The O-1 is a two-place observation and liaison aircraft that was widely used by the Air Force in Vietnam for forward air control duties. It was developed from the Cessna commercial Model 170 for a joint Army and Air Force competition in 1950, although the Air Force did not buy any planes at that time. Originally designated L-19, the Bird Dog was redesignated O-1 when the observation category was revived in 1962. All of the Air Force's O-1s were originally transferred from the Army. Before pilots deployed to Vietnam, they trained at Holly Field, Fla., and then underwent special in-country training at Hue, South Vietnam, at what was called FAC University or, irreverently, "FAC U." The first dedicated Air Force FAC unit to be assigned to Vietnam was the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron, which was activated at Bien Hoa AB, South Vietnam, in July 1963; three other squadrons were added later. In the high-threat environment, the slow and unarmed O-1s were eventually replaced by the O-2 in the Air Force and the OV-10 in the Marine Corps; most of the O-1s were given to the South Vietnamese Air Force. On February 24, 1967, Air Force Capt. Hilliard A. Wilbanks, a FAC, resorted to firing an M16 out of the side window of his O-1 in order to cover the retreat of a South Vietnamese Ranger battalion caught in an ambush near Dalat. Severely wounded by gunfire, Captain Wilbanks crashed in the battle area but was rescued by the Rangers. He soon died of his injuries and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. The FACs became quite knowledgeable about the area where they worked and could spot even subtle changes that could indicate the presence of Viet Cong. On April 30, 1975, Vietnamese Air Force Maj. Buong Ly avoided capture by flying himself and his family on an O-1 out to the South China Sea and successfully landing on the aircraft carrier USS Midway. This airplane is now on display at the National Museum of Naval Aviation at NAS Pensacola, Fla.
| Contractors: | Cessna Aircraft Co. |
| Locations Built: | Wichita, Kan. |
| Number Built: (USAF) | 3,431 (unconfirmed) |
| First Flight: | On or about December 8, 1950 |
| First Flight Model: | Company Model 305A |
| First Flight Location: | Wichita, Kan. |
| First Flight Pilot: | Hank Waring |
| Models/Variants: | O-1D, F, G |
| Powerplant: | One Continental O-470-11 flat-six piston of 213 hp |
| Wingspan: | 36 ft 0 in. |
| Length: | 25 ft 10 in. |
| Height: | 7 ft 3-1/2 in. |
| Weight: | 1,800 lb gross |
| Armament: | Four underwing hardpoints for white phosphorus smoke rockets; one M1911 .45-cal. pistol carried by pilot and/or one M16 7.62-mm rifle carried in the cockpit |
| Accommodation: | Pilot only |
| Cost: | $11,000 |
| Max. Speed: | 151 mph |
| Range: | 530 mi. |
| Ceiling: | 18,500 ft. |
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