Cessna O-2 Skymaster

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cessna_O-2_Skymaster

The Cessna O-2 Skymaster (nicknamed "Oscar Deuce") is a military version of the
Cessna 337 Super Skymaster, used for forward air control (FAC) and psychological
operations (PSYOPS) by the US military between 1967 and 2010.

In 1966 the United States Air Force (USAF) commissioned Cessna to build a
military variant to replace the O-1 Bird Dog and the O-2 resulted.

As with the civilian version, the Skymaster was a low-cost twin-engine
piston-powered aircraft, with one engine in the nose of the aircraft and a
second engine in the rear of the fuselage. The push-pull configuration meant a
simpler single-engine operating procedure due to centerline thrust compared to
the common low-wing mounting of most twin engine light planes, and also allowed
for a high wing, providing clear observation below and behind the aircraft.

Modifications made for the military configuration included installation of
single seating fore and aft (i.e. two tandem seats available for pilot and
observer, vs. 6 seats available in the civilian version); installation of view
panels in the doors (for improved ground observation); installation of
flame-retardant foam in the wing-mounted fuel tanks (slight increase in empty
vehicle weight; 3% reduction in available fuel capacity); installation of
military communication and navigation equipment in lieu of available civilian
equipment and antennas; deletion of propeller spinners; increased gross weight
(5,400 lb vs. 4,400 lb in civilian version), with component strengthening as
required to support the increase; and deletion of interior upholstery.

The first O-2 flew in January 1967 and the plane went into production shortly
thereafter. Performance (especially at cruising altitudes) was degraded due to
the added antennas and significant weight increase, but was considered
sufficient for the anticipated low-level operation.


Role
Observation aircraft

National origin
United States

Manufacturer
Cessna

First flight
January 1967

Introduction
March 1967

Retired
2010 (United States)

Status
Limited service

Primary users
United States Air Force (historical)
Botswana Air Force
Salvadoran Air Force

Produced
1967–1975

Number built
532

Developed from
Cessna Skymaster

The USAF took delivery of the O-2 Skymaster in March 1967 and the O-2A also
entered the U.S. Army's inventory during 1967, from USAF stock. By 1970, a total
of 532 O-2s had been built, in two variants, for the USAF.

During the Vietnam War, the O-2A was introduced as a replacement for the O-1
Bird Dog, in the forward air control (FAC) aircraft and served in that role with
the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron. The O-2B was equipped with loudspeakers
and a leaflet dispenser for use in the psychological operations (PSYOPS) role.

While it was intended that the Skymaster be replaced in the FAC mission by the
OV-10 Bronco, the O-2A continued to be used for night missions after the OV-10's
introduction, due to the OV-10's high level of cockpit illumination, rendering
night reconnaissance impractical. The O-2 was phased out completely after
additional night upgrades to the OV-10.

A total of 178 USAF O-2 Skymasters were lost in the Vietnam War, to all causes.

Following the Vietnam War, the O-2 continued to operate with both U.S. Air Force
and Air National Guard units into the late 1980s.

CAL FIRE

In the mid 1970s, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or
CAL FIRE, found that the contractor-owned air attack aircraft, mostly
single-engine Cessna 182s and Cessna 210s, did not provide the airspeed and
safety needed for the department's new air tanker program. In 1974, Senior Air
Operations Officer Cotton Mason inspected 40 USAF O-2s at Davis-Monthan Air
Force Base. The best 20 were selected and shipped to Fresno, California. These
aircraft had been FAC aircraft in Vietnam and were shipped back to the United
States in containers, and were disassembled and on pallets when they arrived at
Fresno. A crew of California Conservation Corps (CCC) members under the
supervision of a CDF Battalion Chief, who was an FAA Certificated Mechanic with
Inspection Authorization (IA), reassembled the aircraft.

They were placed in service in 1976, and served CAL FIRE for more than 20 years,
until replaced by a fleet of OV-10 Broncos.

Specifications (O-2)

General characteristics
Crew: 2 - Pilot and Observer
Length: 29.75 ft (9.07 m)
Wingspan: 38.17 ft (11.63 m)
Height: 9.17 ft (2.79 m)
Wing area: 202.5 ft² (18.81 m²)
Empty weight: 2,848 lb (1,292 kg)
Loaded weight: 5,400 lb (2,449 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × Continental IO-360C six-cylinder flat engines, 210 hp (157 kW)
each

Performance
Maximum speed: 200 mph (322 km/h)
Range: 1,325 mi (2,132 km) combat
Service ceiling: 18,000 ft (5,490 m)
Wing loading: 26.67 lb/ft² (130.2 kg/m²)
Power/mass: 12.86 lb/hp (7.82 kg/kw)

Armament

Guns: SUU-11/A Minigun Pod
Hardpoints: Four MAU-3A bomb racks
Rockets: LAU-59/A Rocket Launcher, MA-2/A Rocket Launcher
Bombs: SUU-14/A Bomblet Dispenser





*