Gemini Aviation 1:72 Cessna 172 Skyhawk

The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is a four-seat single-engine, high-wing fixed wing aircraft. First flown in 1955, and still in production, more Cessna 172s have been built than any other aircraft. Measured by its longevity and popularity, the Cessna 172 is the most successful mass-produced light aircraft in history. While the first production models were delivered in 1956, as of 2008, more than 43,000 units had been built.

The Cessna 172 started life as a tricycle landing gear variant of the taildragger Cessna 170 with a basic level of standard equipment. In January 1955, the company introduced an improved variant of the Cessna 170, the Cessna 170C, powered by a Continental 0-300-A with a larger elevator and a more angular vertical tail. Although the variant was tested and certified, Cessna decided to modify it by adding a tricycle landing gear, which flew on June 12, 1955. To reduce the time cost of certification, the Cessna 170C was added to the Cessna 170 type certificate as the Model 172. Subsequently, the 172 was given its own type certificate, 3A12. The 172 became an overnight success, with more than 1,400 units having been built in 1956, its first full year of production.

This Cessna 172 Skyhawk is modeled after a Skyhawk that is used by Sporty's Pilot Shop for both recreational flying and career plot training at their flight school, located at the Clermont County Airport (aka Sport'y Airport - FAA LID: I69), in Batavia, Ohio.