- Yes
- No
Hello everyone and welcome to this new suggestion.
Today I’m presenting a new aircraft from the French Army, an aircraft used for several decades by the ALAT (French Army Light Aviation): the Cessna L-19E.
The Cessna L-19 is an American military aircraft developed by Cessna based on the Cessna 170. Designed as a liaison and reconnaissance aircraft, it enjoyed considerable international success. During the Korean War, the French Army detachment fighting alongside American troops discovered this small aircraft, capable of monitoring the battlefield from the air and designating targets for the infantry. This information reached the General Staff, who then decided to order 40 L-19As from the United States to replace the ALAT’s older MS-500 Criquet reconnaissance aircraft.
Deployed during the Indochina War, the L-19 proved a particularly effective aircraft, enabling ground forces to gather intelligence on the positions of Vietnamese troops. Subsequently, France ordered approximately one hundred additional aircraft, including the E version, an improved variant. This version saw significant deployment during the Algerian War. Equipped with smoke rockets, it was used by the French Army Light Aviation (ALAT) to designate targets from a distance, allowing infantry or air force units to engage them more easily.
Initially equipped with large-caliber smoke rockets (a 70-37 type hardpoint under each wing capable of carrying five CEP 545 rockets each), some ALAT units quickly considered arming these aircraft. The 19th ALAT Division was the first to undertake this task. This involved, in particular, the integration of Matra SNEB rocket pods holding 18 rockets. These pods were already widely used by Air Force and Navy aircraft, enabling attacks on ground troops as well as lightly armored vehicles and fortified positions. Installed at the same hardpoint as the smoke rockets, these pods did not interfere with the latter’s carriage (one less rocket), thus increasing strike capability without completely reducing reconnaissance and target designation capabilities. A gunsight was also installed in front of the pilot to improve aiming.
At the end of this war the Cessna L-19Es returned to France, but this was not the end of their story, in fact these aircraft remained in service until the 90s, serving on NATO bases in Berlin but also in the theaters of operation in which France was involved, for example in Chad, an operation during which a titanium “thermal shield” was tested, allowing the engine’s heat emissions to dissipate, making it less vulnerable to the firing of portable infrared missiles.
Characteristics
Length : 7.50 m
Width : 10.80 m
Height : 2.50 m
Mass :
- Min : 730 kg
- Max : 1090 kg
The aircraft is powered by a Continental 0470-11 engine with a power output of 213 hp, allowing it to reach a maximum speed of 280 km/h and an altitude of 6,000 meters. Its range at a cruising speed of 160 km/h is 5 hours of flight.
The crew consists of two people: a pilot in the front and an observer in the rear. It should be noted that on several occasions, the observer has taken the controls to land the aircraft due to pilot injuries.
Equipment
This aircraft is rudimentary to say the least, equipped only with a radio. Its primary role being to designate targets using its smoke rockets, this was more than sufficient.
Weapons
As indicated at the beginning of this suggestion, the aircraft’s armament is particularly limited; indeed, the aircraft only has two hardpoints and can only carry rockets, and does not have internal armament such as cannons or machine guns.
- 10 x CEP 545 smoke rockets
- 2 x 18 Matra Sneb rockets
In the game, this aircraft would be a fun addition to the French tech tree, but it wouldn’t offer much of value. Its light armament prevents it from engaging heavily armored targets, and its lack of defensive armament makes it particularly vulnerable to enemy fighters. However, the Cessna L-19E remains a legendary aircraft of the French Army Light Aviation (ALAT) and deserves its place in the game.
Sources
- ImagesDéfense - Cérémonie de départ des L19 de l’ALAT.
- Cessna L-19/O-1 Bird Dog — avionslegendaires.net
- Historique des expérimentations au peloton mixte avions-hélicoptères de la 19e DI - ALAT.FR
- Historique des aéronefs du 1er peloton avions de la 19e DI - ALAT.FR
- Les amis du musée de l’ALAT et de l’hélicoptère - Cessna L 19E
- GPP 2021 : Cessna L-19E Bird Dog – aeroVFR
- Cessna L19 - Ailes Anciennes de Corbas
- Aviation Légère de l’Armée de Terre : ALAT | Provence 7