The US Army contract for the Cessna L-19 "Bird Dog" was signed in 1950. At the time, the US Army was only interested in buying 418 of them. Production for the Bir Dog ended in 1962 after over 3,400 had been built. Based on the civilian Cessna 170 model, it was modified to fit the need of the US Army for liaison and spotting duties. It could carry a standard military stretcher as well as a variety of rockets.
