- Yes
- No
Japanese Cessna L-19A “Soyokaze” (そよかぜ) (セスナL-19A)
The Japanese Land Self-Defense Forces received 107 Cessna L-19A liaison/reconnaissance aircraft from the U.S. in 1954-56. The planes served until 1986. During the service, 10 L-19A planes crashed, and at least two crew members died. The aircraft was nicknamed “Soyokaze” (そよかぜ) during its service with the JGSDF.
History
On June 18, 1954, seven Cessna L-19A aircraft were delivered to the Japanese National Security Forces under the Mutual Assistance in Defense Agreement (MDAP). On July 1, 1954, the Japanese Self-Defense Force (JSDF) was formed, which included the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). All vehicles belonging to the National Security Forces are transferred to the JGSDF, including seven Cessna L-19A aircraft. The Japanese quickly noticed the potential of the Cessna L-19A and decided to try to get more aircraft of this type. In 1954, these were modern aircraft and valuable for the newly established JGSDF. The U.S. handed over the L-19A aircraft to the already established JGSDF until November 1956. At that time, 97-100 L-19A aircraft were delivered, which were quickly delivered to various units as observation and liaison aircraft. The JGSDF command wanted to have 250 Cessna L-19 aircraft by the end of 1965, so in 1957 it obtained a license to produce the latest version of the Cessna L-19 aircraft, the L-19E. The production was to be carried out by the Fuji plant and it was possible to produce 22 Fuji L-19E aircraft in the L-19E-I (suggestion in the future) and L-19E-II (suggestion in the future) versions. Then it was decided that the observation tasks were to be handled by helicopters and production was discontinued. L-19 aircraft during service earned the nickname “Soyokaze” (そよかぜ), which means a slight breeze. Cessna L-19A aircraft served almost without problems until the end of the 70s, when they began to be phased out due to the aging of the structure. All L-19 aircraft were withdrawn by 1986. During service, 10 L-19As were lost in accidents and at least two crew members were killed. Most of the L-19A planes were scrapped, but a few ended up in museums and private hands.
Art about the Cessna L-19A
Construction description
The Cessna L-19A aircraft is an observation and liaison aircraft with a metal structure in a high-wing configuration with a 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 two mounts under the wings for 227 kg (500lb) of payload.
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 10,97 m
- Wingspan: 7,62 m
- Height: 2,31 m
- Wing area: 14,46 m2
- Empty weight: 635 kg
- Gross weight: 998kg
- 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: 210 or 235 km/h
- Cruise speed: 167km/h
- Range: 1050km
- Maximum Range: 1352 km
- Service ceiling: 6980 m
- Climb Rate: ?
- Time to altitude: ?
Armament
- Guns:
- 2 x M2 12.7mm machine guns (under wings) (?)
- Bombs
- 2 x 45 kg (100 lb) bomb (under the wings)
- 2 x 113 kg (250 lb) bomb (under the wings)
- Rocket
- 2-8 x 70mm (2.75 in) rockets (under the wings)
Special thanks
- @コタリ
Summary
The Cessna L-19A is an interesting aircraft for Japan in War Thunder. This aircraft would be a useful CAS aircraft for Japan along with its Japanese brothers (L-19E-I and L-19E-II). The L-19A may also serve as a reconnaissance aircraft in the future. 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-19A Bird Dog : Cessna
Уголок неба ¦ Cessna O-1 Bird Dog
Cessna Model 305A / O-1 Bird Dog - observation, liaison
セスナL-19A/E-1/E-2バードドッグ『そよかぜ』
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
