Fuji L-19E-I “Soyokaze”

[Grzegames]

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Fuji L-19E-I “Soyokaze” (そよかぜ) (セスナL-19E-I)
The Fuji L-19E-I is a Japanese observation and liaison aircraft. This aircraft is a license copy of the Cessna O-1E aircraft and was produced in Fuji. In the years 1957-58, 14 aircraft of this version were built, which served until 1986. The aircraft was nicknamed “Soyokaze” (そよかぜ) during its service with the JGSDF.
History
In 1956, when the Americans completed the delivery of the donated Cessna L-19A aircraft, the Japanese commander of the JGSDF decided that 107 aircraft were not enough and that more were needed. It was decided that it would be best to have 250 L-19 observation and liaison aircraft by 1965. The Japanese knew that they would not receive more planes from the USA for free. Therefore, it was decided to purchase the rights to license production and the possibility of modifying the latest version of the Cessna L-19 aircraft, i.e. the L-19E version. In addition, the right to modernize and service Cessna L-19A aircraft was purchased. All of these purchases were made by Fuji Heavy Industries and were sponsored by JGSDF. In 1957, production began of the first series of 14 Fuji L-19E-I aircraft, which were exactly the same as the Cessna L-19E. Production continued until 1958. In 1959, 8 modified Fuji L-19E-II aircraft were produced (suggestion in the future), which was a training version. However, at the same time, Kawasaki began production of the Bell H-13 helicopters, which was better suited for reconnaissance tasks. For this reason, the JGSDF Command abandoned the project of having 250 L-19 aircraft and decided that helicopters were to be the main vehicle responsible for reconnaissance. For this reason, after the production of 22 Fuji L-19E aircraft (14 L-19E-I and 8 L-19E-II), production was discontinued. L-19 aircraft during service earned the nickname “Soyokaze” (そよかぜ), which means a slight breeze. These L-19E-I aircraft served without accidents until their complete withdrawal in 1986.

Pictures Fuji L-19E-I

Art about the Fuji L-19E-I

Construction description
The Fuji L-19E-I aircraft is a surveillance and liaison aircraft, which is a licensed version of the Cessna L-19E, which is an improved version of the Cessna L-19A. The aircraft is a metal structure in a high-wing system with fixed landing gear. A two-person crew (pilot, observer) sits in a tandem configuration. The aircraft is powered by a Continental O-470-11 engine with a take-off power of 213 hp (159 kW), which rotates a two-bladed propeller with a diameter of 2290 mm. The aircraft has four attachment points under the wings on which up to 454 kg (1000lb) of cargo can be mounted. The aircraft is heavier than the L-19A version, on which it is based, due to the reinforcement of the wing structure and more modern equipment.

Technical sketches

Cockpit photo

Weapon holders

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: 7,85 m
• Wingspan: 10,97 m
• Height: 2,29 m
• Wing area: 16,17 m2
• Empty weight: 732 kg
• Gross weight: 1089 kg
• Maximum Take-off Weight: ?
• Powerplant: 1 × Continental O-470-11 engine with a take-off power of 213 hp (159 kW)
• Propellers: two-bladed propeller with a diameter of 2290 mm

Performance

• Maximum speed: 209 km/h
• Cruise speed: 167km/h
• Range: 851km
• Maximum Range: 1296km
• Service ceiling: 7 000m
• Climb Rate: 5,3 m/s
• Time to altitude: ?

Armament

1. Guns:

• 2 x Browning M2 12,7mm machine guns (under wings) (?)

2. Bombs

• 2 x 45 kg (100 lb) bomb (under the wings)
• 2 x 113 kg (250 lb) bomb (under the wings)
• 2 x 227 kg (500lb) bomb (under the wings)
• 4 x 45 kg (100 lb) bomb (under the wings) (?)
• 4 x 113 kg (250 lb) bomb (under the wings) (?)

3. Rocket

• 2-16 x 70mm (2.75 in) rockets (under the wings)

Special thanks

• @コタリ

Summary
The Fuji L-19E-I is an interesting aircraft for Japan in War Thunder. This aircraft would be a useful CAS aircraft, which Japan badly needs in the game. In addition, in the future, this aircraft may be used for reconnaissance. The Fuji L-19E-I and its brothers (L-19A and L-19E-II) would be a very useful addition to Japan. I encourage you to discuss in the comments and to share your own knowledge on this subject.
Finally, I apologize for the linguistic and logical errors because unfortunately English is not my main language and I had to use google translator.

Internet sources

O-1 (航空機) - Wikipedia
陸上自衛隊の装備品一覧 - Wikipedia
Cessna O-1 Bird Dog - Wikipedia
日本におけるセスナ（富士）L-19の歴史
Cessna L-19E Bird Dog : Cessna
セスナL-19A/E-1/E-2バードドッグ『そよかぜ』
JGSDF(Army) fixed-wing aircraft
Уголок неба ¦ Cessna O-1 Bird Dog
Cessna Model 305A / O-1 Bird Dog - observation, liaison
Cessna O-1 Bird Dog (L-19): Photos, History, Specification

Thank you for reading the suggestion, see you in the next one. Good luck pilots

[PlayedStatue626-live]

+1 a worthy opponent to the L-2 with bazookas

[viski253]

whats with people today popping out suggestions like they are a mexican mother popping out kids.

[Godvana]

Do you have any actual pictures/manuals of these things carrying weapons?

[Grzegames]

There are photos of the L-19A version. The L-19E is an L-19A with reinforced wings and newer cockpit equipment (radio, etc.).

[かがり]

+1 would be funny

[Savage-SRC]

+1, basicaly a Po-2 with teeth to actually fight someone, yet I wonder if it will go to 1.0 as well