| North American | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
|
O-47 #
|
||||||||||||
%20(8X4).jpg) |
||||||||||||
|
Photo:
Robert Deering 10/18/2012 National Museum of the USAF Dayton, Ohio |
||||||||||||
|
In 1934 North
American Aviation developed the O-47 to
replace the O-19 and O-38 observation
biplanes. Larger and heavier than most
preceding observation aircraft, its crew of
three sat in tandem under the long canopy.
Since the wings restricted downward
observation and photography, North American
put windows in the aircraft's deep belly.
The U.S. Army Air Corps ordered 174 O-47s in
1937, and National Guard units received 93
of them. In 1938 the Army ordered 74 O-47Bs,
which had a redesigned engine cowling for
better cooling, a more powerful engine, and
improved radio equipment.
Training maneuvers in 1941 demonstrated the O-47's shortcomings. Lighter airplanes proved more capable of operating with ground troops, and fighters and twin-engine bombers showed greater ability to perform reconnaissance and photographic duties. Therefore, the Army relegated the O-47 to towing targets or to flying coastal and antisubmarine patrols. |
||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
