The Cessna T-41 Mescalero was the military variant of the highly successful Cessna 172 Skyhawk. In the C&C Roleplay, the T-41 would serve as the basic trainer of the Paternian Air Force for a century and a half. This particular machine was modified to test the validity of the concept of a side-firing gunship in 1961. To do this, it was fitted with a single, fixed .50 caliber machine gun firing out the left window. Tests showed that the gun was very accurate, even when using a simple crosshair made from a grease pencil drawn on the left window.

While the conversion was not considered suitable for combat due to its low speed and lack of armor, the aircraft itself converted back into a trainer afterwards, the experiment was considered successful and the concept warranted further exploration. This would lead to the AC-47 and AC-130 gunships. Of note, some operators did arm their Cessna 172/T-41 with rockets, gun pods, light bombs, and even anti-tank missiles. Sometimes guns were fitted into the fuselage, much like this aircraft. This was to provide an inexpensive platform for weapons training or as counter-insurgency aircraft.

To fix the cockpit view to the left camera, use (AG1) and LandingGear so the crosshair points out the left window. For those who prefer to turn the camera, a gunsight is provided.