SCCutler said:
1. A French-built 172 with big (IIRC 195hp) engine & CS prop.
It was built by Cessna's French affiliate, Reims Aviation, and introduced to the European market in 1968. Its model number was FR172 (
link to photo). It had a Rolls-Royce/Continental IO-360 rated at 210 hp, essentially the same engine as in each end of a Skymaster. None are registered in the US. In 1977, Cessna filled the niche about to be left by the Cardinal with a US version of the Rocket, called R172K "Hawk XP" (
link to photo). Probably for noise reasons the US version's engine was de-rated to 195 hp.
2. Brazilian-built Piper, but I cannot tell you more without looking it up, and Nick won't let me get away with that! ( ;-) )
Embraer has built several Piper models with very little change from the US counterparts. The Tupi is an Archer II. About the only difference I can see in photos is that the Brazilian versions kept the old-style (pre-1978) landing gear strut and wheel fairings well into the 1980's (
link to photo - note logo on tail).
3. Well, it reads like its a 300 hp Arrow with the old wings, which sounds like a good idea, but I never knew it existed, so dish it.
Very logical, but this model is a little different. Anybody else take a guess?
Hint: It has a 300-hp Lycoming, retractable gear, semi-tapered wings (contrary to the usual convention of adding a '1' to the model number for taper-wing models) ... and two seats.
4. Renamed C175, last year or two of production, w/ GO300 geared 175hp engine.
Yep. C-175/Skylark was canceled after the 1962 model year. 1963 was the first year of the 172's redesigned fuselage with rear-facing windows. For 1963 only, Cessna offered the C-175 engine and c/s prop in the 172 line, calling it the model P172D "172 Powermatic," and the deluxe version "Skyhawk Powermatic." About 65 of them were built (
link to photo).