Douglas O-38
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| O-38 | |
|---|---|
 Douglas O-38F at National Museum of the United States Air Force |
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| Type | Observation plane |
| Manufacturer | Douglas Aircraft Company |
| Primary user | United States Army Air Corps |
| Produced | 1931–1934 |
| Number built | 156 |
| Unit cost | $12,000 |
The Douglas O-38 was an observation airplane used by the United States Army Air Corps.
Between 1931 and 1934, Douglas built 156 O-38s for the Air Corps, eight of which were O-38Fs. Some were still in service at the time of the Pearl Harbor Attack in 1941.
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[edit] Variants
O-38: derivative of the O-25 but with the 525-hp (391-kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1690-3 radial engine and Townend ring cowling; the National Guard received all 44 production aircraft
O-38A: single unarmed O-38 staff liaison machine for the National Guard
O-38B: derivative of the O-38 with the R-1690-5 engine; total production was 63, comprising 30 for USAAC observation squadrons and 33 for the National Guard
O-38C: single aircraft similar to the O-38B for use by US Coast Guard
O-38E: model with a wider and deeper fuselage on the lines of the private-venture O-38S, with a sliding canopy over the cockpits and the powerplant of one 625-hp (466-kW) R-1690-3 radial engine driving a metal propeller; could be operated on twin Edo floats; the National Guard took delivery of 37 such aircraft
O-38F: eight unarmed staff liaison aircraft delivered to the National Guard in 1933 with the powerplant of one R-1690-9 engine and a revised, fully enclosed canopy
O-38P Almost identical to the E/F series. Six planes delivered to Perú in February 1933, fitted with Edo floats; Three took part in the conflict against Colombia and took part in air combats against Colombian Curtiss F-11C Hawks, one being lost as consequence of damage received during those clashes. Survivors were converted to wheels and served as trainers until 1940.
O-38S: private-venture development of the O-38 with a wider and deeper fuselage, crew canopy and smooth-cowled 575-hp, (429-kW) Wright R-1820-E Cyclone radial engine; in effect was the prototype of the O-38E
A-6: proposed use of the O-38 as a radio-controlled target drone (cancelled)
[edit] Museum Displays
[edit] Specifications (0-38B)
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: two
- Length: 32 ft (9.75 m)
- Wingspan: 40 ft (12.2 m)
- Height: 10 ft 8 in (3.25 m)
- Wing area: 371 ft2 (34.5 m2)
- Empty weight: 3,072 lb (1,393 kg)
- Loaded weight: 4,458 lb (2,022 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 5,401 lb maximum (2,500 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Pratt & Whitney R-1690-5, 525 hp (391.5 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 149 mph (240 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 128 mph (206 km/h)
- Range: 563 miles (906 km)
- Service ceiling 19,750 ft (6,020 m)
- Rate of climb: 943.4 ft/min (287.5 m/min)
Armament
- 2 × .30-cal (7.62 mm) machine guns, one fixed forward-firing and one flexible plus 4 × 100 lb bombs
[edit] References
- 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.
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