Cessna
O-1 / L-19
Birddog
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Photo: Robert Deering 6/15/2013
Denton Municipal Airport (DTO)
Denton, Texas

Photo: Robert Deering 10/28/2016
Executive Airport (RBD)
Dallas, Texas

Photo: Robert Deering 6/28/2010
USS Midway Museum
San Diego, California

Photo: Robert Deering 4/18/2015
National Museum of Naval Aviation
Pensacola, Flor
ida

Photo: Robert Deering 1985
National Museum of the USAF
Dayton, Ohio
The O-1G was a two-place observation and liaison aircraft developed from the commercial Cessna Model 170 in 1949. Originally designated L-19s, Bird Dogs were used by the U.S. Air Force, Army and Marine Corps for such tasks as artillery spotting, front-line communications, medical evacuation and pilot training.

In Southeast Asia, the O-1s became a USAF forward air control aircraft. A forward air controller (FAC), often an experienced fighter pilot, flew in a specific geographical area so that he could readily identify enemy activity. If a controller observed enemy ground targets, he marked them with smoke rockets for attack by fighter-bombers. The FAC remained on the scene to report bombing results.

The single-engine O-1 was slow and vulnerable to enemy fire. This, along with its limited range and small payload, led to its eventual replacement by the twin-engine O-2 Skymaster and OV-10 Bronco.

The USAF ordered more than 3,200 Bird Dogs, most of which were built as L-19As between 1950 and 1959. The O-1G on display was transferred to the museum in 1971.
SPECIFICATIONS: PERFORMANCE:
Span:  36 ft. Maximum speed:  150 mph
Length:  25 ft. 10 in. Cruising speed:  115 mph
Height:  9 ft. 2 in. Range:  530 miles
Empty Weight:  Service ceiling:  20,300 ft.
Gross Weight:  2,400 lbs. loaded  
Crew:  Two
Engines:  213-hp Continental O-470
Armament:  Generally none except smoke rockets
   
SOURCE:  National Museum of the United States Air Force