Cessna 400 series (rectangular windows)

Cessna 402B/C, 404 & Reims F406

In 1973 Cessna made a significant change to the model 402B, at least from an appearance point of view: it got rectangular cabin windows instead of oval ones. For the rest the aircraft remained the same. It formed the basis for some other members of the 400 series twins, all with similar cabin windows. The original oval cabin window versions are described separately.

Externally, the main difference between the original Cessna 400 series and the later models are the rectangular cabin windows.

Different versions

The different versions of the Cessna 400 series with rectangular cabin windows can be distinguished by:

the length of the fuselage
the presence of tip tanks
the shape of the engine nacelles
the shape of the horizontal stabilisers

Cessna 402B Utililiner/Businessliner

The first Cessna twin with rectangular cabin windows was essentially the same as the Cessna 402B with oval cabin windows. So it has tip tanks.

The tip tanks are the way to recognise the Cessna 402B from other versions with rectangular cabin windows.

The Cessna 402Bs have the same non-geared engines and large cockpit side windows (typical for a non-pressurised fuselage) as the ones with oval cabin windows.

Cessna 402C

The Cessna 402C is based on the late models 402B, so with rectangular windows, but has no tip tanks. The wings are similar to those of the Cessna 414A and 421C, as is the higher vertical stabiliser.

The Cessna 402C has clearly no tip tanks, which is the easiest recognition point, but also a higher vertical stabiliser than the 402B.

Cessna 404 Titan

The Cessna 404 is a stretched version of the Cessna 402B/C, with six rectangular cabin windows. It has geared piston engines (so with a higher drive axis and prop spinner), horizontal stabilisers with dihedral and a sharp, pointed nose. There were three different versions, Titan Ambassador (passenger), Titan Courier (convertible pax/freight) and Titan Freighter (pure cargo). On the outside they appear the same.

Remarks: The US military designation is C-28 and the Swedish military used it as Tp87.

The Cessna 404 is longer than the 402C, has six cabin windows and horizontal stabilisers with dihedral.

The Cessna Titan has the same engines as the Cessna 421C as shown here. These are geared and the drive axis lies somewhat on top of the nacelle.

Reims/Cessna F406 Caravan II

Based on the Cessna 404 Reims Aircraft of France developed the Caravan II, which is basically a Cessna 404 with turboprops. It also has a more blunt nose, which makes it look like a Cessna 441. However, the cabin windows of the latter are smaller and more separated. The horizontal stabilisers are attached to the vertical stabiliser, making it a cruciform tail.

The Caravan II was the ultimate Cessna twin, but was produced by Reims Aviation of France. Cessna does not even own the type certificate.

The cruciform tail of the Cessna F406 is another feature that clearly distinguishes it from other Cessna 400 series twins.

Caravan IIs have turboprop engines with an air intake below the spinner and exhaust at the side of the nacelle.

Confusion possible with

Cessna 400 series with oval cabin windows

The Cessna 400 series twins with oval cabin windows can be considered as most likely source for confusion. But on the other hand exactly the cabin windows are a clear recognition point.

Cessna 441 Conquest II

They look a lot like each other, but still the differences are big when you know them. The Conquest II has a single engine exhaust at the rear of the nacelle, rounded rectangular cabin windows and horizontal stabilisers with dihedral attached to the rear fuselage.

Fuji FA-300/Rockwell Commander 700

Especially the Reims/Cessna F406 has a cruciform tail like the Commander 700, but the latter has the horizontal stabilisers without dihedral. Also the cabin windows are nearly square, the main gear retracts forward in the nacelles and the nose gear forward. Other Cessna twins of the 400 serie have even fewer features in common.