Douglas O-43
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| 0-43 | |
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 Douglas O-43 |
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| Type | Observation |
| Manufacturer | Douglas Aircraft Company |
| Introduced | 1930 |
| Primary user | United States Army Air Corps |
| Number built | 24[1] |
| Variants | Douglas O-31 |
The Douglas O-43 was a monoplane observation aircraft used by the United States Army Air Corps.
Contents |
[edit] Development
Five Y1O-31A service-test aircraft were ordered in 1931, and delivered to the USAAC in early 1933 designated Y1O-43. They differed from the final configuration of the O-31A, with a wire-braced parasol wing, and a new fin and rudder. An order for 23 O-43A aircraft was completed during 1934, with a deepened fuselage, which eliminated the need for the ventral bulge under the observer's position. Powered by a single 675 hp Curtiss V-1570-59 inline engine, it also had taller vertical surfaces with an inset rudder similar to the O-31A. The canopy was enlarged, and fully enclosed both cockpits. The O-43 and O-43A served with the USSAC observation squadrons for several years before being assigned to reserve National Guard units[2], such as the 111th Observation Squadron Brownwood Airfield Texas, 15th Observation Squadron Fort Sill Oklahoma, and 3rd Observation Squadron Langley Field Virginia.
The 24th airframe of the O-43A contract was completed as the XO-46 prototype (see Douglas O-46).
[edit] Specifications (O-43)
Data from "United States Military Aircraft Since 1909" by F. G. Swanborough & Peter M. Bowers (Putnam New York, ISBN 085177816X) 1964, 596 pp.
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 33 ft 11 in (10.34 m)
- Wingspan: 45 ft 8 in (13.92 m)
- Height: 12 ft 3 in (3.74 m)
- Wing area: 340 ft² (31.6 m²)
- Airfoil: fabric covered parasol
- Empty weight: 4,135 lb (1,875.6 kg)
- Loaded weight: 5,300 lb (2404 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Curtiss V-1570-59 water-cooled V12 inline engine, 675 hp (540 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 190 mph (306 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 163 mph (262 km/h)
- Service ceiling 22,400 ft (6827.52 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,515 ft/min (462 m/min)
Armament
- 1 fixed and 1 flexible .30 cal (7.62 mm) Browning machine gun
[edit] References
- ^ "U.S. Army Aircraft 1908-1946" by James C. Fahey, 1946, 64pp.
- ^ "The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft" cover Editors: Paul Eden & Soph Moeng, (Amber Books Ltd. Bradley's Close, 74-77 White Lion Street, London, NI 9PF, 2002, ISBN 0-7607-3432-1), 1152 pp.
[edit] External links
[edit] See also
Related development
Comparable aircraft
Related lists
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