Taken from Northwest Airlines History Center
Cessna had developed the T-50 as a 3-passenger mini airliner in the late 1930s, but it likely would have been a forgotten experiment if not for the training and light-transport needs of the U.S. Army during World War II. Over 5,000 frames were built and hundreds were made available after the war to civilian operators. Their radial engines were easy to maintain, and the lightweight framing of steel tubing, wood stringers, and fabric covering allowed for slow takeoff and landing speeds. It was a versatile and easy-to-fly aircraft that helped start many carriers in the 1940s and 1950s.
Northwest
NWA maintained one Bobcat at its St. Paul base during WWII for catch-all duties – “survey and training” as marked on its sides. It never carried passengers or handled civilian business.
https://northwestairlineshistory.org/aircraft-cessna-t-50-bobcat/