| O-2 Skymaster |
|---|
 An O-2 Skymaster dropping leaflets over Vietnam |
| Description |
|---|
| Role | Forward air control and reconnaissance |
| Crew | 2 - pilot and observer |
| Dimensions |
|---|
| Length | 29.75 ft | 9.07 m |
| Wingspan | 38.17 ft | 11.63 m |
| Height | 9.17 ft | 2.79 m |
| Wing area | 202.5 ft² | 18.8 m² |
| Weights |
|---|
| Empty | 2,848 lb | 1,292 kg |
| Loaded | 5,400 lb | 2,448 kg |
| Powerplant |
|---|
| Engines | One Tandem Continental IO-360C six-cylinder |
| Power | 210 hp | 157 kW |
| Performance |
|---|
| Maximum speed | 200 mph | 322 km/h |
| Combat range | 1,325 mi | 2,132 km |
| Service ceiling | 18,000 ft | 5,490 m |
| Rate of climb | 1,180 ft/min | 360m/min |
The O-2 Skymaster is a military version of the Cessna 337 Super Skymaster. The United States Air Force commissioned Cessna to build a military variant to replace the O-1 Bird Dog in 1966.
The first O-2 flew in January 1967 and the plane went into production shortly thereafter, with the USAF taking delivery in March. A total of 532 O-2s were built for the USAF by 1970.
Two variants of the aircraft were produced. The O-2A was equipped to carry light weapons with wing pylons, like rockets and flares. The O-2B aircraft was equipped for psychological warfare, equipped with loudspeakers and a leaflet dispenser, but otherwise carried no weapons.
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