Warbirds are known to be expensive to own and operate. Here could be one of your other choices.

The SIAI-Marchetti SM.1019 is an Italian STOL liaison monoplane built by SIAI-Marchetti for the Italian Army and based on the Cessna O-1 Bird Dog.

To meet an Italian Army requirement for a short take-off liaison aircraft, SIAI-Marchetti modified the design of the Cessna 305A/O-1 Bird Dog with a new turboprop engine and a revised tail unit. The prototype first flew on 24 May 1969 powered by a 317 hp (236 kW) Allison 250- B15C turboprop engine. It was evaluated against the Aermacchi AM.3 and was successful and won a production order for 80 aircraft.

Performance

Cruise speed: 296 km/h (184 mph, 160 knots) max at sea level. 300 km/h (190 mph; 160 knots) max cruise speed at 2,500 m (8,200 ft.). 281 km/h (175 mph; 152 knots) 75% power cruise speed at 2,500 m (8,200 ft.)

Stall speed: 98 km/h (61 mph, 53 knots) flaps up. 70 km/h (43 mph; 38 knots) flaps extended

Never Exceed Speed: 313 km/h (194 mph, 169 knots)

Range: 925 km (575 mi, 499 n/miles) at sea level. 1,090 km (680 mi; 590 n/miles)

First Flight: 24 May 1969 Total Number built: 86

The Original Bird Dog The U.S. Army was searching for an aircraft that could adjust artillery fire, as well as perform liaison duties, and preferably be constructed of all metal, as the fabric-covered liaison aircraft used during World War II, (primarily Stinson and Piper products) had short service lives. The U.S. Army issued the specification for a two-seat liaison and observation monoplane, and the Cessna Aircraft Company submitted the Cessna Model 305A, a development of the Cessna 170. The Cessna 305A was a single-engine, lightweight, strut-braced, high-wing monoplane with a tailwheel landing gear. The greatest difference from the Cessna 170 was that the 305A had only two seats, in tandem configuration (the largest tandem-seat aircraft Cessna ever produced), with angled side windows to improve ground observation. Other differences included a redesigned rear fuselage, providing a view directly to the rear (a feature later dubbed “Omni-View”, carried over to Cessna single-engine aircraft after 1964), and transparent panels in the wings’ centre-section over the cockpit (similar to those found on the Cessna 140 and the later Cessna 150 Aerobat model), which allowed the pilot to look directly overhead. A wider door was fitted to allow a stretcher to be loaded.

First Flight: December 14, 1949 Number built: 3,431