N1823V – 1947 Cessna 120 – PARTner 91 Arizona Aircraft

1947 Cessna 120
N1823V

Low time classic,
gorgeous aesthetics

TTAF Airframe	SMOH Engine
5455	520
Digital logbooks are available upon request

$47,500 USD

The Cessna 120 pairs classic post-war construction and conventional gear handling with reliable Continental power, offering an authentic, economical tailwheel experience that stands out on any ramp.

As a milestone in Cessna's post-WWII lineup, the Cessna 120 brought durable, all-metal fuselage construction and functional simplicity to civilian aviation. While many trainers of its era relied entirely on tube-and-fabric upkeep, the 120’s robust aluminum structure and fabric-covered wings offer a practical design that reduces long-term maintenance. The side-by-side cabin layout and large wrap-around windshield provide excellent visibility, creating an open environment that makes classic cross-country touring a pleasure.

Underneath the Cessna 120's cowling lies an efficient powerplant: the Continental C-85 engine. This engine is regarded for its low fuel burn and excellent parts availability, keeping operational costs low. Additionally, the aircraft’s fixed, spring-steel landing gear delivers responsive handling that rewards precision and builds strong tailwheel proficiency.

For owners seeking a pure, nostalgic flying experience balanced with low and predictable operating costs, the Cessna 120 delivers a genuinely rewarding investment.

This Cessna 120 has lived in dry Arizona for many years, and has been loved and admired by a lot of people at its home airport - enough that the aircraft has been passed from one local pilot to another, and has remained in the same area for a long time. The seller has transitioned to a high performance aerobatic aircraft, so it's time to find the next caretaker for this beautiful piece of aviation history.

Please carefully review the detailed, high resolution image gallery and walkaround video below. You'll see every inch of the aircraft. If you reach out to me, I can digitally share all logbooks and important documents.

General Specifications
Cessna 120

These specs were gathered from a variety of sources, including the POH and the model-specific TCDS, and are not guaranteed.

Power - Continental C-85-12F:	85 HP	Seating:	2 seats
Service Ceiling:	15,500 FT	Airframe Length:	20 FT 11 IN
Wingspan:	33 FT 4 IN	Height:	6 FT 6 IN
Takeoff Distance (ground roll):	~650 FT	Landing Distance:	~460 FT
Cruise Speed:	~100 MPH	Max Range:	390 NM
Fuel Burn:	5 GPH	Fuel Capacity:	25 GAL
Rate of Climb:	640 FPM	Stall Speed:	<49 MPH

Numbers and Dates

Factory Test Flight:	Wichita, 1947
Factory Serial Number:	14150
Flight Rules:	VFR
Total Time on Airframe (TTAF):	5455 hrs
Engine Time Since 2014 Overhaul:	520 hrs
TBO of Continental C-85-12F:	1800 hrs
Prop Time:	Unknown
Gross Weight:	1450 lbs
Empty Weight:	968 lbs
Useful Load:	482 lbs
Next Annual Insp Due By:	Dec 31 2026
Transponder Cert (91.413) Due By:	Nov 30 2026
ELT Battery Due By:	Oct 20 2030

Aircraft Summary

Aircraft is hangared at Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (KDVT), 16 NM NNW of Sky Harbor Int'l Airport (KPHX), Phoenix, Arizona
Clean, tidy, well maintained Cessna 120, looks even better in person than in these pictures
Engine has 520 hrs since 2014 overhaul
Most recent compressions 78/79/78/71
Oil analysis history is excellent, and is available digitally along with logbooks
Engine approved for auto gas (per 337)
2013: gorgeous new paint (All Grip A1021 Silver, F5344 Blue, G3005 Clear)
2012: new windshield and side windows
2010: new interior - seats, door panels, floor carpet
1996: repair of right side empennage skin; no record of what caused the repair, but with no structural components replaced and no record of tail damage, it suggests culprit was minor
1990: recovered wings w/ Stitts Poly-Fiber 2.7 oz fabric per 337
1990: converted to Cleveland wheel and brake assembly
1957-1958: repairs to top of fuselage, tail, left wing, prop; most likely a ground loop
No NTSB accident or incident history (per NTSB databases)
Clean and complete logbooks; deep review found no noteworthy issues outside of what is noted here
All ADs complied with and documented at last annual inspection and available for review upon request
All logbooks are professionally scanned, well organized, and available upon request

Avionics and Equipment

Icom IC-A200 com radio w/ flip-flop freq display
Electric Turn and Bank Indicator
Narco AT150 transponder
PS Engineering PM1000 II intercom
Panel-mounted PTT switches
Alcor EGT gauge
4-point Hooker custom harnesses (STC)
Skytronics Jasco 50 amp alternator (STC)
Steve's Aircraft Fuel Gascolator (STC)
Oil filter adapter (STC)
Whelen LED landing lights (2)
Whelen LED nav lights
Whelen flasher (replaced original rotating beacon)
uAvionix TailBeacon ADS-B Out (STC)
Micro Vortex Generators VGs (STC)
ACK E-04 406 ELT

Above data was extracted from logbooks and other aircraft documentation, is provided to the best of seller's knowledge, and is not guaranteed. Hours are an approximation and will change as aircraft is flown.

FAA data files (complete registration history and all airworthiness history including 337s) are digitally available alongside all logbooks upon request.

Walkaround Video

Aircraft Evaluation

As the broker, I make a significant effort to represent an aircraft in as much detail as possible. I share with you not only the benefits and features I've discovered, but also the issues or concerns that I found during my extensive intake and deep logbook review process. I present dozens of detailed, high resolution images, and an extensive walkaround video. Please review this material in detail. Logbooks and other important documents are professionally scanned, well organized, and are available upon request for your review.

A broker's evaluation is never a substitute for an independent mechanic's pre-purchase inspection. Buyers are encouraged to hire their own mechanic to do a thorough inspection before completing a purchase.

Exterior - Sometimes an aircraft looks better in pictures than it does "in person". In the case of this classic Cessna 120, I think it's the opposite: this aircraft looks even better in person than it does in the pictures.

The exterior aluminum fuselage of N1823V is in great shape. During the intake process, I observed no hangar rash or hail damage. With only one very minor exception, most would agree this aircraft's exterior is "excellent". The right-side elevator has one minor dent in it - please carefully review the images below to get a close up look.

Paint on this 120 is beautiful. It was painted in 2013, but the paint looks far newer. The color combination is right-on, and the clear coat on the aluminum gives the aircraft a brilliant shine.

The fabric wings look to be in really nice condition. The recently replaced windshield and side windows are clear. The prop looks clean and in nice condition. The tires and wheel pants look clean and well cared for.

Please explore the extensive, high-resolution close-up image gallery below to verify the good overall exterior condition of this classic Cessna 120.

Instrument Panel - This classic 120 has a basic VFR panel which is largely reminiscent of its early years. It has a standard complement of avionics, alongside an Icom digital com radio with flip-flop frequency display. The panel has been well kept and is clean. The yokes and pedals are in nice shape. I was particularly intrigued with the glove compartment's spring-loaded door - it stays closed on takeoff! (I've seen too many glove compartment doors come open during takeoff)

Please refer to the "Avionics and Equipment" list above for complete details of the avionics, and to the Image Gallery below for close-up images.

Interior - Just like the instrument panel, the interior is in really nice shape. The leather/cloth seats are clean and show only a little wear. The Hooker Harness 4-point seatbelts are in good condition. The carpet, side panels, and headliner are in nice condition. The overhead skylights look great and provide nice lighting inside the cabin.