I worked on these OEs (O1-C) in the USMC at VMO-6 at Camp Pendleton, Calif. and VMO-2 at Camp Futima, Okinawa. I was able to "rig" one of these birds in only 8 hours--- guess who got stuck with this jog then on? The only major damage I experience with these "Eye-in-the-Sky" aircraft was when a typhoon twisted several of these birds in Okinawa. The only difference between this aircraft and the ones I worked is the color and USMC markings.
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O-1/L-19 Bird Dog Details
Aircraft/Missile Information
General characteristics
* Crew: 2 * Length: 25 ft 9 in (7.85 m) * Wingspan: 36 ft 0 in (10.97 m) * Height: 7ft 3½ in (2.22 m) * Wing area: 174 ft² (16.16 m²) * Empty weight: 1,614 lb (732 kg) * Max takeoff weight: 2,400 lb (1089 kg) * Powerplant: 1× Continental O-470-11 flat six piston, 213 hp (159 kw)
Performance
* Maximum speed: 130 mph (209 km/h) * Range: 530 miles (853 km) * Service ceiling 20,300 ft (6,200 m) * Rate of climb: 1,040 ft/min (317 m/min)