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I was just doing a little background research for "fun" and I could not find an actual type certificate that specifically lists the O-1 / Model 305F aircraft that were supposedly built "new" by Air Repair Inc. of Cleveland, MS.
It appears that an outfit called Regal Air in Ft. Collins CO now owns the two original "Cessna" type certificates for the Bird Dog. They are TC 5A5 for the models 305A (USAF O-1A), 305C (USAF O-1E), 305D (USAF O-1G), and 305F and TC 3A14 for the models 305B and 305E (TO-1D, O-1D, and O-1E).
According to NOTE 3 in TC 5A5, all of the aircraft built by Ector from military surplus and spare parts are covered there, and even though such non-OEM "copies" of certificated aircraft are supposed to have serial numbers that can't be confused with those used by the OEM, they are darn close. According to the TC, Cessna's 305 series serials started at 21001 and up, and after s/n 24749 switched to a 305M-0001 and up format - whereas the Ector serials were similar but used only four digits: 2001 and up.
On the other hand, I have seen various Air Repair Bird Dogs carrying properly disimilar serial numbers in the format AR-1 and up, but I haven't able to locate a TC where that is referenced anywhere. Anyone know what the deal is with the Air Repair O-1 (305F) aircraft?
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