The Curtiss O-52 Owl
(from Wiki)
Developed in 1939, the Curtiss O-52 was the last "heavy" observation aircraft developed for the US Army Air Corps. The concept of the two-seat observation aircraft, classed as the "O" series aircraft, dated to World War I, and in 1940, the Army Air Corps ordered 203 Curtiss O-52s for observation duties. By 1941, the O-52 was no match for modern combat conditions.
Following America's entry into World War II, the USAAF determined that the aircraft did not possess sufficient performance for "modern" combat operations in oversea areas. As a result, the O-52 was relegated to courier duties within the U.S. and short-range submarine patrol over the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
The O-52 was the last "O" type aircraft procured in quantity for the Air Corps. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the "O" designation was discontinued and the "L" series for liaison-type aircraft was adopted instead.
In November 1942, the USSR ordered 30 O-52 Owls through the Lend-Lease program. Twenty-six were shipped, with only 19 were delivered as a number were lost on the North Arctic Route.Of these only 10 were accepted into service.
They were used operationally for artillery fire spotting and general photographic and observation platforms in north and central areas on the Russian Front during spring–summer 1943. One O-52 was shot down by Luftwaffe fighters. The aircraft was generally disliked in Soviet use although
some were still flying into the 1950s.
General characteristics
Crew : 2
Length: 26 ft 4 in (8.03 m)
Wingspan: 40 ft 9 in (12.43 m)
Height: 9 ft 3 in (2.83 m)
Wing area: 210.4 ft² (19.55 m²)
Empty weight: 4,213 lb (1,919 kg)
Loaded weight: 5,364 lb (2,433 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-1340-51 radial engine, 600 hp (447 kW)
Good view of the office and interior canopy
Performance
Maximum speed: 220 mph (191 knots, 354 km/h)
Cruise speed: 192 mph (167 knots,309 km/h)
Range: 700 miles (609 nmi, 1,127 km)
Service ceiling: 21,000 ft (6,400 m)
Armament
Guns: 1 × forward and 1 × rearward firing .30-cal (7.62 mm) machine gun
Good view of top of rear canopy and upper wing arrangement.
I've just been doing a bit of reading about the campaign on Luzon in 1941-42 and this bird was mentioned.
I had never heard of it so here it is...
Kopfdorfer
Author
Topic: Curtiss O-52 Owl Observation Aircraft (Read 11116 times)
