Sepia Scenes - Cessna O-1A Bird Dog , Thumper II

The Cessna L-19/O-1 Bird Dog was a liaison and observation aircraft. It was the first all metal fixed wing aircraft ordered for and by the United States Force since the U.S. Army Air Forces separated from the Army in 1947, becoming its own branch of service, the U.S.Air Force.  The Bird Dog had a lengthy career in the U.S. military as well as in other countries. For a history see Wikipedia.  This aircraft and others were on display at the Oklahoma Air Guard's Family day September 11, 2010.