The Cessna 310 was introduced in 1954. During its 27-year production run, steady improvements ran the alphabet from the 310A to the 310R from 1975 to 1981. Over 5,400 310s were built during that time. The 310 started with a 240 hp Continental and eventually ended up with a pair of 285 hp Continentals. A Cessna T310 turbo had the turbocharged version of the same engine.
Speed was part of the 310's selling point. Early models cruised near 175 knots and later models up to 190 knots. The cabin is comfortable. Payload will vary with the model (fuel loads varied) and optional equipment installed.
One oddity is that the main tanks are the tip tanks, not the wing tanks. This has lead to confusion when refueling and subsequent fuel exhaustion of the “mains” with fuel in the auxiliary tanks.
For a few years, Cessna sold a 320; however, this was nothing more than a turbocharged 310. The 320 was dropped in 1968 and replaced a year later by the Cessna T310.
The Cessna 310Q has a lengthened nose with baggage compartment and is powered by two IO-470-VO engines.