The Cessna 120-140 Association Forum

I think the following is correct
Serial number 8001-13399 Straight Gear legs with 1/4” holes.
Serial number 13400-14306 Straight Gear legs with 5/16” holes
Starting with Serial number 14163 reinforcements were added to the gear box
Part numbers 0411503; 0411503-1; 0411504;0411504-1
Serial number 14307 & Up Swept forward gear

I am looking at a 1947 Cessna 140 with a serial number quite a bit less than 14307 that has the swept forward gear legs. Therefore, I assume that it does not have the gear box reinforcements.

Is it OK to put these gear legs on airplanes with a serial less than 14307?
Would these put the same torque on the gear box that wheel extenders do?

I have quite a few hours in a 140 with the straight gear, but none in one with the swept forward gear. Is there much difference in ground handling or wheel landings?

Thanks

flybuoy wrote: ↑Sun Feb 08, 2026 1:11 pm

I have quite a few hours in a 140 with the straight gear, but none in one with the swept forward gear. Is there much difference in ground handling or wheel landings?

Thanks

Can't help you with the serial number progression question, but did think that the sweep started in mid-'47. They seem to land about the same, but the ones with the forward swept gear are a little less nose tippy, which I think was the purpose. In either, it's very important to avoid using braking inadvertently or excessively. Use the mindset that the brakes are primarily for taxiing around. The cast pedals also make a 120 seem tippier since the pivot point for the brake actuation is lower down. But those too were gone I think by 1947. They sure look nice!