The Cessna O-2 Skymaster – Vietnam War Forward Air Control Aircraft



An overview of the O-2 Skymaster featuring some places it turns up in the movies.

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Movies/Games Featured:

Bat*21 (1988)
Apocalypse Now (1979)
Project X (1987)
Battle of the Bulge (1965)

#aircraft #airforce

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30 thoughts on “The Cessna O-2 Skymaster – Vietnam War Forward Air Control Aircraft”

  1. I used to work near an airfield were there was both an O-1 and an O-2. One day both of them took off together and started flying circuits around the airfield which I quickly realised was a race between them both. Interestingly whereas the O-2 was faster on the straight the O-1 could turn faster in the corners and would catch up. Once they realised neither could win they landed again. So the O-2 would get to the target quicker but the O-1 was more agile once there and searching for the enemy.

    I did read something about loses the O-1 in Viet Nam. The most common mistake made by the pilot was making a pass which included flying over the enemy. At that point any enemy who could see the O-1 would shoot at it as once it was eliminated they could attack without interference.

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  2. battle of the bulge was horribly anachronistic film no snow big kursk like tank battle no wonder President/ General Eisenhauer disliked the movie. battle of the bulge makes me think JJ Abrams unrealistic view of WW2

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  3. when it comes to FAC aircraft of VN Era, this thing was one of my favorites because as a Boy early 70s i buyed a Airfix model of the Bird Dog.

    A vid about the Armys armed OV-1A version the JOV-1A Mohawk would be fine.

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  4. I remember back in the day, Cuban Americans bought a few of these planes and helped guide Cubans in rafts to the U.S. The Cuban government shot these planes down with Mig-29s over international waters.

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  5. I bought a 1972 CF-337 (French licensed production of the Skymaster) a few years back and this plane is incredible to fly, the windshield being a bit more forward of the wing improves visibility greatly and it's a peppy little piston at low altitude. I find it to be an absolute blast. The mechanics hate it, though.

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  6. My pops who flew planes looking for wildfires for the canadian government said these were one of his favorite planes to fly. Very easy to fly, controllable at lower speeds, and reliable.

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  7. After all these years I found the plane that supported my ARVN BATTALION THAT I WAS ADVISOR TO,MAN I TELL YOU THAT PILOT WAS A SURE ENOUGH HOT SHOT,IVE SERCHED FOR THAT AIRCRAFT MANY TIMES NEVER WAS ABLE TO PIN IT DOWN UNTIL NOW,WE WERE IN CHOU DOC SEVEN MOUNTAINS AREA, THE PLANE WAS NAVY.1970-71

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  8. I flew as a observer in the obsolete O1 Bird Dog I was always scared of ground fire, this aircraft was the modern replacement for the O-1 . The Air Force 0-2 were called Elliot and were at Kontum, I was at Dakto

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  9. Johnny I've been watching your videos for a while, interesting, entertaining & quite good; that being said, I'm a old guy, please you need to use miles vs. kilometers, mph vs. Kph feel me? In the Corps we would say, "Outfuckingstanding." Carry on.

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