Cessna 188 Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Cessna 188 AG series

Cessna A188B-300 AGtruck
Role	Light agricultural airplane
Manufacturer	Cessna Aircraft Company
First flight	February 19, 1965
Introduction	1966
Produced	1966–1983
Number built	3,976

The Cessna 188 is a special type of small airplane. It was built to help farmers with their crops. This plane was made by the Cessna Aircraft Company. They produced these planes from 1966 to 1983.

The Cessna 188 family included several versions. These were called the AGwagon, AGpickup, AGtruck, and AGhusky. There was also an AGcarryall version. These planes were all part of Cessna's line of aircraft for farming.

Building the Cessna 188
Different Versions of the Cessna 188
Where to See a Cessna 188
Images for kids
See also

Building the Cessna 188

In the early 1960s, Cessna wanted to make planes for farming. They already made many types of small aircraft. To design the best plane, they asked pilots and farmers what they needed.

The result was a simple, single-seat airplane. It had one engine and low wings. This design was perfect for agricultural work.

The Cessna 188 used many parts from another plane, the Cessna 180. For example, it used the same tail and engine. The engine was a 230 horsepower (170 kW) Continental O-470-R. Most of the plane was made from a strong type of aluminum. The special tank for chemicals was made from fiberglass.

The first Cessna 188 flew on February 19, 1965. It was approved for production in February 1966. In its first year, 241 planes were delivered.

The design of the Cessna 188 was very good. It stayed mostly the same for 17 years. Only the engines and the systems for spraying chemicals were updated.

Most Cessna 188 planes were used for farming. But some were also used to tow gliders and sailplanes. In total, 3,976 Cessna 188 planes were built. This included 53 AGpickups, 1,589 AGwagons, 1,949 AGtrucks, and 385 AGhuskies.

Different Versions of the Cessna 188

The Cessna 188 came in several models. Each one had slightly different features.

188 AGwagon 230: This was the first version. It had a 230 horsepower (170 kW) Continental O-470-R engine. It could carry 200 US gallons (760 liters) of chemicals. This model was approved on February 14, 1966.

1971-built Cessna A188A AGwagon used as a sailplane tug in Minden, Nevada.

188A AGwagon "A" and "B": These versions also had the 230 horsepower (170 kW) Continental O-470-R engine. They carried 200 US gallons (760 liters) of chemicals. They were approved on September 26, 1969.

Cessna 188 AGWagon spraying crops in Canterbury, New Zealand, 1979.

188B AGpickup: This model used a 230 horsepower (170 kW) Continental O-470-R or O-470-S engine. It also had a 200 US gallon (760 liter) chemical hopper. It was approved on December 20, 1971. Production of this model stopped in 1976.

A188 AGwagon 300: This version had a more powerful 300 horsepower (220 kW) Continental IO-520-D engine. It could carry 200 US gallons (760 liters) of chemicals. It was approved on February 14, 1966.

A188A AGwagon "A" and "B": These models also had the 300 horsepower (220 kW) Continental IO-520-D engine. They carried 200 US gallons (760 liters) of chemicals. They were approved on September 26, 1969.

A Cessna A188B-300 AGtruck in Steinbach, Manitoba, May 1988.

A188B, AGwagon "C" and AGtruck: These planes used a 300 horsepower (220 kW) Continental IO-520-D engine. They had a larger hopper that could hold 280 US gallons (1,060 liters). They were approved on December 20, 1971. The AGwagon "C" production ended in 1981, and the AGtruck in 1985.

T188C AGhusky: This was a powerful version with a turbocharged 310 horsepower (230 kW) Continental TSIO-520-T engine. It also had the larger 280 US gallon (1,060 liter) hopper. It was approved on September 8, 1978. Production ended in 1985.