Warbird Information Exchange

Hello WIXers,

I've been training in the L-16 lately at our museum, and had a question that perhaps some of you may have info on.

Was the Aeronca L-16 ever equipped with underwing rocket-pods on gun-pods, during it's service? I know that the L-19 Birddog was, as was the L-4 and L-5 during WWII.

I tried looking for pics of any kind of armament online, but to no avail. I mean, one has to imagine that at least once they experimented with this.

Thanks, all!

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Austin Hancock
Pennington P-51 Memorial
www.lp-51.com

Austin, I cannot definitely answer your question about the L-16 but I suspect it did not have armament. However, I can tell you that the L-4, L-5 used during WWII and Korean War and the L-19 used during the Korean War did not have armament. The L-19 or O-1 was fitted with rocket tubes for Willie Pete's during the Vietnam War. My dad flew the L-Birds during WWII and Korean War and I know his only weapon was a side arm. Have many friends who flew the O-1 during Vietnam and have heard their stories and seen pictures of their planes and rocket shots.

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I've got a few L-16's / L-19's with rockets installed somewhere. I'll see what I can find. Here's a few others that may help you. These were all "field mods" and as far as I know were never standard equipment.

M


An Inprovised Bomb Shackle On An L-4 That Flies In Support Of The 158Th Infantry. The Bombs Are Bazooka Shells. January 1945










Piper Cub used by US Ground forces an artillery Liaison plane is shown in flight after its conversion into a rocket firing craft by installation of bazookas in the field.

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“With bottomless pockets...anything is possible”

Very Interesting, Mark....several of those appear to be L-4s........wonder where????? I can be proven wrong but all the history I know of from my Dad's service (and others) were that they were unarmed. Be enlightening to find out differently and I look forward to more info from WIXers

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Sorry I just added some data (very little) I would take a guess and say the photos above were in the CBI theater? One seems to be Europe after D-Day somewhere.

Here's a few more ...


L-19 Bird Dog

More recent photos ... Photo source Rob Lovesey


1958 Cessna 305 CL-19/O-1 Bird Dog 24582G-VDOG


1958 Cessna 305 CL-19/O-1 Bird Dog 24582G-VDOG

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“With bottomless pockets...anything is possible”

Mark, that first L-19 is probably actually a O-1 from Vietnam War probably photographed somewhere in SEA. The "Air Force" marking is a clue. The markings and the whip antenna are reminiscent of many pictures I have seen from the FACs of Vietnam War. The L-19s used during Korea were only with Army Aviation and painted more like the present-day photo you have.

Interesting information you had added. Field installation it may be. Dad flew in Europe and North Africa during WWII; never in the Pacific and then in Korea,

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And a few more ... None from the Korean era ... yet!!!


A 'Black Ace' L-19 at LZ Baldy ready to take an observer up in SEA


A 'Black Ace' L-19 at LZ Baldy ready to take an observer up in SEA


USAF L-19 in SEA


USAF L-19 in SEA

... and a few more recent. Original photographers unknown unless watermarked.










N919BD (24551) Cessna L-19 Bird Dog - Santa Monica Museum of Flying

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“With bottomless pockets...anything is possible”

Great photos, Mark....Thanks

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Of course, my pleasure. I'll keep looking for some better stuff when I have a bit more time. Hope some of these were useful.

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“With bottomless pockets...anything is possible”

WOW! Thanks for all the help thus far, guys 'n gals! I really hope there is something out there. If they had used rockets, etc. on the L-16, what exact setup would they have used? (Part numbers, type, etc.)

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Austin Hancock
Pennington P-51 Memorial
www.lp-51.com

You guys do know that the rockets on the O-1s were usually smoke markers...not offensive weapons?

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

Dunno, I'd find someone lobbing white phosphorus at me to be pretty offensive

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Lest Hero-worship raise it's head and cloud our vision, remember that World War II was fought and won by the same sort of twenty-something punks we wouldn't let our daughters date.

Not compared to what came next...delivered by F-100s or Phantoms.

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

Usually but not always as a couple of the first photos show. But you stated O-1's so correct you are sir.

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“With bottomless pockets...anything is possible”

I'm told occasionally they snuck some HE rockets in....well, at least in the O-2s, I've heard.......but I also know of at least one Raven FAC who killed a sampan driver with a Willie Pete from an O-1.......he was trying to blow up the boat which probably contained ammo and such. He hit the driver square in the chest instead and had to go back around and shoot another to blow the boat...... d'oH. Said he never could have hit the human if he had actually tried.

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