North American BC-1

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The North American BC-1 was the basic combat airplane used by the United States Army Air Corps from 1936-1940. It was the production version of the NA-26 prototype, with retractable tailwheel landing gear and the provision for armaments, a two-way radio, and the 550 hp (410 kW) R-1340-47 engine as standard equipment. Production versons included the BC-1 (Model NA-36) with only minor modifications (177 built), of which 30 were modified as BC-1I instrument trainers; the BC-1A (NA-55) with airframe revisions (93 built); and a single BC-1B with a modified wing centre-section.

[edit] Specifications (BC-1)

General characteristics

  • Crew: two
  • Length: 28 ft 0 in (8.5 m)
  • Wingspan: 42 ft 7 in (12.9 m)
  • Height: 11 ft 9 in (3.5 m)
  • Loaded weight: 5,223 lb (2,368 kg)
  • Powerplant:Pratt & Whitney R-1340-47 Wasp , 550 hp (410 kW)

Performance

Armament

  • Provisions for one forward-firing cowl-mounted .30 cal. machine gun and one trainable .30 cal. machine gun in the rear cockpit.

[edit] Operators