Cessna O-2A Skymaster

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Here we see a Cessna O-2A Skymaster, a militarized version of Cessna's civilian Model 337 light twin-engine business aircraft. It was used for forward air control (FAC) and psychological operations (PSYOPS) by the US military between 1967 and 2010. As with the civilian version, the Skymaster was a low-cost (only $92K) twin-engine piston-powered aircraft, with one engine in the nose of the aircraft and a second engine in the rear of the fuselage. The push-pull configuration meant a simpler single-engine operating procedure due to centerline thrust compared to the common low-wing mounting of most twin engine light planes, and also allowed for a high wing, providing clear observation below and behind the aircraft. It entered service in 1967 and was retired in 2010.

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Size: 6947px × 4631px
Location: Tucson, AZ
Photo credit: © B. David Cathell / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No

Keywords: -2a, air, arizona, az, bdavid, cessna, control, fac, force, museum, operations, pima, piston, psychological, psyops, push-pull, skymaster, space, tucson, twin-engine, usaf