Cessna O-2 Skymaster

File:67-21300 Cessna O-2A Skymaster, pic2.JPG

In 1966, the United States Air Force (USAF) commissioned Cessna to build a military variant of the Model 337 Skymaster to supplement the Cessna O-1 Bird Dog in the role of forward air control.{{Cite web |title=Cessna O-2A Skymaster |url=https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/196063/cessna-o-2a-skymaster/https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/196063/cessna-o-2a-skymaster/ |access-date=2024-07-23 |website=National Museum of the United States Air Force™ |language=en-US}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

Both the civilian and military Skymasters were low-cost twin-engine piston-powered aircraft, with one engine in the nose of the aircraft and a second in the rear of the fuselage. The push-pull configuration provided centerline thrust, allowing simpler operation than the low-wing mounting of most twin-engine light aircraft, and allowed a high wing to be used, providing clear observation below and behind the aircraft.

Modifications made for the military configuration included fore-and-aft seating for a pilot and observer, instead of the six seats of the civilian version; installation of view panels in the doors (for improved ground observation); installation of flame-retardant foam in the wing-mounted fuel tanks (slightly increasing weight, and reducing maximum fuel capacity by 3%); installation of military, rather than civilian, communication and navigation equipment and antennas; removal of propeller spinners; increased gross weight (5,400 lb vs. 4,400 lb in civilian version), with component strengthening as required to support the increase; and removal of interior upholstery.

The O-2 first flew in January 1967, and the plane went into production shortly thereafter in March. Performance (especially at cruising altitudes) was degraded due to the added antennas and significant weight increase, but was considered sufficient for the anticipated low-level operation.

{{More citations needed section|date=July 2022}}

File:O-2 Skymaster.jpg

The USAF took delivery of the O-2 Skymaster in March 1967 and the O-2A also entered the U.S. Army's inventory during 1967, from USAF stock. By June 1970, when production stopped, a total of 532 O-2s had been built for the USAF.

During the Vietnam War, the O-2A was introduced as a replacement for the O-1 Bird Dog, in the forward air control (FAC) aircraft and served in that role with the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron. The O-2B was equipped with loudspeakers and a leaflet dispenser for use in the psychological operations (PSYOPS) role.

While it was intended that the Skymaster be replaced in the FAC mission by the OV-10 Bronco, the O-2A continued to be used for night missions after the OV-10's introduction, due to the OV-10's high level of cockpit illumination, rendering night reconnaissance impractical.{{cite web|url=http://www.ov-10bronco.net/faq.cfm#29|title=What is the Pave Nail system?|access-date=3 May 2010|author=The OV-10 Bronco Association|date=March 2002}} The O-2 was phased out completely after additional night upgrades to the OV-10.{{cite web|url=http://www.covey-fac.com/history/COVEYs%20in%20Southeast%20Asia.pdf|title=COVEYs in Southeast Asia|access-date=3 May 2010|last=Skutack|first=Daniel|date=February 2003|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708195929/http://www.covey-fac.com/history/COVEYs%20in%20Southeast%20Asia.pdf|archive-date=8 July 2011}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=304|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080801213153/http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=304|url-status=dead|title=Fact Sheets: Cessna O-2A Skymaster, Cessna O-2A Skymaster|archive-date=August 1, 2008}}

A total of 178 USAF O-2 Skymasters were lost in the Vietnam War, to all causes.Hobson, Chris. Vietnam Air Losses, USAF/USN/USMC/ Fixed-Wing Southeast Asia 1961–1973. 2001. {{ISBN|1-85780-115-6}}

Following the Vietnam War, the O-2 continued to operate with both U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard units into the late 1980s.

Six former USAF O-2A airframes were transferred to the U.S. Navy in 1983 for use as range controllers with Attack Squadron 122 (VA-122), the Pacific Fleet Replacement Squadron for the A-7 Corsair II at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. These aircraft were later transferred to Strike Fighter Squadron 125 (VFA-125), the F/A-18 Hornet FRS at NAS Lemoore, in 1986 for use in the same range control role. These O-2A aircraft were eventually replaced by T-34C Turbo mentor aircraft transferred from the Naval Air Training Command.

Of the six USN aircraft mentioned above, two were transferred to the U.S. Army in late 1990.United States Military Aviation Directory, AIRTime Publishing, Norwalk CT, c2000, p. 231, {{ISBN|1-880588-29-3}} USAF O-2As were augmented by the 1990 aircraft transfer from the Navy. Several disassembled USAF O-2s remain in storage at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. Two O-2As were used at Laguna Army Airfield, Arizona as part of testing programs carried out by the Yuma Proving Ground. These were retired in October 2010 and sent to a museum.{{cite web|url=http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2010/10/ap-retired-aircraft-o2-skymaster-yuma-101410/|title=Retired aircraft soars in Yuma one last time|access-date=14 November 2010|publisher=Army Times Publishing Company|author=James Gilbert|date=October 2010}}

35 USAF O-2 aircraft were later transferred to and operated by the former Republic of Vietnam Air Force.

During the Salvadoran Civil War, the Salvadoran Air Force received a total of 23 O-2As and 2 O-2Bs from the United States, the first arriving in 1981. They were employed to observe the movements of FMLN formations and direct air strikes against them, playing a major role in forcing the rebel movement to abandon large-scale operations.

Near the end of the war in 1990, the rebels' acquisition of SA-7 missiles resulted in the loss of two O-2As, while another was destroyed by mortar fire, and two more were lost in crashes.{{cite web|last=Cooper|first=Tom|title=El Salvador, 1980–1992|url=http://www.acig.info/CMS/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=89&Itemid=47|publisher=ACIG.org|access-date=30 January 2013}}

In the mid-1970s, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or CAL FIRE, found that the contractor-owned air attack aircraft, mostly single-engine Cessna 182s and Cessna 210s, did not provide the airspeed and safety needed for the department's new air tanker program. In 1974, Senior Air Operations Officer Cotton Mason inspected 40 USAF O-2s at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. The best 20 were selected and shipped to Fresno, California. These aircraft had been FAC aircraft in Vietnam and were shipped back to the United States in containers, and were disassembled and on pallets when they arrived at Fresno. A crew of California Conservation Corps (CCC) members under the supervision of a CDF Battalion Chief, who was an FAA Certificated Mechanic with Inspection Authorization (IA), reassembled the aircraft.

They were placed in service in 1976, and served CAL FIRE for more than 20 years, until replaced by a fleet of OV-10 Broncos.{{Cite web|url=http://www.fire.ca.gov/about_aviation_history.php|title=Public domain material from "CDF Aviation Management History", CDF official website, retrieved 23 August 2007|access-date=23 August 2007|archive-date=4 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404053411/http://www.fire.ca.gov/about_aviation_history.php|url-status=dead}}

File:Cessna O-2A Skymaster (20063249288).jpg

;O-2A

:Version designed for use in forward air control missions, with underwing ordnance hard points to hold rockets, gun pods or flares. 513 delivered.

;O-2B

:Version designed for psychological warfare, equipped with loudspeakers and a leaflet dispenser, and not armed. Thirty-one former civil 337s were converted to O-2Bs.Andrade 1979, p. 140

;{{BOT}}

• Botswana Air Force – Nine O-2A delivered 1993.[http://www.skymaster.org.uk/military.asp "Cessna Skymasters used by non-US Air-Forces"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100312013338/http://www.skymaster.org.uk/military.asp |date=March 12, 2010 }}, Skymaster.org.uk. Accessed 10 May 2010.

;{{CRI}}

• Civil Guard Air Section – Three O-2A.

;{{DOM}}

• Dominican Air Force – Five O-2A (retired)

;{{CIV}}

• National Armed Forces of Côte d'Ivoire – One O-2A delivered 1993.

;{{HAI}}

• Haitian Air Force – Eight (in service 1975–98){{Cite web|url=http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/americas/haiti/Haiti-af-EscComb.htm|title=Haiti Air Force|website=www.aeroflight.co.uk}} Reportedly six of these are Model 337s, and only two O-2As.

File:Cessna O-2A of IIAF.jpg]]

;25px Iran

• Imperial Iranian Air Force – twelve O-2A delivered 1972.{{Cite web|url=http://www.iiaf.net/aircraft/Pfighters.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120727025023/http://www.iiaf.net/aircraft/Pfighters.html|url-status=dead|title=21st. Counter Insurgence Squadron O-2A|archive-date=July 27, 2012}}

;{{NAM}}

• Namibian Air Force – Six O-2A, five of which were delivered on June 26, 1994, for use in the anti-poaching and anti-smuggling role.AIR International, December 1994, p. 323.

;Nicaragua

• Fuerza Aérea de Nicaragua FAN GN

- 6 O-2A Retired 1979

;{{SLV}}

• Salvadoran Air Force – 18 O-2A and two O-2B, delivered starting 1981. Eight O-2A and one O-2B remain in service.

;{{SLB}}

• Solomon Islands Government – Two O-2A.

;{{Flag|South Korea}}

• Republic of Korea Air Force – at least 14 O-2A.

;{{Flag|South Vietnam}}

• Republic of Vietnam Air Force – at least 35.

;{{flag|Thailand}}

• Royal Thai Navy{{citation|url=http://www.worldairforces.com/countries/thailand/thl.html|title=World Air Forces – Historical Listings Thailand (THL)|access-date=30 August 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125054737/http://www.worldairforces.com/Countries/thailand/thl.html|archive-date=25 January 2012}} – 11 x O2-337 Sentry

;{{USA}}

• United States Air Force – ~532
• United States Navy{{Cite web|url=https://www.airliners.net/photo/USA-Navy/Cessna-O-2A-Pelican/1611364|title=Aviation Photo #1611364: Cessna O-2A Pelican - USA - Navy|website=Airliners.net}}
• United States Army

;{{URU}}

• National Navy of Uruguay – Three O-2A acquired from Chile in June 2017.{{cite web|last1=Porfilio|first1=Gabriel|title=Uruguayan Navy accepts three Cessna O-2As from Chile|url=http://www.janes.com/article/71551/|website=IHS Jane's 360|access-date=20 June 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170620013925/http://www.janes.com/article/71551/uruguayan-navy-accepts-three-cessna-o-2as-from-chile|archive-date=20 June 2017|location=Orlando|date=19 June 2017|url-status=dead}}

;{{ZIM}}

• Zimbabwe Air Force – Two O-2A delivered 1994–1995.

File:Cessna O-2A Skymaster '71380' 'Big Herb' (11457394796).jpg]]

• O-2A, AF Ser. No. 67-21331, National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio; previously assigned to the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron.
• O-2A, AF Ser. No. 67-21368, Air Commando Park, Hurlburt Field, Florida{{Cite web|url=http://www2.hurlburt.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3432|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100623062840/http://www2.hurlburt.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3432|url-status=dead|title=Hulburt Field - O-2A Skymaster|archive-date=June 23, 2010}}
• O-2A, AF Ser. No. 67-21430, Fort Worth Aviation Museum, Fort Worth, Texas{{cite web|url=http://vmap.wikispaces.com/O-2A+Skymaster+%28Gray%29|title=vmap - O-2A Skymaster (Gray)|publisher=Vmap.wikispaces.com|date=20 November 1967|access-date=20 February 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324124343/http://vmap.wikispaces.com/O-2A+Skymaster+%28Gray%29|archive-date=24 March 2016}}
• O-2A, AF Ser. No. 68-10962, Main Gate, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina[http://www.aero-web.org/museums/sc/safbsc.htm Shaw AFB] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101005090228/http://www.aero-web.org/museums/sc/safbsc.htm |date=2010-10-05 }}
• O-2A, AF Ser. No. 67-21331, c/n 337M-0037, marked as 68-6864, c/n 337M-0153, Air Force Armament Museum, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida[http://www.aero-web.org/museums/fl/afam.htm USAF Armament Museum] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100907001941/http://www.aero-web.org/museums/fl/afam.htm |date=2010-09-07 }}
• O-2A, AF Ser. No. 67-21376, 105th Airlift Wing area, Stewart Air National Guard Base, New York[http://www.aero-web.org/museums/ny/nyang105.htm New York ANG - 105th AG, Newburgh] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100703142509/http://www.aero-web.org/museums/ny/nyang105.htm |date=2010-07-03 }}
• O-2A, AF Ser. No. 68-11164, USAF Airman Heritage Museum, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas[http://www.aero-web.org/museums/tx/htm.htm USAF History and Traditions Museum] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990831090701/http://www.aero-web.org/museums/tx/htm.htm |date=1999-08-31 }}
• O-2A, AF Ser. No. 68-6865, Kelly Field Heritage Museum, Lackland Air Force Base/Kelly Field Annex (formerly Kelly Air Force Base), Texas[http://www.aero-web.org/museums/tx/kfhm.htm Kelly Field Heritage Museum] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100726162722/http://www.aero-web.org/museums/tx/kfhm.htm |date=2010-07-26 }}
• O-2A, AF Ser. No. 67-21318, Connecticut Air & Space Center, Sikorsky Memorial Airport, Connecticut[https://www.ctairandspace.org/o-2a Connecticut Air & Space Center]
• O-2A, AF Ser. No. 67-21326, Dyess Linear Air Park, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas[http://www.aero-web.org/museums/tx/dlap.htm Dyess Linear Air Park] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990831081914/http://www.aero-web.org/museums/tx/dlap.htm |date=1999-08-31 }}
• O-2A, AF Ser. No. 67-21395, Air Mobility Command Museum, Dover Air Force Base, Delaware[http://www.aero-web.org/museums/de/dafbhc.htm Air Mobility Command Museum] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101204210010/http://www.aero-web.org/museums/de/dafbhc.htm |date=2010-12-04 }}
• O-2A, AF Ser. No. 68-10848, Jimmy Doolittle Air & Space Museum, Travis Air Force Base, Fairfield, California[http://www.aero-web.org/museums/ca/tafm.htm Travis Air Force Museum] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100729020329/http://www.aero-web.org/museums/ca/tafm.htm |date=2010-07-29 }}
• O-2A, AF Ser. No. 68-10853, Hill Aerospace Museum, Hill Air Force Base, Utah{{cite web|url=http://www.hill.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet_print.asp?fsID=5723&page=1|title=Hill Air Force Base - Fact Sheet: SUPER SKYMASTER|publisher=Hill.af.mil|access-date=16 September 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921061918/http://www.hill.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet_print.asp?fsID=5723&page=1|archive-date=21 September 2012}}
• O-2A, AF Ser. No. 67-21380, Museum of Aviation, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia{{Cite web|url=http://www.museumofaviation.org/02A.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100923171712/http://www.museumofaviation.org/02A.php|url-status=dead|title=Museum of Aviation - Cessna O-2A Skymaster|archive-date=September 23, 2010}}
• O-2A, AF Ser. No. 68-6871, Grissom Air Museum, Grissom Air Reserve Base (formerly Grissom Air Force Base), Indiana{{Cite web|url=http://www.grissomairmuseum.com/airexib/planes/O2ASSkymaster.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101201113456/http://www.grissomairmuseum.com/airexib/planes/O2ASSkymaster.html|url-status=dead|title=Grissom Air Museum - Cessna O-2A Skymaster|archive-date=December 1, 2010}}
• O-2A, AF Ser. No. 68-11160, 182nd Airlift Wing complex, Peoria Air National Guard Base, General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport, Illinois[http://www.aero-web.org/museums/il/ilang182.htm Illinois ANG - 182nd AG, Peoria] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100623022633/http://www.aero-web.org/museums/il/ilang182.htm |date=2010-06-23 }}
• O-2A, AF Ser. No. 68-6901, Pima Air and Space Museum (adjacent to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base), Tucson, Arizona[http://www.aero-web.org/museums/az/pam.htm Pima Air & Space Museum] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100726035339/http://www.aero-web.org/museums/az/pam.htm |date=2010-07-26 }}
• O-2A, AF Ser. No. 67-21413, Castle Air Museum (former Castle Air Force Base), Atwater, California[http://www.aero-web.org/museums/ca/cam.htm Castle Air Museum] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060206160417/http://www.aero-web.org/museums/ca/cam.htm |date=2006-02-06 }}
• O-2A, AF Ser. No. 67-21411, in storage at Museum of Aviation, Robins Air Force Base, Warner Robins, Georgia. Formerly on display at Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum, Rantoul, Illinois.{{cite web|title=USAF Serial Number Search (67-21411)|url=http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1967.html|access-date=2018-02-14}}
• O-2A, AF Ser. No. 67-21330, Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum, Space Coast Regional Airport, Titusville, Florida[http://www.aero-web.org/museums/fl/vacm.htm Valiant Air Command Museum] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101204145452/http://www.aero-web.org/museums/fl/vacm.htm |date=2010-12-04 }}
• O-2A, AF Ser. No. 67-21395, Evergreen Aviation Museum, McMinnville, Oregon{{cite web |url=https://www.evergreenmuseum.org/cessna-o-2-skymaster |title= Help us save a Vietnam Vet!|website=www.evergreenmuseum.org |access-date=April 29, 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210414070848/https://www.evergreenmuseum.org/cessna-o-2-skymaster|archive-date= 14 April 2021|url-status=dead}}
• O-2B, AF Ser. No. 67-21465, March Field Air Museum, March Air Reserve Base (formerly March Air Force Base), California[http://www.aero-web.org/museums/ca/mfm.htm March Field Air Museum] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100813091012/http://www.aero-web.org/museums/ca/mfm.htm |date=2010-08-13 }}
• O-2A, AF Ser. No. 69-7644, American Wings Air Museum, Anoka County Airport Jane's Field (KANE), Blaine, Minnesota{{cite web|url=http://www.aviationmuseum.eu/World/North_America/USA/Minnesota/Blaine/American_Wings_Air_Museum.htm|title=American Wings Air Museum|access-date=17 May 2016|work=aviationmuseum.eu|date=16 October 2013}}
• O-2A, AF Ser. No. 67-21416, Yankee Air Museum, Belleville, Michigan{{Citation needed|date=October 2015}}
• In addition, several O-2s are privately operated as "warbirds".

File:Cessna O-2 Skymaster line.gif

{{Aircraft specs

|ref={{Harvnb|Donald|Lake|1996|p=115}}

|prime units?=imp

|genhide=

|crew=2{{Harvnb|Dorr|Bishop|1996|p=237}}

|capacity=

|length m=

|length ft=29

|length in=9

|span m=

|span ft=38

|span in=0

|height m=

|height ft=9

|height in=4

|wing area sqm=

|wing area sqft=202.5

|wing area note=

|aspect ratio=7.13:1

|airfoil=

|empty weight kg=

|empty weight lb=2848

|empty weight note=

|gross weight kg=

|max takeoff weight lb=5400

|gross weight note=

|fuel capacity=

|more general=

|eng1 number=2

|eng1 name=Continental IO-360C/D

|eng1 type=air-cooled flat-six engines

|eng1 kw=

|eng1 hp=210

|prop blade number=

|prop name=

|prop dia m=

|prop dia ft=

|prop dia in=

|prop note=

|perfhide=

|max speed kmh=

|max speed mph=199

|max speed kts=

|max speed note=at sea level

|cruise speed kmh=

|cruise speed mph=144

|cruise speed note=at {{convert|10000|ft|m|abbr=on}}

|never exceed speed kmh=

|never exceed speed mph=

|never exceed speed kts=

|range km=

|range miles=1060

|range nmi=

|combat range km=

|combat range miles=

|combat range nmi=

|endurance=

|ceiling m=

|ceiling ft=19800

|g limits=

|climb rate ms=

|climb rate ftmin=1180

|lift to drag=

|wing loading kg/m2=

|wing loading lb/sqft=

|wing loading note=

|more performance=

|guns = SUU-11/A Minigun Pod{{cite web|url=http://www.chancefac.net/FAC_Book/0-2_Dash_One/external_storest.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116052335/http://www.chancefac.net/FAC_Book/0-2_Dash_One/external_storest.htm|archive-date=16 November 2018|title=T. 0. lL-2A-l - External stores - FAC_Book/0-2_Dash_One|website=Chancefac.net}}

|bombs = SUU-14/A Bomblet Dispenser

|rockets = LAU-59/A Rocket Launcher, MA-2/A Rocket Launcher

|hardpoints = Four MAU-3A bomb racks

|avionics=

}}

{{Aircontent

|related=

• Cessna Skymaster
• AVE Mizar

|similar aircraft=

• Adam A500

|lists=

|see also=

}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Refbegin}}

• {{cite book|last=Andrade|first=John|title=U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909|year=1979|publisher=Midland Counties Publications|isbn=0-904597-22-9|ref=none}}
• {{cite book |editor1-last=Donald |editor1-first=David |editor2-last=Lake |editor2-first=Jon |title=Encyclopedia of World Military Aircraft |year=1996 |edition=Single volume |publisher=Aerospace Publishing |location=London |isbn=1-874023-95-6 }}
• {{cite book |last1=Dorr |first1=Robert F. |last2=Bishop |first2=Chris |title=Vietnam Air War Debrief |year=1996 |location=London |publisher= Aerospace Publishing |isbn=1-874023-78-6 }}
• {{cite book |last=Hagedorn |first=Daniel P. |title=Central American and Caribbean Air Forces |year=1993 |location=Tonbridge, Kent, UK |publisher=Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd |isbn=0851302106}}

{{Refend}}

{{Commons category-inline|Cessna O-2 Skymaster}}

{{Cessna}}

{{US observation aircraft}}

{{Authority control}}

O-2

Category:High-wing aircraft

Category:Twin-boom aircraft

Category:Twin-engined push-pull aircraft

Category:1960s United States military reconnaissance aircraft

Category:Counter-insurgency aircraft

Category:Aircraft first flown in 1967

Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear