Cessna Bulldog

[63cpe]

In the early 50-ies Helio corporation developed the Courier (knows as U-10 or Super Courier) and started the development of the U-5 or Twin Courier in the early 60-ies as the CIA had immediate needs for an rugged 4-6 seat C/STOL aircraft service in south-east asia for their Air America services.
Sadly Helio ran out of money and the Twin Courier project was terminated although the aircraft structure was later developed in the Helio Stallion, a single-engine turboprop version of the more successful Helio Courier.

As, in nature, Cessna heard of the financial difficulties of Helio and the urgent requirements from the CIA and threw in their proposal the Cessna Bulldog as it was called by the Cessna employees. This design was not entirely new. To keep the development costs low and the development fast the fuselage of the L-19/ O-1 Bird Dog was slightly altered by adding an new more efficient and STOL capable wing.  Like the Twin Courier twin Lycoming engines were mounted on top of the high-set wing, close to the fuselage. [1]With the engines mounted in this manner, lateral and over-the-nose visibility were much improved while the propellers were kept clear of cabin doors and away from possible debris damage during rough field operations. This was a tail-wheel design, so the vertical component of propeller thrust assisted STOL take-off performance from rough fields. Also the tail section was changed and the seat capability was enlarged to accommodate 3 to 4 passengers.

The CIA officials approved the low rate initial production for ten airframes. Soon testing began and proved the Bulldog C/STOL capable, overpowered but too small for the required needs. Cessna hastily proposed an armed version with FLIR turret, miniguns and rocket pods but to no avail. Cessna soon realized it needed an all new designed airframe to keep the military customers satisfied. This situation started the development of the O-2 Skymaster.
According to Cessna's administration all Bulldogs were tested in the US although sources mentioned there was at least one airframe tested in Southeast Asia as one was lost in an crash  over the Laotian jungle.

IMG_3682 by David Dunnebier, on Flickr

IMG_3683 by David Dunnebier, on Flickr

IMG_3694 by David Dunnebier, on Flickr

IMG_3698 by David Dunnebier, on Flickr

IMG_3701 by David Dunnebier, on Flickr

IMG_3702 by David Dunnebier, on Flickr

Ok, in truth while working on the Antonov Argosy project I got bored of the sanding, filling, sanding, filling and on and on and on. That's where the creative process kicks in so one starts to search the "wasted projects/part's bin, one finds lots of parts that somehow seem to belong together. Add a sparkle Inspiration and this is how projects start...some projects are easily made complete fuselage, wings, tailsection etc.. (easy projects) and sometime it's not that easy. Anyway, this was one "easy projects". Fuselage is 1/72 Airfix O-1 Bird Dog with OV-10 extreme nose, wings and tailsection: 1/200 Heller Transall, Engines: Zvezda Disney's "rochelle" engines.

The complete album is to be found here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jetsonsspecial/albums/72157672340396274

I hope you like it.
David

[Captain Canada]

Nice one. Made from many pieces....I like it !

[zenrat]

Sweet.  Got me thinking.

[ericr]

it does look good! ans the way the originally very different ingredients fit together is very elegant : a beautiful hybrid

[Flyer]

Very cool, and inspiring

[KiwiZac]

Oooh, that's very nice!! More please!

[63cpe]

New pictures added......it's sort of finished now...

[NARSES2]

That works, looks good 

[Librarian]

It's funny how from some angles there's a certain SeaBee-ishness about it. Very pretty

[The Rat]

Most excellent!

[kerick]

Kit bashing at its finest!!!

[king of men]

When a plane is frankensteined out of a box of unrelated spare parts but still looks like a valid aircraft project, that's good whiffin'! 

[ericr]

really cute indeed, and the Rochelle's engines fit beautifully

[Glenn Gilbertson]

I also think it looks very cute. Inspired!

[KiwiZac]

Man oh man, that is absolutely gorgeous! Congratulations on a stunning build!!!!