They were designed as forward air controller (fac) and carried phosphorus rockets to mark enemy position as well as mini gun pods. Today, many are still seeing active roll for government contractors because they are the cheapest thing out there with hardpoints to use for training, border patrol with FLEER pods, and other uses, plus just toys for big boys. Family has been friends with Don for at least 30 years. I am suppose to paint his current O2 build for a client first part of next year.

I clicked on this wondering why we needed a second Air Wagner thread.

I say it's the Bamboo Bomber

I’m having a hard time with “intimidating” and “Cessna” in the same sentence.

Mike, I knew about the O-2’s service history; I’m just surprised to see what looks like a pair of Mk.81s hanging from the hard points.

Am I wrong for scanning the ground in the pic looking for the Rust-oleum cans?

On of my Air Force Academy roomies was shot down and KIA in an O2 in Viet Nam.

Cool machines. I nearly pulled the trigger on one a few years ago, and the owner mentioned during a trip to Mexico, the fuel provider invoiced the USAF! The real find is one with the large pilot's window - like a greenhouse - rather than the stock C337 window arrangement. The roof skylights, UHF, etc. make for an authentic warbird. Highly recommend a solid link to Don Nieser at Commodore Aerospace, as other have mentioned, as the type is known for some (manageable) idiosyncrasies.

It appears that (and I could be wrong) that that O-2 has a STOL kit and VGs installed. Look at the wing tips and the area visable in the landing light area. Appears to have the drooped/cuffed leading edge kit installed.

Also replaced by the OA-37 and then the OA-10. Never seen an O-2 with bombs but I have shot hundreds of WP rockets from them peace time.

Rocky, was your classmate Bruce Coulliard(sp)? Bruce, too, was killed in an O-2 during Viet Nam. He was a B-52 co-pilot at Altus AFB and assigned to the O-2.

Since the hard points are standardized, you could hang about anything you want off them. I'm sure the owner thought it would look cool with them. Don never flew to shows with anything on hardpoints, WAAAY to much drag. My uncle would usually fly to the show and Don would drive there with dummy ordnance for "display".

Since the hard points are standardized, you could hang about anything you want off them. I'm sure the owner thought it would look cool with them. Don never flew to shows with anything on hardpoints, WAAAY to much drag. My uncle would usually fly to the show and Don would drive there with dummy ordnance for "display".

Having a black airplane in Marfa Texas is insane - I’d hate to operate that thing in the middle of a hot West Texas summer day - I would be intimidated just getting near that thing - the owner must be a masochist!