep it forever. They are great planes.

[@sherrymckillop8843]

What a beautiful plane!

[@douglasrodrigues8361]

Beautiful plane. I had a 175 with the two 25 gallon tanks and the GO300 gas hog engine.. I see that your front cowl has the lower part enlarged, like I did on mine which I reinforced with three layers of fiberglass also riveted to the cowl. Since I couldn't afford to simply purchase the various modifications, I hunted around for an AVCON engine mount, then found a used O-360A1D out of a 1960 Comanchi. Did a top overhaul including rod bearings. Had to modify the air intake, and fabricate an air plenum for the oil cooler which i installed on the left firewall. Also installed an AVCON STOL kit because they were on sale at the time. Installed flap gap seals which did nothing for performance. Took the old tube radios and power supplies out...43 pounds worth, and replaced with solid state Terra radios at about 5 pounds. Installed a new LORAN, the popular thing to do back then. Had to install two new prop blades because the previous owner skipped on an earlier hub modification. The engine STC was issued to me personally. Converted main wheels to disc brakes. At about this time I ran out of money before I could do the tail dragger conversion, but even with that "training wheel" on the front, it was a fun airplane to fly. Probably would have gained 2-3mph by getting rid of that nose wheel I noticed that installing the STALL kit caused a 3mph loss of criuse speed. Further experimenting, removing the wheel pants caused a 4mph loss of cruise speed. I put the wheel pants back on. Interesting.

[@faberdonl1]

Mark, I had a 55B [the last year of the 170s]. You forgot to mention the one piece no center strip wind shield. Well done. I went from the 55 170 to a 55 180. I really considered the 180 HP Doyne conversation, but the 180 was the better choice. Don Faber

[@blancolirio]

Well done!

[@fjbtube6278]

I’ve always thought the 170B is a very beautiful airplane and you have done a great job in describing the differences between all the models. Thanks.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Thanks. It was a good opportunity because that specific 170 had ALL the mods on it.

[@cpareynaldomoreno.4325]

Congratulations on your videos, I am a private aviator pilot in Mexico

[@gringuitou22]

Like the performance gain and fuel consumption with lycoming o360.... but goshhhhhhh the sound of a c170 with the continental o300 priceless!

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

True, The 6 cylinder 145 or 0-300 is smooth.

[@stanmankovich822]

What a wonderful aircraft...we had one with the original continental back in the early eighties...definitely one of the easiest taildraggers there is to fly.. that long fuselage and wide gear makes for the gentlest of handling qualities and those 6 cylinder continentals are one of the smoothest engines I ever flown behind

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Stan, That is what my 52 was like. It got me checked out in the 180's and 185's because it was similar yet more docile to learn in. Great old planes.

[@stanmankovich822]

I went on to own a 8E luscombe and that was where my “real” taildragger education began..from there my logbook is an assortment of homebuilts that ended with a acrosport 1...loved each and every experience but that old B model still has a special place in my heart

[@rmiller640]

Nice job on the 170 Mark I take away a lot of knowledge from your videos 54 180 Guy from Bellingham

[@AlaskaTailwheel]

Thanks Mark. I love your model detail videos. You can do one for every different plane you get. I learn a new thing every time.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Glad you like them!

[@AlaskaTailwheel]

@@skywagonuniversity5023 looking forward to the C-195 video someday......when I get one, I will fly it down to you.

[@iansampson2492]

Great video! I had a project 52 B years ago that I ended up selling...As I recall part of the panel mod is installing a 180 "y" shaped yoke , removing the original "t" shaped thus allowing center stack radios....

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Thanks for the info!

[@brucer81]

Another video Mark. Thanks.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

You are welcome, BruceR! Thanks for watching!

[@MetHerInBaghdad]

Brilliant job Mark! Love your videos, and now I know more about the 170s and why the prices vary considerably.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Thanks.

[@SVSky]

I got to fly a -170B when my club had one, didn't finish the check out (because Covid) but it really was a very very nice plane. Esp for low time pilot who started off in Citabrias and finished out in -172s. Very light, fun, but still docile and friendly.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

I think I am going to do a flight review of a stock 0-300 powered 170 quite soon.

[@TGoff-fz7yh]

Perfect plane. Great review.

[@bernardanderson3758]

I would love to fly that one and it’s one out here that’s is used for people who want to get a Tailwheel endorsement

[@eplyoung]

Very informative and nicely detailed commentary. I would have loved it even more had the video been a bit brighter. It's great video, thanks.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Yes, that was not a very bright day. I'm going to do a stock 170 video quite soon.

[@rexcox8165]

very nice plane,wish I had one...

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

It’s a great plane!

[@YodpilotID]

Fantastic presentation. I have a Cherokee 180 but live adjacent to the Idaho backcountry and am limited to where I can go

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Thank you.

[@mannypuerta5086]

One of the most benign taildraggers to fly.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

We agree.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Very nice! I would love to see you do one on the progression of the Super Cub.

[@alantoon5708]

Economically now, it makes sense to rebuild older aircraft. And this preserves them for future generations of pilots...

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

True.

[@ratherbefishing4225]

Thank you, this answered many questions.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Thanks. 170's are great planes.

[@grumpyoldfart1945]

Very nice video on the 170B. Your airplane is beautiful with a great deal more mod’s than the average example. It would be interesting to see you do a video on an unmodified, “plain-jane,” C-145/O-300 equipped C170B. BTW, the ‘53B that I owned for several years had been modified with a Metco-Aire STC’d nose wheel mod on it when I purchased it; I quickly returned it to it’s original tailwheel configuration. Look forward to more of your videos.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

I should do a video on a stock one to show how classic they are. I had a 1952 170B as my first plane. N2723D

[@yuiop-y9r]

Awesome plane. I was watching for traffic the whole time though haha

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

This road goes to an area of the airport that never got past early development. The only traffic is an occasional dog walker.

[@TomasAWalker53]

@@skywagonuniversity5023 I for one have been wondering.

[@geoffgreig3269]

Very informative. Thank you!

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kitachandc-1063]

I'm Japanese, but almost 60 years ago, when I was a kid, this type of Cessna with round tails and tail wheel was sowing commercial leaflets from the sky. Looking at this aircraft, I miss it very much !!

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

They have a very classic look.

[@ben3989]

This is the best looking Cessna imo

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Classic looking.

[@vgrof2315]

A favorite plane!

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

I'm going to do a video on a new 170. Literally new. It's a long story. It's $250,000 and is stunning with a 180 HP and glass panel and every skin and rivet has been replaced with new.

[@gijacob5672]

Mark is goated

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

What is "goated"

[@19211926]

One of my favorite airplanes.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

I'm going to do a video on a standard 170 pretty soon.

[@johnbantle7004]

When I was younger I wanted a 170 very badly. Ended up with a 1947 rag wing Cessna 140 that I could afford at the time. I loved that plane, but still would like a170.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Very similar feel to the 140 and the 170. The 180 engine makes them a bit more capable though.

[@jameslake5241]

Cracking video, such great knowledge

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Much appreciated

[@xxskippernate409xx6]

This is the content that I always search for. I enjoy learning these details about the specific planes, just like you. By the way, I found the 170 video. I have another question, do you have any idea who or where to ask about seeing parts of the frame under the skin? Sorry, sir. I've had no luck. But you seemed like a good person to ask

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Not sure how I'd show you the frame under the skin.

[@xxskippernate409xx6]

I have no idea. Thanks, anyway. I'd think it would be quite a hassle if anyone with an airplane would go way out of their way show their frame, anyway. Probably one of the inspections.

[@eduardollamas588]

Beauty plane

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Thank you.

[@bernardanderson3758]

Mark this is a nice 170

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

It is absolutely gorgeous!

[@Martin-ql2bd]

Would it be possible to put a far better Rotax engine in Cessnas? An old time Aviation Mechanic did a long discussion comparison of Continental/Lycoming and the Rotax line. He was stunned how at overhaul the Rotax consistently had ZERO WEAR!

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

The rotax is far too small and underpowered for a plane like this. I know what you mean though.

[@bernardanderson3758]

Wow I knew you would not keep this one long

[@franklahaye1438]

Hello Mark ! If you ever have the opportunity I would like to hear what you have to say about the piper PA 18 Supercub ! Thanks!

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

I'll check it out!

[@Martin-ql2bd]

The US Army Bird Dog with 90deg flaps my all time favorites

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Excellent. We have a video on an L19 on this channel.

[@stubryant9145]

How crisp are the control responses? The only 180 I ever flew felt really mushy in the rudder, at least compared to the 150 TD I later flew. Part of it may have been the tailwheel. I could feel much in the 170, but the 150TD taught me to be on top of my game. It was an excellent instructor in its own right.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

They are light and nimble to fly.

[@Bryan-ws3yt]

There was a Goodyear Crosswind Landing Gear offered from Cessna, as I recall. I have never seen one , much less landed with one. The idea appeared to me as an unnecessary complication/maintenance item. Can one imagine moving down the runway in a crab position !? Never the less, I thought it was worth a mention.

[@natekick7589]

You mentioned the battery location being in the cargo area. That must be a mod for that plane as standard battery location is forward firewall. Even with the avcon conversion many kept the battery forward.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Yes, It was moved into the back. Factory is under the cowling. This plane has many mods.

[@Bob-qf4qo]

Good discription

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Thank you very much.

[@buckbuchanan5849]

Great content! Thank you.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Glad you liked it, Buck!

[@HoundDogMech]

Obviously the Battery being in the back was part of the 180 mod. The Battery on the factory O300 145HP is on the Fire well on the right side behind the motor.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Yes, correct. The battery went in the back to balance the engine conversion.

[@rauldiaz3193]

LOve these videos. Do a birdog! please.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

We have a line on a Birddog and will get that video as soon as we can!

[@WillOstrick]

Another great video guys 👍

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Thank you, Will!

[@ratherbefishing4225]

Mark! Any chance you could show us the ‘54 170B you have listed? My dream plane right there...

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Yes, we are going to do that one. It is unique and exceptional.

[@mattf49006]

awesome bird...in the mid-ish 60s my stepdad had a 2nd job at the Accuracy Gun shop in Whittier Calif ...a gentleman named Lee Crum owned it..he paid me 50 cents a hour to dust the place and pick up trash in the parking lot He owned a 170B and often flew to Alaska for hunting trips in it..last i saw it was at 430 am one early morning when my stepdad woke me to go with him taking Lee to Fullerton airport and dropping him off before a trip to AK I was a airplane crazy kid and Lee promised me to take me next time he went ...unfortunately my pops was wounded ( LEO ) and had a 18 month at home stay ...life happened and I never saw Lee again. at 65 now i'm tempted to sell the 310 and find a clean 170B for some lazy summer day flying...if anyone on the off chance knew Lee Crum or the whereabouts of his 170...hit me up

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

I learned to fly at Fullerton Airport in 1991.

[@mattf49006]

@@skywagonuniversity5023 .small world isnt it?....I learned to fly at TOA (Torrance airport ) in 1984

[@bjs2022]

“Bad sound makes good video look bad.” The distortion may be improper level settings and/or an impedance mismatch. The breath-popping and plosives is because you failed to position the mike at the side of your face or the corner of your mouth to speak across/in front of it instead of into it.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Don the Camera Guy here. Yup. We struggled with sound early on, but we've much improved since we started. I hope you'll continue to watch, especially since we have some very exciting (at least I think so) videos coming up.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Also, are you listening through ear-pieces or a speaker.

[@bjs2022]

@@skywagonuniversity5023 I am listening via an accurate, large speaker stereo sound system. I started doing professional audio and video production the late 1970s. There is also a wide difference in the quality of sound for videos recorded in flight with aviation headsets. Sometimes the Bose headsets sound good in some aircraft and then in others it’s terrible with excessive breath-popping, plosives, and sibilance. It might be an impedance mismatch in the system when the recorder is connected. I suspect that the breath-popping might be minimized with a better placement of the boom microphone. When I started flying in the 1960s Plantronics had excellent aviation headsets with an acoustical tube microphone that was placed at the corner of the mouth and you spoke across it, not into it so it was impossible to have breath-popping and plosives. The other factor is impedance matching with your recorder (usually your camera’s input but some videographers use a separate sound recorder) when you connect to the intercom but I suspect there is probably at least one aviation headset that is better than most because when you hear many different aircraft videos on KZbin there is a wide range of sound quality from both very old and new brands and models. Again, some are acceptable, some exceptionally good and too many that are terrible. The best I’ve heard are the Faro brand headsets installed in helicopters. Other commenters have said that there is a brand used in Europe that is superior but I forgot what it is.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

In our case, the microphones we were using were absolute garbage. We have upgraded and use a microphone inside the ear cup to record the flying portions. The sound there is acceptable for most situations. Probably not as good as you could do, but we're nubes. The other portions are using a very nice Rode system. - Don the Camera Guy.

[@johnvorres4351]

A very fun airplane ! I flew one while training ! My Instructor was a retired Air force Colonel ( Kernal ) and we were so light ( I was young and thin He was old and thin ! ) We were doing power on stalls and due to my lack of smoothness I flipped it upside down and went into an inverted spin at about 10,000 feet . I watched the speed increase and the altitude dissapear ! I asked the Colonel what should I do ? He claimed he did not know and every thing I tried had almost no effect . at 4000 feet I asked one more time what I should do ? He Said " let go " and the Cessna righted it self ! It was one of the Funnest days of My life !

[@didierdubreuil9000]

Hi Mark, Nice C170 B ! Very good video. I have his brother (1954) in Switzerland. Bought in Maine in 2012. Same STOL kit, Engine o360, same propeller, but C180's legs, and extend range with a rear tank 18 USG ( Not easy to fill). You can see pictures on the net : Registration is N170DG. As you say the 180's legs are hard... Soft landings mandatory. But this plane is wonderfull. In Europe Mecanics say the wing is from C172. Is it true ? Best Didier Dubreuil

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Thanks for sharing

[@keithtaylor1409]

Correction. The 170b was produced until mid 1956. I have one of the last ones built.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Correct. 56 is the last year of the 170B

[@kevingrosshandler5308]

Are you familiar with any maintenance providers that could install a float kit on a 170?

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

I think you would have to ask around in Alaska.

[@m.mustapha794]

👍👍👍👍

[@reggierico]

Hi Mark, Great post, as usual. I saw a 1952 170B on Trade a Plane with a 220 hp Franklin six cylinder engine w/constant speed prop. Do you like that engine/ configuration? Wonder what the useful load would be with the extra power?

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

We had one of those here. It was allover yellow with that same Franklin engine. Great performer but no extra useful load even though it would carry weight more easily. The Gross weight does not go up so a heavier engine may actually use up some useful load.

[@davidfisher2589]

The earlier 170’s didn’t have a counter weighted elevator either and the 48’s didn’t have a dorsal fin.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

True. Yes the 1951 and olders have a 140 like tail no dorsal.

[@tomjoseph1444]

Our 170B we had in the 70's had 172 wings (originals damaged in a storm) and the droop tips. Stock 145 Hp and it would cruise at 120 KPH.

[@robinj.9329]

It's kind of sad that Cessna has never built an "Upgraded or Modernized" 170. A 180 or 200 h.p. engine with constant speed prop. A little faster and able to haul a bit more. We sure could use one out on the ranch.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

The liability of a new taildragger is too much for Cessna.

[@robinj.9329]

@@skywagonuniversity5023 Thank You for that reminder! I'm nearly 70 and had my training in late 60's and early 70's. I insisted that my first 200 hours be in tailwheel aircraft! Guess I tend to forget that, and this is unfortunate, most of today's young people are never fully trained as "Aviators"! But seem content to just reach the level of "Airplane Driver"! And, of course, today's culture of; "It's never my fault! The manufacturer screwed up!" With the Lawyers, Judges and Juries to match! So very sad, actually. For out of the way grass airstrip, there is nothing like a tailwheel aircraft!

[@Kurban.karimov-cr1mb]

Хороший,боевой,развед-самолёт!

[@mark1avia]

A “plane”...is a woodworking tool ....A Cessna 170 B is an Airplane....

[@tender771]

dumb people make dumb comments

[@bernardanderson3758]

What’s the asking price on it Mark

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Bernard, It's $95,000 but I already have a buyer.

[@ratherbefishing4225]

Hey Mark, could you put out some info on the C-175 sometime? I’m specifically interested in common engine conversion options, saw a couple for sale with O-470s

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

We make videos of airplanes as they come in. Or, if we know someone with an exceptional model of an aircraft. We'll keep our eyes open for a C-175 and if we find one, we'll make that video for you!

[@josesbox9555]

Friend of mine has one of these. Skis and big tires. It is almost a super cub and the approach speeds are crazy slow. They are going for idiotic money these days. Great airplanes though.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Not as much as a 180 HP 172, but yes they have increased in demand a lot due to rarity.

[@josesbox9555]

@@skywagonuniversity5023 That is very true. I was shocked at how well the 180hp 170 performed as a back country airplane. It’s the airplane Cessna should have built I think.

[@cpareynaldomoreno.4325]

No Fly today?

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Didn't really need to on that one.

[@TomasAWalker53]

Way to hide the lead. I had a feeling listening to you that you have more than a passing interest in the 170s. I could hear admiration for the plane in your voice. lol. It's on my list of aircraft to own but in many cases, it costs as much as a 180.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Thank you. Surprisingly, we have had very few 170's over the years. In a total of about 2000 planes since 1990, probably only five 170's. and one was mine. They are getting rare and not nearly as many were made as 180's back then.

[@a627m1124]

Sell her ?

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Yes.

[@tbagwell]

Made the extra effort for a mic and now the video is unwatchable

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

What is it doing. Thousands of other viewers have not said anything.

[@bjekve]

What a beautiful plane!

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

It really is!

[@FlightSimDude]

👍👍👍👍👍