Mekong Mauler

Building on the success of World War II liaison aircraft made by Stinson and Piper, the Cessna Aircraft Company won a 1949 contract for the next-generation Forward Air Control aircraft, which served American forces in both Korea and Vietnam. The ubiquitous L-19/O-1 also served many other nations, including Italy, where a handful of privately owned Bird Dogs still fly. The newest O-1 to grace Italian skies was restored by a passionate young aviator who chose to honor a specific Bird Dog that was flown by Rick Shoup over the jungles of South Vietnam. This is the story of the new Mekong Mauler.