02 - Info Video at Oshkosh 2010

[Roger]

Great video, 2nd half about the O2 (337)

Especially interesting is that during the Vietnam War, if you were a corporate owner of a Skymaster your aircraft was confiscated by the US Govt, and converted into an O2 for military use.

I don't know of any other General Aviation aircraft in history that was deemed so desireable by the US Gov. for its capabilities and performance, that they were conscripted


http://www.eaavideo.org/video.aspx?v=275367198001

[skymstr02]

Originally Posted by Roger

Especially interesting is that during the Vietnam War, if you were a corporate owner of a Skymaster your aircraft was confiscated by the US Govt, and converted into an O2 for military use.

Thats not true. The O-2B was converted from commercial off the shelf 337B's, but there were enough in the dealer network, that the Government bought what was available through that avenue.

There are too many structural differences between the O-2A, and the commercial version, that it would be cheaper to build an O-2, than convert a "B" to an O-2. The fuselage is structurally different, the wings are structurally different, and the tail is structurally different too.

[Roger]

Cool. I will call the guy who has spent his life restoring them and tell him he is wrong.

[skymstr02]

What ever! Prove me wrong.

I have owned, and flown my O-2 since 1989, and have studied the type since long before that. I have worked on the 337 series since 1975, when I got my A&P, at a Cessna dealer in Austin, TX. This is the first time that I have heard such rubbish.

I know Russman, have delt with him, and have learned that you take everything with a grain of salt.