O-2A Skymaster - Valparaiso, FL
N 30° 27.948 W 086° 33.653
16R E 542153 N 3370483
O-2A S/N 67-21331 is displayed in the Vietnam War-era flat black with red markings scheme. It is marked as 68-6864.
Waymark Code: WMH0NE
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 05/02/2013
Views: 5
O-2A S/N 67-21331 was sold into civilian use after end of war in Southeast Asia. It was reacquired by National Museum of the United States Air Force and is on loan to the USAF Armament Museum.
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The Skymaster was a low-cost twin-engine piston-powered aircraft, with one engine in the nose of the aircraft and a second engine in the rear of the fuselage. The push-pull configuration meant a simpler single-engine operating procedure due to centerline thrust compared to the common low-wing mounting of most twin engine light planes, and also allowed for a high wing, providing clear observation below and behind the aircraft.
The first O-2 flew in January 1967 and the plane went into production shortly thereafter, with the USAF taking delivery in March 1967. A total of 532 O-2s were built in two variants for the USAF by 1970. The O-2A served as a FAC aircraft with the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron, while the O-2B was equipped with loudspeakers and a leaflet dispenser for use in the psychological operations (PSYOPS) role. Several USAF O-2 aircraft were later transferred to and operated by the former VNAF South Vietnamese Air Force.