North American O-47 Explained

The North American O-47 is an American observation fixed-wing aircraft monoplane designed in the mid-1930s and used by the United States Army Air Corps during the Second World War. It has a low-wing configuration, retractable landing gear, and a three-blade propeller.

Design and development

The O-47 was developed as a replacement for the Thomas-Morse O-19 and Douglas O-38 observation biplanes. It was larger and heavier than most preceding observation aircraft and its crew of three sat in tandem under the long canopy. Windows in the deep belly overcame the obstacle that the wings presented to downward observation and photography. The design for the XO-47 prototype originated in 1934 with General Aviation Manufacturing, a subsidiary of North American Aviation, as the GA-15.[1] The Air Corps ordered 174 O-47s in 1937 to 1938, 93 of which were assigned to National Guard units. In 1938, the Army ordered 74 O-47Bs with a redesigned engine cowling for better cooling, an uprated engine, and improved radio equipment.

Operational history

Training maneuvers in 1941 demonstrated the shortcomings of the O-47. Single-engined light airplanes like the Piper L-4 and Stinson L-5 proved more capable of operating with ground troops, while fighters and twin engine bombers showed greater ability to perform recon and photo duties. Thus, O-47s during World War II, except for those caught at overseas bases by the Japanese attacks, were relegated to secondary duties such as towing targets, coastal patrol, and anti-submarine patrol.

Variants

XO-47: one built, serial number 36-145 in Dundalk, Maryland, 850 hp (634 kW) Wright R-1820-41 engine
  • O-47A: 164 built in Inglewood California, 975 hp (727 kW) Wright R-1820-49 engine
  • O-47B: 74 built, minor improvements and a 1,060 hp (790 kW) Wright R-1820-57 engine installed,[2] plus an extra 50 gallon fuel tank
  • Operators

    Surviving aircraft

    References

    Notes
  • Citations
  • Bibliography
  • External links

    Notes and References

    1. Eden and Moeng 2002, pp. 74–77.
    2. Swanborough and Bowers 1964
    3. Web site: North American O-47A . Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum . Smithsonian Institution . 30 July 2018 . 31 July 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180731062106/https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/north-american-o-47a . dead .
    4. Web site: Goodall . Geoffrey . North American . Geoff Goodall's Aviation History Site . Geoffrey Goodall . 30 July 2018 . 14 June 2018.
    5. Web site: North American O-47B (FAA Reg. No. N73716) . Combat Air Museum . 30 July 2018 . 12 August 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170812225234/http://www.combatairmuseum.org/aircraft/namerican047b.html . dead .
    6. Web site: FAA REGISTRY [N73716] ]. Federal Aviation Administration . U.S. Department of Transportation . 30 July 2018 . 30 July 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180730234838/http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N73716 . dead .
    7. Web site: North American O-47B . National Museum of the US Air Force . 30 July 2018 . 7 April 2015.
    8. Web site: Restoration Projects . Planes of Fame . 30 July 2018.