Forward Air control aircraft

[scooter]

its a shame the US army didn't go into the LARA project and get the OV10. given some US agencies are still using them in Iraq

Back when I was in Iraq, in 05, certain agencies were still using Cessna Skymasters.  I wish I'd been able to grab a photo of the one I saw in at Kirkuk, in Compass Ghost Grey with a civilian N number.

[DarrenP2]

would have been interesting if the British Army had goten FAC aircraft like the OV10 or the strikemaster. I know the Aussies used the OV10 in veitnam and some Aussie FAC were on O-2's as well.

[KiwiZac]

I know the Aussies used the OV10 in veitnam and some Aussie FAC were on O-2's as well.

Aussies flew them but I doubt they were ever officially on strength with the Army or RAAF. There's one Bird Dog that ended up with the AAAvn but that's it, as far as I'm aware (happy to be proven wrong)

[rickshaw]

I know the Aussies used the OV10 in veitnam and some Aussie FAC were on O-2's as well.

Aussies flew them but I doubt they were ever officially on strength with the Army or RAAF. There's one Bird Dog that ended up with the AAAvn but that's it, as far as I'm aware (happy to be proven wrong)

Nope.  You're correct.  A few RAAF pilots flew FAC for the USAAF in South Vietnam.   Some of them flew OV-10s.   Yes, we ended up with one Bird Dog.   Can't remember the story behind that one though...   

[DarrenP2]

I know the Aussies used the OV10 in veitnam and some Aussie FAC were on O-2's as well.

Aussies flew them but I doubt they were ever officially on strength with the Army or RAAF. There's one Bird Dog that ended up with the AAAvn but that's it, as far as I'm aware (happy to be proven wrong)

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/REL35907/

67-14639 is in the reserve collection at present acquired from the philipines airforce in recognition of the RAAF pilots who flew them

[KiwiZac]

Kiwis flew FAC with the Yanks as well, most (if not all) were/went on to be Skyhawk drivers. Hence why the RNZAF Museum has an O-2 in storage!

I remembered only one Bird Dog (you better visit the link - blue with white cheats...and a Playboy logo!) but 161 actually had three on loan during the war. Never got A serials though.