Douglas O-43
{{short description|US military observation aircraft introduced 1930}}
{{Infobox aircraft
|name = O-43
|image = File:Douglas O-43.jpg
|caption =
|type = Observation
|manufacturer = Douglas Aircraft Company
|designer =
|first_flight =
|introduction = 1930
|retired =
|status =
|primary_user = United States Army Air Corps
|more_users =
|produced =
|number_built = 24"U.S. Army Aircraft 1908-1946" by James C. Fahey, 1946, 64pp.
|unit cost =
|developed_from=Douglas O-31
|variants = Douglas O-46
}}
The Douglas O-43 was a monoplane observation aircraft used by the United States Army Air Corps.
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 National Guard units,"The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft" [http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/5490000/5496066.gif 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. 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.
Specifications (O-43A)
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=McDonnell Douglas aircraft since 1920 : Volume I,{{cite book |last1=Francillon |first1=René J. |title=McDonnell Douglas aircraft since 1920 : Volume I |date=1988 |publisher=Naval Institute Press |location=London |isbn=0870214284 |pages=111–118}} United States military aircraft since 1909{{cite book |last1=Swanborough |first1=F. G. |last2=Bowers |first2=Peter M. |title=United States military aircraft since 1909 |date=1971 |publisher=Putnam |location=London |isbn=0370000943 |pages=231–233 |edition=Revised}}
|prime units?=imp
|crew=2
|length ft=33
|length in=11
|length note=
|span ft=45
|span in=11
|span note=
|height ft=12
|height in=3
|height note=
|wing area sqft=334
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=
|airfoil=
|empty weight lb=4135
|empty weight note=
|gross weight lb=5300
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight lb=
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
|eng1 number=
|eng1 name=Curtiss V-1570-59 Conqueror
|eng1 type=V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine
|eng1 hp=675
|prop blade number=3
|prop name=metal propeller
|prop dia ft=
|prop dia in=
|prop dia note=
|max speed mph=190
|max speed note=
|cruise speed mph=163
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed mph=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed note=
|range miles=
|range note=
|combat range miles=
|combat range note=
|ferry range miles=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=
|ceiling ft=22400
|ceiling note=
|g limits=
|roll rate=
|climb rate ftmin=
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude={{cvt|5000|ft}} in 3 minutes 18 seconds
|wing loading lb/sqft=15.8
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/mass={{cvt|0.127|hp/lb|kW/kg}}
|more performance=
|guns= 1x fixed and 1x flexible .30 cal (7.62 mm) Browning machine gun
|bombs=
|rockets=
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|hardpoints=
|hardpoint capacity=
|hardpoint rockets=
|hardpoint missiles=
|hardpoint bombs=
|hardpoint other=
|avionics=
}}
See also
{{Portal|Aviation}}
{{aircontent|
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References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Douglas O-43}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20071005105403/http://www.usaaf.net/has/jops/O43.htm The United States Army Air Forces in World War II]
- [http://www.boeing.com/history/ Boeing History]
- [http://www.aerofiles.com/ Aerofiles]
{{Douglas aircraft}}
{{USAAF observation aircraft}}
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