O1 Bird Dog Army Model Airplane: The Perfect Gift for Aviation Fans

Unbeatable museum quality best describes our handcrafted model airplanes just like the O1 Bird Dog Army. After passing through the hands of master craftsmen, the parts are sanded and primed many times. Talented artists then paint on the intricate details with great accuracy. A final coat of clear lacquer protects the aircraft and gives it a glossy finish. Our O1 Bird Dog Army model airplane exhibits an unmatched quality and intricate design to obtain the exact look of the actual O1 Bird Dog Army.

The O1 Bird Dog model plane comes with a handsome mahogany-based chrome pedestal, and undergoes various stages of quality control before being placed in its box. The O1 Bird Dog model plane is perfect as an addition to a growing collection or as an exquisite gift to a loved one. Each O1 Bird Dog model plane will surely be appreciated by aviation enthusiasts and hobbyists for it is truly a work of art that relives their memory of the O1 Bird Dog.

O1 Bird Dog, Army History:

The L-19 Bird Dog was the ideal aerial spotter and was used widely in southeast Asia. L-19 / O-1s were one of the ubiquitous sights for ten years over the terrain of Vietnam, before being withdrawn from service in 1971.

The O-1 Bird Dog was the first all metal fixed wing aircraft ordered for and by the US Army, since the US Army Air Force separated from the army in 1947, becoming its own branch of service, the United States Air Force. The L-19 had a lengthy career in the US military as well as in other countries.

The L-19 received the name "Bird Dog" as a result of a contest held with Cessna employees to name the aircraft. The winning entry, submitted by Jack A. Swayze, an industrial photographer, was selected by a U.S. Army board. The name was chosen because the role of the army's new airplane was to find the enemy and orbit over them until artillery (or attack aircraft) could be brought to bear on the enemy. While flying low and close to the battlefield, the pilot would observe the exploding shells and adjust the fire via his radios, in the manner of a bird dog (Gun dog) used by game hunters.