/1
The Cessna O-2A is a military version of the Cessna 337 Super Skymaster, developed for the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. Introduced in 1967, the O-2A was designed for forward air control (FAC) and reconnaissance missions. It featured a unique push-pull twin-engine configuration, with one engine in the nose and another at the rear of the fuselage. This configuration provided excellent visibility and maneuverability, which was crucial for low-level observation.
The O-2A was equipped with underwing hardpoints for marking rockets and smoke grenades to help guide strike aircraft. It also carried radios for communication with ground and air units. Its relatively low cost and ease of maintenance made it an ideal platform for FAC roles in Vietnam, replacing the aging O-1 Bird Dog.
Over 500 O-2As were built, serving primarily in Southeast Asia. After the war, many were used by Air National Guard units and later retired in the 1980s. Some O-2As found new life in civilian hands for aerial observation and firefighting support roles.
The Museum's O-2A was donated in 2014. The aircraft is unique in that it is one of the few planes in the museum’s collection that have flown in combat. From 1967 to 1969, it flew in Southeast Asia with the 504th Tactical Air Support Group and the 22nd Tactical Air Support Squadron. From 1970 to 1984, it served with the New York Air National Guard until being sent to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base for storage. In 1987, it was stricken from the Air Force inventory and registered with the FAA two years later when it became a civilian “warbird.”
The Cessna O-2A is a military version of the Cessna 337 Super Skymaster, developed for the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. Introduced in 1967, the O-2A was designed for forward air control (FAC) and reconnaissance missions. It featured a unique push-pull twin-engine configuration, with one engine in the nose and another at the rear of the fuselage. This configuration provided excellent visibility and maneuverability, which was crucial for low-level observation.
The O-2A was equipped with underwing hardpoints for marking rockets and smoke grenades to help guide strike aircraft. It also carried radios for communication with ground and air units. Its relatively low cost and ease of maintenance made it an ideal platform for FAC roles in Vietnam, replacing the aging O-1 Bird Dog.
Over 500 O-2As were built, serving primarily in Southeast Asia. After the war, many were used by Air National Guard units and later retired in the 1980s. Some O-2As found new life in civilian hands for aerial observation and firefighting support roles.
The Museum's O-2A was donated in 2014. The aircraft is unique in that it is one of the few planes in the museum’s collection that have flown in combat. From 1967 to 1969, it flew in Southeast Asia with the 504th Tactical Air Support Group and the 22nd Tactical Air Support Squadron. From 1970 to 1984, it served with the New York Air National Guard until being sent to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base for storage. In 1987, it was stricken from the Air Force inventory and registered with the FAA two years later when it became a civilian “warbird.”
