Cessna O-1A 1674 Operation Palace Dog

These are 1/72 scale decals for Cessna O-1A Bird Dog 1674, operated by the CIA's Ravens under Operation Palace Dog.

The Ravens were a clandestine group of U.S. Air Force forward air controllers who flew covert combat missions in Laos during the Vietnam War era, operating under CIA direction as part of America's secret war in Southeast Asia. Officially, they did not exist. Flying in civilian clothes without military insignia, the Ravens directed airstrikes against North Vietnamese and Pathet Lao forces across the rugged Laotian highlands — some of the most dangerous flying of the entire conflict.

Operation Palace Dog was the program under which USAF pilots were temporarily assigned to the CIA's Air America and related operations in Laos, flying aircraft like the O-1A Bird Dog in the forward air control role. The distinctive ADC Gray scheme worn by these aircraft reflected their quasi-civilian, covert operational status — a far cry from standard military markings.

This is one of the most historically compelling and clandestine subjects in the entire Bird Dog family — a must-have for collectors interested in the secret war in Laos and CIA aviation operations.

Please allow some time for decal printing and shipping.