Consolidated O-17 Courier

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O-17 Courier
Consolidated O-17 Maryland NG in flight 1931.jpg
A Maryland Air National Guard Consolidated O-17
General information
TypeObservation
Manufacturer Consolidated Aircraft Company
Primary users United States National Guard
Number built35
History
Manufactured1928
First flightApril 1927
Developed from Consolidated PT-3

The Consolidated O-17 Courier (company designation Model 2) was an observation and training aircraft used by the United States National Guard.

Contents

Development

A parallel development to the Consolidated PT-3 series, the XO-17 was a converted PT-3 with such refinements as improved fuselage streamlining, oleo shock absorbers, wheel brakes, balanced elevators and increased fuel capacity. [1]

It was used almost exclusively as a cross-country flying, gunnery, photographic and radio trainer. [2] The O-17 had a removable fairing (carrying a Scarff ring mounting for one .30 cal (7.62 mm) trainable Browning machine gun).

The Royal Canadian Air Force purchased three generally similar aircraft, two Model 7 landplanes and one Model 8 floatplane, the latter with the same float gear as the NY series.

The sole XO-17A was converted from the PT-3 as a demonstrator that failed to secure any orders. [2] It was later fitted with the experimental Packard DR-980 Diesel engine of 225 hp (168 kW). [1]

The Model 15 was also an O-17 type airframe fitted with a Pratt & Whitney R-1340 engine. It too failed to win any contracts. [2]

Variants

XO-17 (prototype)
Consolidated PT-3 Conversion with a 225 hp (168 kW) Wright R-790-1 engine, streamlined fuselage, modified undercarriage, increased fuel capacity, provision for dual controls and a dorsal 0.3 in (7.62 mm) gun, one conversion. [3]
O-17 Model 2 Courier
Production version for United States National Guard use, 29 built. [2]
XO-17A (prototype)
One Consolidated PT-3 converted with a Wright R-790-3 engine intended for export. [3]
Model 7 (RCAF landplane)
Royal Canadian Air Force, two built. [2]
Model 8 (RCAF floatplane)
Royal Canadian Air Force, one built. [2]
XPT-8 (demonstrator)
The airframe of the XO-17A prototype fitted with a Packard DR-980 Diesel engine of 225 hp (168 kw), scrapped in 1932. [1]
XPT-8A
A single PT-3A (29-115) similarly converted with a Packard DR-980 Diesel engine with Project Number 'P-564', [4] but returned to PT-3A configuration. [5] The airframe was subsequently lost in a fatal midair with a P-12C of the 17th Pursuit Squadron 2 miles W of New Baltimore, Michigan on 17 December 1931. [6]
Model 15 (demonstrator)
Conversion with a Pratt & Whitney R-1340 engine. [2]

Operators

Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Canada
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg  United States
Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey

Specifications

Consolidated Courier 3-view drawing from L'Air April 15, 1928 Consolidated Courier 3-view L'Air April 15,1928.png
Consolidated Courier 3-view drawing from L'Air April 15, 1928

Data from Eden & Moeng (2002) [2]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Swanborough, F. G.; Bowers, Peter M. (1964), United States Military Aircraft Since 1909, New York: Putnam, ISBN   0-85177-816-X
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Eden, Paul; Moeng, Soph (2002), The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft, London: Amber Books, ISBN   978-0-7607-3432-2
  3. 1 2 Andrade, John M. (1979), U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials Since 1909, Hinckley, UK: Midland Counties Publications, ISBN   0-904597-22-9
  4. "1922-1929 USAAS-USAAC Serial Numbers".
  5. Andrade, John M. U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Earl Shilton, Leicester: Midland Counties Publications, 1979. ISBN   0-904597-22-9, page 198.
  6. "1931 USAAC Accident Reports".