Cessna "Bird Dog".

mm, keep forgetting that I have this blog. This "display"was supposed to be in conjunction with the T-28 Trojan, but the Trojan had some difficulties getting airborne at the time and didn't quite make the "rendezvous", so the Cessna had to pretend to be a heavy hitter.

From the Airshow programme.

VH-FXY. This aircraft was the second to last one of the 1915 made and was flown by a National Guard unit in the USA from 1953 until 1969. In that year it was converted for military use and fitted with self sealing fuel tanks, rocket launcher and anti ground-loop axles.

Shipped to Vietnam later that year, it was flown by the 219th RAC where it collected over 40 bullet holes in service, a testament to the dangers of low level flying.

Given to the South Vietnamese in 1972 it eventually fell into the hands of the North Vietnamese.

In 1989, Col Pay procured this, and several other aircraft from Saigon and so this Bird Dog came to Australia. Rob Fox bought this aircraft from another owner, but it had been dismantled and parts were scattered all up the Eastern seaboard of Australia. So began a 9 year restoration during which Rob even met with one of the former pilots from the USA.

Rob can be very proud of 0-12471, a typically difficult but highly rewarding restoration of a warbird with a rich history.

Rob Fox is currently editor of Flight Path aviation magazine.

(click pic , not "play")