| O-43 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Observation |
| Manufacturer | Douglas Aircraft Company |
| Primary user | United States Army Air Corps |
| Number built | 24 [1] |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 1930 |
| 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.
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
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