The International Bird Dog Association (IBDA) celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the first production Cessna L-19/OE-1/0-1 Bird Dogs on July 17th through the 19th, 2000, at the Kansas Aviation Museum in Wichita, Kansas. Over 50 Bird Dogs were on the museum’s ramp for the three-day event.
Cessna employees who designed, built and test flew the Bird Dog in 1950 were on hand. Special guests included Colonel Kenneth Hughey, a former USAF Forward Air Controller in the Bird Dog, who was shot down over North Vietnam in an F-4 Phantom and subsequently a POW for 5 years 8 months. Also, VNAF Major Bung Ly who landed his Bird Dog on the aircraft carrier USS Midway, saving the lives of his wife and five children who were in the two-place aircraft with him.
For information, go to www.L-19Bowwow.com or call the Kansas Aviation Museum at area code 316-683-9242.