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July 18-19th – Janesville, WI

Cessna UC-78 “Bobcat”

Four vintage World War II-era aircraft fly in formation over a green landscape. The lead plane, painted olive drab with a yellow stripe and marked 332549, is followed by three other historic aircraft in silver and olive drab liveries, showcasing classic U.S. military aviation.
A vintage UC-78 WASP aircraft with U.S. military markings flies low over a scenic coastal landscape at sunset. The plane has a dark green and yellow-striped livery with the tail number "332549." Below, rolling green fields dotted with hay bales stretch toward a winding river that meets the ocean. The golden light of the setting sun casts long shadows across the terrain.
A vintage World War II-era military aircraft with U.S. markings and tail number 332549 is shown in flight against a blue sky with scattered clouds. The plane features olive drab coloring, twin engines, and a distinctive yellow stripe on the fuselage.

We are honored to showcase the Cessna UC-78 “Bobcat”, a historic aircraft used by the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) during World War II.

Originally built as the Cessna Model T-50 in 1939, this twin-engine trainer was adopted by the Army Air Forces as the AT-17 and UC-78 for multi-engine pilot training. It helped prepare pilots to fly legendary aircraft like the:

  • C-47 Skytrain
  • B-25 Mitchell
  • B-24 Liberator
  • B-17 Flying Fortress
  • B-29 Superfortress

The “Bamboo Bomber”

Nicknamed the “Bamboo Bomber”, the UC-78 was built using non-strategic materials, featuring a fabric-covered steel fuselage and wooden wings. (Despite its nickname, it contained no bamboo and was never used as a bomber.)

Between 1939 and 1945, Cessna produced over 5,400 units for the U.S. Army Air Forces and Navy.

Specifications:

  • Engines: 2x Jacobs R-755-9 seven-cylinder engines (245 HP each)
  • Top Speed: 175 MPH
  • Range: 750 miles
  • Ceiling: 15,000 ft
  • Wingspan: 41 ft 11 in
  • Length: 32 ft 9 in
  • Height: 9 ft 11 in
  • Max Weight: 5,700 lbs

The WASP & the UC-78

The WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) used the UC-78 for training, with as many as 40 Bobcats stationed at Avenger Field in 1943.

After WWII, many UC-78s were lost due to their delicate materials, and today, only five airworthy UC-78s remain in the world.

We are proud to have this rare and historic aircraft on display! Be sure to visit and learn more about its important role in aviation history.

About the National WASP WWII Museum

The National WASP WWII Museum honors the trailblazing women who played a crucial role in military aviation history.

The museum’s mission is to inspire future generations through:

  • Permanent exhibits showcasing the history of the WASP program.
  • Educational outreach programs that bring their inspiring story to new audiences.

We are grateful to the National WASP WWII Museum for preserving this important history.

🔗 Learn more about the museum at: https://www.waspmuseum.org/