O-1 Bird Dog

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L-19/O-1 Bird Dog
The O-1 Bird Dog
Type	Observation aircraft
Manufacturer	Cessna
Primary users	United States Air Force United States Army
Developed from	Cessna 170

The Cessna L-19/O-1 Bird Dog, was the first all metal fixed wing aircraft ordered for and by the US Army, since the US Army Air Force separated from the army in 1947, becoming its own branch of service, the United States Air Force. The US Army was searching for an aircraft that could adjust artillery fire, as well as perform liaison duties, and preferably be constructed of all metal, as the canvas covered Liaison airplanes used during WWII had a short service life. In 1950, the US Army found a civilian light plane that fit their needs perfectly, a Cessna 170. With modifications to fit the needs of the military, the Cessna 170, was used by the US Army, designated the (Liaison) L-19, fighting its first war in Korea from 1950 through 1953. It was developed as the winner of a 1950 competition for a new two-seat, single-engine observation plane.

Contents 1 History 2 Operators 3 Specifications (T-41C) 4 References 5 External links 6 Related content

[edit] History

The Defense Department ordered 3,200 L-19s that were built between 1950 and 1959. The planes were used in various utility roles such as artillery spotting, front-line communications, medevac and training. In 1962 the army L-19 was redesignated the O-1 (Observation) Bird Dog and entered its second war in Vietnam. During the early 1960's the Bird Dog was flown by South Vietnamese airmen (ARVN-Army Republic Vietnam/SVAF South Vietnamese Air Force), US Army aviators, and clandestine (Ravens) aircrews. In 1964 the Department of Defense (DOD) issued a memorandum directing that the US Army turn over their "Fixed Wing" O-1 Bird Dogs to the US Air Force, while the army began its transition to a "rotor-wing" force (helicopters). The US Army was allowed to retain some O-1 Bird Dogs for artillery observation (spotting/forward air control) until the new army helicopters entered service. All previous operators mentioned above, including the US Army, continued using the O-1 Bird Dog throughout the war, however the bulk of the O-1s were operated by the US Air Force from 1964 until the end of the war in 1975 (flown primarily by South Vietnamese airmen in 1975). During the Vietnam War, the planes were used for reconnaissance and forward air control. Supplementing the O-1, then gradually replacing it, was the USAF O-2 Skymaster which entered Vietnam in the mid 1960's. The last US Army O-1 Bird Dog was officially retired in 1974.

The L-19 received the name Bird Dog as a result of a contest held with Cessna employees to name the aircraft. The winning entry, submitted by Jack A. Swayze, an industrial photographer, was selected by an U.S. Army board. The name was chosen because the role of the army's new airplane was to find the enemy and orbit over them until artillery (or attack aircraft) could be brought to bear on the enemy. While flying low and close to the battlefield, the airplane would observe the exploding shells and adjust the fire via his radios, in the manner of a bird dog (Gun dog) used by game hunters.

During the course of the Vietnam War, 469 O-1 Bird Dogs were lost to all causes. The USAF lost 178, the USMC lost 7, and 284 were lost from the US Army, South Vietnamese Forces, and clandestine operators. Three Bird Dogs were lost to enemy surface to air missiles (SAMs). The first aircraft from the 20th TASS (Tactical Air Support Squadron) was flown by LTC Lester E. Holmes (USAF), and was shot down on May 22, 1967, he did not survive. The second Bird Dog was shot down on May 14, 1972 near An Loc, South Vietnam, while flying a FAC mission. The aircraft was identified as USAF, but the pilot, who survived, and his unit were not identified. The third aircraft lost was shot down by a SA-7 missile near the town of Phum Luong, just inside Cambodia, on July 2, 1972. The aircraft was identified as USAF, and there were some reports that the pilot had survived, but there was no other information available. ^[1]

In Canada, the Royal Canadian Air Cadets also use L-19 aircraft equipped with a towing rig to tow their Schweizer 2-33 gliders for the Air Cadet gliding program.

[edit] Operators

•  Austria
•  Canada: Air Force, Army
•  Chile
•  France
•  Indonesia
•  Italy
•  Japan
•  Malta
•  Norway
•  Pakistan
•  Republic of Korea
•  South Vietnam
•  Thailand
•  United States: US Air Force, US Army, US Marine Corps
•  Vietnam: Vietnam People's Air Force (captured South Vietnamese aircraft)

[edit] Specifications (T-41C)

L-19 Bird Dog
Description
Role	Forward air control and reconnaissance
Crew	2 - pilot and observer
Dimensions
Length	25.83 ft	7.87 m
Wingspan	36 ft	10.97 m
Height	9.17 ft	2.79 m
Wing area	173.94 ft²	16.16 m²
Weights
Empty	1,614 lb	732 kg
Loaded	2,400 lb	1,008 kg
Powerplant
Engines	One Continental O-470
Power	213 hp	159 kW
Performance
Maximum speed	150 mph	241.4 km/h
Combat range	530 mi	853 km
Service ceiling	20,300 ft	6,200 m
Rate of climb	1,040 ft/min	317 m/min

Data from Global Security^[2]

General characteristics

• Crew: 1-2
• Length: 26 ft 11 in (8.21 m)
• Wingspan: 35 ft 10 in (10.92 m)
• Height: 8 ft 10 in (2.69 m)
• Wing area: 159 ft² (14.8 m²)
• Empty weight: 1,363 lb (618 kg)
• Loaded weight: 2,300 lb (1,043 kg)
• Powerplant: 1× Continental IO-360-D , 210 hp (160 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 125 knots (144 mph, 232 km/h)
• Range: 626 nm (720 mi, 1,159 km)
• Service ceiling: 17,000 ft (5,180 m)
• Rate of climb: 880 ft/min (4.47 m/s)

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• International Bird-Dog Society
• Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum
• Warbird Alley
• Standard Aircraft Characteristics: O-1C (Navair Publication)
• International Liaison Pilots and Aircraft Ass'n (ILPA)

[edit] Related content

Related development

• Cessna 170
• Cessna 172
• T-41 Mescalero

Comparable aircraft

• Stinson L-13

Designation sequence

• Pre-1962 US DoD:
  • L-18 - L-19 - L-20
• Post-1962 US DoD: O-1 - O-2 Skymaster - YO-3 - ZO-4 Wren