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 Photo: Robert Deering 6/28/2010 USS Midway Museum San Diego, California |
| The O-1 Bird Dog is a two-place all-metal, wing observation, reconnaissance, liaison aircraft with tandem seating. Developed for the Army after WW II, the Bird Dog (originally designated by the Army as the L-19) was Cessna’s winning design competition entry in April 1950. The Army accepted some 3,430 0-1A’s and E’s by March 1964 with the USMC using 0-1B’s and 0-1C’s. Later, the USAF utilized F’s and G’s in Vietnam for forward air controller missions. Nineteen other countries also purchased this versatile aircraft. The structurally stronger T0-1D served as the Army’s instrument trainer version in having a variable pitch propeller and an instrument panel in the rear. The latter could be enclosed for hooded flight.
SPECIFICATIONS: Span: 36 ft. Length: 25 ft, 10 in. Height: 7 ft, 4 in. Empty wt: 1,614 lbs. Gross wt: 2,430 lbs. Fuel: 40 gal. Engine: One Continental 0-470-11 piston engine rated at 213 horsepower. Propeller: McCauley fixed pitch, two bladed metal propeller. PERFORMANCE: Max speed (SL): 101 knots. Cruising speed (SL): 100 knots. Stalling speed: 86 knots. Service ceiling: 18,500 ft. Endurance: 4.67 hours. Rate of climb: 1,040 fpm. |
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| Bibliography: Army Aviation History Web Site |