1940 Cessna 165

Wilco Aviation is pleased to offer this 1940 Cessna C-165 Airmaster, registration G-BTDE, currently based at Enstone airfield in England and available to view by appointment.

The Cessna Airmaster is a single-engine aircraft that helped revive the Cessna Aircraft Company during the 1930s, following the aviation industry’s collapse in the Great Depression.

Designed by Dwane Wallace, nephew of founder Clyde Cessna, the first model—C-34—flew in June 1935. Wallace soon took over the company after Clyde’s retirement. The original C-34 evolved into the C-37 and C-38, which featured wider cabins, improved landing gear, and electric flaps. The final versions, C-145 and C-165, had extended fuselages and more powerful Warner radial engines, with the C-165 using a 165 hp version.

Production of the Airmaster ended in 1941 due to World War II. Its fabric-covered fuselage, wooden wings, and radial engine construction became obsolete as aluminium aircraft with strut-braced wings emerged. The Airmaster’s design originated in 1934 and was based on the earlier Cessna AW. It achieved racing success in the 1935 and 1936 US National Air Races and helped keep Cessna in business after its reformation in 1933. The C-165 was the final evolution, with key improvements such as hydraulic brakes, wing flaps, and a stretched fuselage. Only 38 were produced before the line ended.

G-BTDE, built in 1940 and imported to the UK in 1991, features a one-piece wooden cantilever wing with electric split flaps and no dihedral. The flaps provide drag only, and the steel-tube fuselage houses a full-swivel tailwheel requiring differential braking. Brakes are fitted only on the left (pilot) side and are operated via combined heel brake and stirrup rudder pedals.

Visibility is limited in the three-point attitude. The engine is a 165 hp Warner Super Scarab with seven radial cylinders, zero-timed by Vintech in 2012 and last inspected in 2024.

G-BTDE is the only airworthy Airmaster in the UK, with around 15 flying globally. Documentation on the type is scarce, and while Cessna still holds a Type Certificate Data Sheet, no Airworthiness Directives have been issued in over 50 years. The aircraft is on a UK National ARC but could be transferred to an LAA permit if desired. It is available to inspect and test fly by appointment.

This aircraft has 3,326 airframe, with 210 hours on the engine since overhaul and 55 hours on the two-blade fixed-pitch Curtiss 55518 propeller. It has a UK Certificate of Airworthiness, is maintained in the UK, and has valid annual inspection and NARC until May 2026.

Avionics include VFR capability with a Trig TY91 8.33 kHz COM and FUNKE TRT800A Mode S transponder. The engine’s TBO is 1,000 hours with no calendar limit. The ignition harness has been replaced, a new battery recently installed, and the flap motor was overhauled in 2024. The aircraft is always hangared and comes with Cambrai covers.

Maximum take-off weight is 2,350 lbs (1,066 kg), with an empty weight of 1,739 lbs (789 kg), giving a useful load of 611 lbs (277 kg). Fuel capacity is 52 US gallons across three tanks, providing up to 5.5 hours’ endurance at 120 KIAS, though such range is rarely required in the UK. The interior seats four and was refurbished in 2021. The exterior is finished in striking red and was fully restored and recovered in 2021.

Total fuel 52 USG (197 lts)

120kt cruise

Interior: Maroon leather

Exterior: Red with Blue trim

Trig TY91 Transceiver (8.33 spaced)

FUNKE TRT800A (Mode S) Transponder

Air Speed Indicator (ASI)

Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI)

Direction Indicator (DI)

Attitude Indicator (AI)

Altimeter

RPM Gauge

Turn Coordinator

Exhaust Gas Temperature gauge (EGT)

Oil Temperature gauge

Oil pressure gauge

Suction gauge

Ammeter

NAV lights

Compass

External cover

Electronic flaps

Interior - 8/10

Exterior - 10/10

Year: 1940

Make: Cessna Aircraft Company

Model: C-165 Airmaster

Reg Number: G-BTDE

Aircraft Type: Single Engine Fixed Wing

Airframe Hours: 3326 (+/- 5hrs)

Engine Make: Warner Scarab 165

Engine Hours: 210 SMOH (+/- 5hrs)

Engine Overhauled: 2012

Prop Make: Curtiss 55518

Prop Hours: 55 (+/- 5hrs)

Annual: 12/05/2026

NARC Valid Till: 12/05/2026

Empty Weight: 789 kgs (1739 lbs)

MTOW: 1066 kgs (2350 lbs)

Price: £120,000.00 GBP

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