Description

Series production of the L-19/O-1 Bird Dog began at the end of 1950. It was delivered to army aircraft and training departments, and also to units of the U.S. Marine Corps. In training units they were used for instrument training of pilots in flight conditions. The first experience of the O-1 in combat conditions was during the Korean War, where it excelled as an operational trainer, using light munitions. Their main task was the marking of targets for other, more powerful strike planes using unguided rockets. The O-1 was also used with great success during the Vietnam War for reconnaissance, as an artillery spotter, convoy escort, communications plane and also for light strike. Despite the emergence of more modern aircraft which performed the same military functions, the O-1 remained in front line service because of its unique characteristics, especially the ability to take off and land on smaller and unprepared airfields. Its military career officially ended only in 1974, when a formal decision was adopted to exclude the O-1 from combat operations. After that time a small number of O-1s were used in civil air patrol service, while others were sent for scrap or resold to private owners.