Douglas O-38

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O-38
Douglas O-38F USAF.jpg
Douglas O-38F at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in 2005
RoleObservation plane
Manufacturer Douglas Aircraft Company
Primary user United States Army Air Corps
Produced1931–1934
Number built156

The Douglas O-38 was an observation airplane used by the United States Army Air Corps.

Contents

Between 1931 and 1934, Douglas built 156 O-38s for the Air Corps, eight of which were O-38Fs. Some were still in service at the time of the Pearl Harbor Attack in 1941.

The O-38 is a modernized derivative of the O-25, itself a re-engined variant of the earlier Douglas O-2.

Variants

O-38Bs from the 112th Observation Squadron, Ohio National Guard, in 1936. Douglas O-38s Ohio ANG in flight 1936.jpg
O-38Bs from the 112th Observation Squadron, Ohio National Guard, in 1936.
O-38
derivative of the Curtiss Conqueror-engined O-25 but with a 525-hp (391-kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1690-3 radial engine and Townend ring cowling; the National Guard received all 44 production aircraft
O-38A
single unarmed O-38 staff liaison machine for the National Guard
O-38B for the Maryland National Guard Douglas O-38B Maryland NG 1934.jpg
O-38B for the Maryland National Guard
O-38B
derivative of the O-38 with an R-1690-5 engine; total production was 63, comprising 30 for USAAC observation squadrons and 33 for the National Guard
O-38C
single aircraft similar to the O-38B for use by US Coast Guard
O-38E Douglas O-38E California NG (5106171511).jpg
O-38E
O-38E
model with a wider and deeper fuselage on the lines of the private-venture O-38S, with a sliding canopy over the cockpits and a 625-hp (466-kW) R-1690-13 radial engine driving a metal propeller; could be operated on twin Edo floats; the National Guard took delivery of 37 such aircraft
O-38F
eight unarmed staff liaison aircraft delivered to the National Guard in 1933 with an R-1690-9 engine and a revised, fully enclosed canopy
O-38P
Almost identical to the E/F series. Six aircraft delivered to Perú in February 1933, fitted with Edo floats; Three took part in the conflict against Colombia, and took part in air combats against Colombian Curtiss Hawk IIs, one being lost as consequence of damage received during those clashes. Survivors were converted to wheels, and served as trainers until 1940.
O-38S
private-venture development of the O-38 with a wider and deeper fuselage, crew canopy and a smooth-cowled 575 hp (429 kW) Wright R-1820-E Cyclone radial engine; in effect was the prototype of the O-38E
A-6
proposed use of the O-38 as a radio-controlled target drone (cancelled)

Operators

Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia
Flag of Haiti.svg  Haiti
Flag of Peru.svg  Peru
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States

Surviving aircraft

O-38F on display at the National Museum of the USAF Douglas O-38F (5-19-2022).jpg
O-38F on display at the National Museum of the USAF

Specifications (O-38B)

Data from McDonnell Douglas aircraft since 1920 : Volume I, [4] United States military aircraft since 1908 [5]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

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References

  1. "Douglas O-38F". National Museum of the United States Air Force (NMUSAF). 7 April 2015. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  2. Miller, Ed Mack (February 1969). "Operation O-38: A Salvage Adventure in Alaska's 'Deep Freeze'". Air Force and Space Digest. Vol. 52, no. 2. pp. 56–60. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  3. Informational film playing in museum to accompany display
  4. Francillon, René J. (1988). McDonnell Douglas aircraft since 1920 : Volume I. London: Naval Institute Press. pp. 62–81. ISBN   0870214284.
  5. Swanborough, F. G.; Bowers, Peter M. (1971). United States military aircraft since 1908 (Rev. ed.). London: Putnam. pp. 223–228. ISBN   0370000943.
  6. Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.

Further reading