Cessna O-2 Super
Skymaster
(Variants/Other Names: Cessna 336/337
Skymaster)
Cessna O-2 Super Skymaster
(Photo by Kogo, used with permission, via
GFDL)
History:
The Cessna O-2 Super Skymaster was
ordered by the U.S. Air Force in 1966 to replace the Cessna O-1
until a purpose-built aircraft could be put into service as a Forward Air Control and
light observation aircraft. Because the Skymaster was a two seater, one crewmember could
be freed from piloting the aircraft to concentrate on the difficult mission of Forward Air
Control, which included such diverse tasks as marking targets for air strikes, giving
strike briefings to incoming attack pilots, and avoiding ground threats. This made the O-2
ideal for the FAC mission, even if low-and-slow FAC pilots had to wait until the
appearance of its successor, the OV-10 Bronco, to be protected by
armor plating.
The aircraft from which the O-2 sprang was originally designated the Cessna Model
336 Skymaster and was built for civilian use. The 336 had the distinctive
push-pull engine layout of the O-2 and fixed landing gear. It was cheap, easy to fly, and
the problem of flying a two-engine aircraft on just one engine was made easier, since
asymmetrical thrust was non-existent. Early in 1965, the Model 337
entered production with retractable landing gear. After being equipped with four underwing
hard-points, extra windows for the observer, and a military radio system, the Model 337 became the
Cessna O-2A. A special psychological warfare version, the O-2B,
was produced in limited numbers. It used three powerful directional speakers to broadcast
messages, and also performed propaganda leaflet drops. The O-2 was retired from USAF
service in the 1980s, but a militarized 337, marketed as the Sentry,
has been supplied by the CIA to forces in Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Senegal.
During its production run, 544 O-2s were built, and some continue to serve with forestry
departments across the United States. Quite a few others are flown as warbirds, including
at least one in Australia.
Nicknames: Duck; Mixmaster;
Push-Pull; Cessna Suck-Blow; The B.S. Bomber (Nickname for O-2B
psychological warfare variant).
Specifications:
Engines: Two 210-hp Continental IO-360-GB flat-six piston engines
Weight: Empty 2,787 lbs., Max
Takeoff 4,630 lbs.
Wing Span: 38ft. 2in.
Length: 29ft. 9in.
Height: 9ft. 2in.
Performance:
Maximum Speed at
Sea Level: 206 mph
Ceiling: 18,000
ft.
Range: 1,422
miles
Armament:
Four underwing
hard-points for rockets, flares, or light ordinance such as a 7.62-mm (0.3-inch) Minigun
pack.
Number Built: 2,134 Model 337s and 544 O-2s
Number Still Airworthy: 25+ operated as
private warbirds; Unknown number still in active military service worldwide.
Links:
Cessna Skymaster Website (Unofficial) (UK)
-- A huge amount of good information for owners and operators.
O-2/Skymaster
Photo Index Page
Riley Super Skyrocket Conversion
Skymaster Owners and
Pilots Association
Unofficial Skymaster Site
Aviation
Enterprises - Skymaster mods and parts.
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Doublestar Group, unless otherwise noted.
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