Post WW 2 photo of interest

[Stig Jarlevik]

Hi All

I found this photo quite interesting. It is a Cessna L-19A and can be found here
https://www.ebay.de/itm/295186376401...Cclp%3A2047675

Unfortunately the seller is trying to get more money out of it by making false guesses (which I dislike
immensely)

Disregarding that, I think it shows a US Army L-19A in Korea (K for Kimpo?)

Anyone with better knowledge than me who can tell me more?

Cheers
Stig

[Leendert]

Stig,

Need some further browsing, but first guess is that "35" points to an Army division and "K" is for this individual L-19.

L-4 Cub artillery spotters during WW 2 in ETO and elsewhere had like identifications.

Regards,
Leendert

[Buckeye30]

Leendert. I don't think it's the WW2 system when Liason and Field Artillery units were allocated 2-number designators before D-Day (eg. 39 for V. Corps Field Artillery or 63 for 2nd. Armoured Div.) plus an aircraft letter.
In Korea they had large white "ARMY" (or "MARINES") on the fuselage ( Marines had numbers also) with the serial for ID. The insignia on the tail could be the USAF seal (?). Maybe an Army HQ. but not sure.

(in Italy and France in WW2 the 5th./ 7th. Armies usually used 2-letter codes ).


Regards
Nick

[Stig Jarlevik]

Leendert/Nick

Thanks a lot for your contribution, so far....
It seems the US Army card for this aircraft is missing (or at least has not been located)
All I can see (probably from Cessna records) is that it was manufactured 10 Dec 1951. It is listed by Cessna
as "Export", which means it was packed and sent to Korea under a US Army contract. After that it is a blank.
This probably also means it never returned to USA again. Of course guessing here...

Since my initial request, I have looked at numerous Army L-19/O-1 photos and none comes even close
carrying these markings. Not in Korea, not in Vietnam and not even State Side!

The photos I have seen (very few) of L-19s in Korea shows basically nothing on the fuselage.
The ARMY in white seen on the fuselage sides Nick all refer to Vietnam. As far as I can see the US Army
only had that stated on the top of the fin during the Korean conflict.

So, for what it's worth, I still put my two cents bet on Korea....

Cheers
Stig

[Buckeye30]

Thanks Stig.
For future reference on Korea these may be useful.....
Regards
Nick


https://www.koreanwar.org/html/lookusaf.htm
https://media.defense.gov/2010/May/2..._Campaigns.pdf

[Stig Jarlevik]

Originally Posted by Buckeye30

https://www.koreanwar.org/html/lookusaf.htm
https://media.defense.gov/2010/May/2..._Campaigns.pdf

Very useful Nick

Thanks

Cheers
Stig

[hanshauprich]

Hello,
I think the photo was taken in Germany, 1950-1960, look the young boys with the typical clothing at that time. And the patch from the 7th Army at the engine of the plane!! 7th Army HQ was in Heidelberg at that time.
hans

[Buckeye30]

Thanks Hans, looks like you are quite right; I just remembered this photo, in Germany 1954.
51-7328 was delivered on Nov. 27 1951 for service in Europe as an L-19A.
The 2nd and 3rd planes have the Army insignia but not apparently in full colour (was red-yellow-blue).
http://www.usarmygermany.com/units/7...0Army%2018.htm


Regards
Nick

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks Hans

Sounds plausible to me. Seems the Cessna Bird Dog book could be wrong stating everything listed
as "Export" went to Korea. One can't trust anyone anymore....

Cheers
Stig