Bird Dog operators proved plentiful and reached Cambodia, Canada, France, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Norway, Pakistan, Spain, Taiwan and Thailand among many others (see operators listing for full report). Japanese military stocks were strengthened through local license production of the aircraft under the Fuji brand label and Italian Army versions were delivered as the SM.1019 with local production by SIAI-Marchetti.
Total Bird Dog production eventually reached an impressive 3,431 aircraft during a very lengthy career worldwide.
Bird Dogs were gradually being replaced across all major branches of service in the American military heading into the 1970s - the final frontline example was retired in 1974. Despite this, civilian-governed models have still soldiered on into the new millennium and have remained popular with owners. The similar Model 325, based on the Model 305, is another notable form and used in the agricultural spray business.
Designations of the Bird Dog line included the original L19A used by the U.S. Army of which 2,486 were eventually produced. These were then redesignated as O-1A in the 1962 U.S. military designation reorganization. TL-19A signified dual-control trainer versions which became TO-1A in 1962. 310 TL-19D instrument trainers were produced and became the TO-1D. The L-19E was an improved L-19A with increased gross weight, becoming the O-1E in 1962 and seeing production reach 469 examples. OE-1 were 60 original USMC Bird Dogs in the L-19A standard, becoming the O-1B in 1962. The OE-2 was the OE-1 but with Cessna Model 180 wings and a revised fuselage. These were redesignated to O-1C in 1962 and saw production total 27 examples. The O-1D line were TL-19D trainers modified for the Forward Air Control (FAC) role with the USAF. The O-1F followed suit and was based on the O-1D while the O-1G was the O-1A of the USAF for use in FAC.
The XL-19B was a "one-off" experimental Bird Dog with a Boeing XT-50-BO-1 turboprop engine of 210 horsepower. Similarly, the XL-19C existed as two prototype Bird Dogs outfitted with Continental CAE XT51-T-1 turboprop engines of 210 horsepower. None were furthered in serial production.
The typical Bird Dog (taking the O-1E as an example) design was powered by a Continental O-470-11 six piston engine developing 213 horsepower. This supplied the design with a maximum speed of 130 miles per hour, a range out to 530 miles, a service ceiling of 20,300 feet and a rate-of-climb of 1,040 feet per minute. Dimensions included a length of 25 feet, 9 inches, a wingspan of 36 feet and a height of 7 feet, 3 inches. Empty weight was 1,600lbs with a Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) of 2,800lbs being reported.
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