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O-52 Owl
| O-52 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Curtiss O-52 at National Museum of the United States Air Force | |
| Type | Reconnaissance |
| Manufacturer | Curtiss |
| Introduced | 1940 |
| Primary user | United States Army Air Corps |
| Produced | 203 |
| Unit cost | $31,000 |
The Curtiss O-52 "Owl" is an observation aircraft used by the United States Army Air Corps before and during World War II.
In 1940, the Air Corps ordered 203 Curtiss O-52s for observation duties. Upon delivery, the aircraft was used in military maneuvers with the U.S.A., but following America's entry into WW II, the AAF 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.A. 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 cancelled and "L" for liaison type aircraft was adopted to replace it.
In November 1942, the Soviet Union USSR ordered 30 O-52 Owls through the Lend-Lease program. Twenty-six were shipped and only 19 ever made it to their shores. Of these only 10 were accepted into service. They were used operationally for artillery-fire spotting and general photographic and observation platforms. Some were still flying into the 1950's. The aircraft was generally disliked in Soviet use.
Operators
Museum displays
Specifications (O-52)
General characteristics
- Length: 26 ft 4¾ in (8 m)
- Wingspan: 40 ft 9½ in (12.4 m)
- Height: 9 ft 11½ in (3 m)
- Loaded weight: 5,364 lb (2,433 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Pratt & Whitney R-1340-51 , 600 hp (447 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 215 mph (346 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 169 mph (272 km/h)
- Range: 455 miles (732 km)
- Service ceiling: 23,200 ft (7,100 m)
Armament
- 1 × forward and 1 × rearward firing .30-cal (7.62 mm) machine gun
This aircraft article is missing some (or all) of its specifications. If you have a source, you can help Wikipedia by adding them.See also
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| General | Timeline of aviation · Aircraft · Aircraft manufacturers · Aircraft engines · Aircraft engine manufacturers · Airports · Airlines |
| Military | Air forces · Aircraft weapons · Missiles · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) · Experimental aircraft |
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| Records | Flight airspeed record · Flight distance record · Flight altitude record · Flight endurance record · Most produced aircraft |
Template:USAAF observation aircraft Template:Curtiss aircraft
Lists relating to aviation | |
|---|---|
| General | Timeline of aviation · Aircraft · Aircraft manufacturers · Aircraft engines · Aircraft engine manufacturers · Airports · Airlines |
| Military | Air forces · Aircraft weapons · Missiles · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) · Experimental aircraft |
| Notable incidents and accidents | Military aviation · Airliners · General aviation · Famous aviation-related deaths |
| Records | Flight airspeed record · Flight distance record · Flight altitude record · Flight endurance record · Most produced aircraft |
| This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "O-52 Owl". |
