"Bamboo Bomber" Cessna UC78 / T-50 Bobcat

Big Sky’s Latest Adventure: a “Bamboo Bomber!”

One of the most intriguing small multi-engine airplanes that were produced in great numbers is the Cessna T 50 Bobcat. It incorporates the “look” that a vintage radial multi-engine aircraft should have. It has a pugnacious little nose with a serious greenhouse cockpit office behind it. Twin, fire-breathing Jacobs 245 HP radial engines mounted on a clean lower wing and fuselage with a retractable landing gear tail-dragger stance. It has a roomy, 5-person cabin offering a comfortable ride at a breathtaking 140 mph.

Cessna built the first examples before WWII as a business/feeder airline aircraft. As WWII absorbed general aviation, many hundreds were produced as a multi-engine trainer for future bomber pilots. The airplane earned the nickname “Bamboo Bomber” because of its one piece, 42’ wooden wing. Its military designation was UC 78 known also as the “useless 78” because of its limited performance and application.
After WWII hundreds of examples were sold for surplus to civilian owners. Because of its size most would not be hangared; the elements quickly reduced the population. At this time, there are very few airworthy examples.

Big Sky has acquired a derelict “Bamboo Bomber” with the intentions of replacing the wooden components of the aircraft. Our specialty has been the restoration of wooden winged aircrafts. The Cessna T 50’s 42’ wooden wing is just about the ultimate challenge for the “little guy” shop.

If other owners of derelict T 50’s are interested in following our progress or having us help them with their owner produced wooden wings, please feel free to communicate. One thing is for sure, though, there will no longer be any “cheap” Bamboo Bombers!