Douglas O-43

0-43
Role	Observation
Manufacturer	Douglas Aircraft Company
Introduction	1930
Primary user	United States Army Air Corps
Number built	24[1]
Variants	Douglas O-31

The Douglas O-43 was a monoplane observation aircraft used by the United States Army Air Corps.

Development

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 (see Douglas O-46).

Specifications (O-43)

Data from "United States Military Aircraft Since 1909" by F. G. Swanborough & Peter M. Bowers (Putnam New York, ISBN 085177816X) 1964, 596 pp.

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: 33 ft 11 in (10.34 m)
• Wingspan: 45 ft 8 in (13.92 m)
• Height: 12 ft 3 in (3.74 m)
• Wing area: 340 ft² (31.6 m²)
• Airfoil: fabric covered parasol
• Empty weight: 4,135 lb (1,875.6 kg)
• Loaded weight: 5,300 lb (2404 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × Curtiss V-1570-59 water-cooled V12 inline engine, 675 hp (540 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 190 mph (306 km/h)
• Cruise speed: 163 mph (262 km/h)
• Service ceiling: 22,400 ft (6827.52 m)
• Rate of climb: 1,515 ft/min (462 m/min)

Armament

• 1 fixed and 1 flexible .30 cal (7.62 mm) Browning machine gun

See also

Related development

• Douglas O-31
• Douglas O-46
  

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• Breguet 270 Series
• Heinkel He 46
• RWD-14 Czapla
  

Related lists

• List of military aircraft of the United States
  

References

1. ^ "U.S. Army Aircraft 1908-1946" by James C. Fahey, 1946, 64pp.
2. ^ "The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft" cover Editors: Paul Eden & Soph Moeng, (Amber Books Ltd. Bradley's Close, 74-77 White Lion Street, London, NI 9PF, 2002, ISBN 0-7607-3432-1), 1152 pp.

External links

• The United States Army Air Forces in World War II
• Boeing History
• Aerofiles