The Cessna 120 and the Cessna 140 are single engine, two-seat, light general aviation aircraft that were first produced in 1946, just following the end of World War II. Production ended in 1950, and was later succeeded by the Cessna 150, a similar two-seat trainer which introduced a tricycle gear. Between the 120 and the 140, Cessna sold 7,664 airplanes in the five years that the aircraft were produced.

Development

Cessna 140
The Cessna 140 was originally equipped with an 85 or 90 horsepower (63 or 67 kW) Continental horizontally-opposed, aircooled, four-cylinder piston engine. This model has a metal fuselage and fabric wings with metal control surfaces. The larger Cessna 170 was essentially a four seat 140 with a more powerful engine.

Cessna 140A
The final variant of the Cessna 140 introduced in 1949 was the 140A which had a standard Continental C90 engine producing 90 hp (67 kW), aluminum covered wings and a single strut replacing the dual "V" struts and jury struts fitted on earlier models.

Cessna 120
The Cessna 120 was an economy version of the 140 produced at the same time. It had the same engine as the 140, but did not have wing flaps. The cabin "D" side windows and electrical system (radios, lights, battery and starter) were optional.

Modifications
Common modifications to the Cessna 120 and 140 include:
- "Metalized" wings, where the fabric is replaced with sheet aluminum, eliminating the need to periodically replace the wing fabric.
- The installation of landing gear extenders to reduce the tendency of the aircraft to nose-over on application of heavy braking.
- Installation of rear-cabin "D" side windows on 120s that were not originally so equipped; some pilots feel that the 120's visibility to the rear is inadequate without them.
- Installation of electrical systems on 120s that were not originally so equipped, allowing owners to install more sophisticated avionics and/or lights for nighttime flying.

Type clubs
The Cessna 120 and 140 are supported by a number of Aircraft Type Clubs, including the International Cessna 120-140 Association and the Cessna Pilots Association.

Specifications (Cessna 140 & 120)

General characteristics
- Crew: one pilot
- Capacity: one passenger
- Length: 21 ft 6 in (6.6 m)
- Wingspan: 33 ft 4 in (10.25 m)
- Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.92 m)
- Wing area: 159.3 ft² (15.1 m²)
- Airfoil: NACA 2412
- Empty weight: 770 lbs (Cessna 120) 890 lbs (Cessna 140) (349 kg (Cessna 120) 403 kg (Cessna 140))
- Loaded weight: 1,450 lb (658 kg)
- Useful load: 680 lbs (Cessna 120) 560 lbs (Cessna 140) (309 lbs (Cessna 120) 255 lbs (Cessna 140))
- Max takeoff weight: 1,450 lb (658 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Continental C85-12 , 85 hp (63 kW)
- Usable Fuel: 22 gals (2x 12.5 gal tanks)

Performance
- Never exceed speed: 122 knots (140 mph)
- Maximum speed: 109 knots (125 mph 203 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 94 knots at 75% power (108 mph, 174 km/h at 75% power)
- Stall speed: 39 knots (45 mph, 72 km/h)
- Range: 395 nm at 55% power (455 mi, 732 km)
- Service ceiling 15,500 ft (4,700 m)
- Rate of climb: 680 ft/min (209 m/min)
- Wing loading: 8.68 lb/ft² (42.4 kg/m²)
- Takeoff ground roll: 500 ft (154 m)
- Landing ground roll: 230 ft (70 m)
- Endurance: 3.8hrs at 65% power (with 1hr reserve)
- Fuel consumption: 4.2 to 4.8 gph (55% to 75% power)