The Cessna L-19/O-1 Bird Dog was developed as a light liaison and observation aircraft with a 2 man crew. First flight of "model 305" was December 1949. The Lycoming O-540 with 250 hp engine or Continental O-470 engine of 213 hp were mostly installed on the L-19A (O-1A) and L-19E (O-1E). The OE-2 (O-1C) first flew in 1954 and was a redesign with different stabilizers and a new cockpit. The engine was now a Continental O-740 engine of 265 hp. Also armour was installed and small armaments could be carried and fired.
From 1962 the type was used in the Vietnam war for many duties, including forward air control (FAC) directing faster attack aircraft. More than 3,400 aircraft were manufactured, also in license by Fuji Japan. It was also widely exported and used in civil use. Many are now still used for private flying.
Cessna L-19 Bird dog
This aircraft was seen at Nellis, Nevada USA. It has a Vietnam grey scheme
Photographed 2015 by Cees Hendriks (C) Copyright IPMS Nederland
Cessna L-19 Bird dog
This aircraft was seen in the USA and has a scheme for a L-19 as used by Austria.
Photographed 2015 by Cees Hendriks (C) Copyright IPMS Nederland
L-19A Bird dog
This privately owned aircraft numbered "112129" was seen at Chino. Its scheme is a bit fantasy but it shows wonderful details.
Photographed 2015 by Cees Hendriks (C) Copyright IPMS Nederland
OFFICIAL USAF COLOUR INFORMATION O-1
from USAF handbook Technical order TO 1-1-4. Collection M. de Vreeze (used with permission)
Standard System colour numbers refer to the Federal Standard system with 5 digit numbered colours. Deviations on real aircraft may occur.
In 1/72 scale there was first an old Airfix kit and now Special Hobby. In 1/48 scale Hasegawa issued a kit. Roden released a 1/32 kit end 2016.
This walk around web page was first created September 2015 by M. de Vreeze