L-19
Looking for a different kind of scale model for C/L? The L-19 is spot on.
PHOTOGRAPHY: CHUCK FELTON L 52
ike many other civilian light planes converted to military use, the Cess- na L-19 Bird Dog observation and Forward Air Control aircraft traced
its origins to the Cessna 170, a 4-place civil- ian light plane, with its military power up- graded from 145 to 213 hp. In 1950 Cessna won a contract with the US Army for 418 aircraft. Over 3400 Bird Dogs were eventu- ally built by the time the final aircraft was rolled out in 1962. Structurally, the military version differed significantly from its civilian progenitor, with the passenger capacity reduced by two, the aft superstructure radically revised to provide a clear view rearward, and trans- parent panel being inserted in the wing above the seats. The access door was made wider to accommodate a standard military stretcher, for which support brackets were installed. The L-19 was judged to be much better in terms of performance on takeoff and climb than its World War II predeces-
sors, as well as more comfortable for the pi- lot and observer. Although they were only used in small numbers during the Korean War, Bird Dogs were widely employed during the early days of the Vietnam War, when the U.S. Air Force acquired many to use in the Forward Air Control and observation roles. While long out of production, Bird Dogs are still in active use around the world. Like the real airplane, the model Bird
Dog presented here is simple in construc- tion and inexpensive as it uses 1⁄8-inch cor- rugated cardboard as the primary building material, which greatly reduces both build- ing time and cost. The design makes use of cardboard’s unique features in that it can be used in large sections and folded. For in- stance, the wing is built of three pieces of cardboard scored and folded at the leading edge with cardboard ribs and a single spar. The tail surfaces and fuselage are primari- ly cardboard with little internal bracing re-
quired. The result is a low cost, fast build- ing model that has good scale like appear- ance and can take plenty of punishment at the flying field. Cardboard varies in weight, but any 1⁄8-
inch corrugated cardboard will do. Sources of this material include box manufacturers and local shopping centers where you can find stacks of discarded boxes. Look for cardboard with brown paper on one side and a white finished Kraft paper on the other side. The white paper on the outside of the
model results in a smoother finish and neater appearance. The method of folding the cardboard and the use of gummed paper tape to seal the joints and exposed corruga- tions are explained in the construction hints. The model has a wingspan of 60 inches
and a length of 42 inches. The bottom of the airfoil is flat with a curved upper surface, due to the scoring and folding technique em-
MAY 2012
By Chuck Felton
BirdDog
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