The Douglas O-43 was a monoplane observation aircraft used by the United States Army Air Corps.
| O-43 | |
|---|---|
| Role | Observation Type of aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Douglas Aircraft Company |
| Introduction | 1930 |
| Primary user | United States Army Air Corps |
| Number built | 24[1] |
| Developed from | Douglas O-31 |
| Variants | Douglas O-46 |
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,[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.
Data from McDonnell Douglas aircraft since 1920 : Volume I[3], United States military aircraft since 1909[4]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
Douglas military aircraft | |
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| Fighters | |
| Ground attack | |
| Bombers | |
| Observation | |
| Patrol | |
| Reconnaissance | |
| Transports | |
| Gliders | |
| Training aircraft | |
| Experimental |
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United States observation aircraft designations, USAAC/USAAF and Tri-Service systems | |||
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| USAAC/USAAF sequence (1924–1942) |
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| Tri-service sequence (1962–present) |
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1 Unconfirmed | |||