Douglas O-38

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O-38
Douglas O-38F at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in 2005
Role Observation plane
Manufacturer Douglas Aircraft Company
Primary user United States Army Air Corps
Produced 1931–1934
Number built 156

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

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.
O-38
derivative of the
National Guard
received all 44 production aircraft
O-38A
single unarmed O-38 staff liaison machine for the National Guard
Maryland National Guard
O-38B
derivative of the O-38 with an
National Guard
O-38C
single aircraft similar to the O-38B for use by
US Coast Guard
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)
National Guard
took delivery of 37 such aircraft
O-38F
eight unarmed staff liaison aircraft delivered to the
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

 Colombia
  • Colombian Air Force
    - One captured from Peru in 1933 and returned to Peru in 1934.
 Haiti
 Peru
 United States

Surviving aircraft

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

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 31 ft 0 in (9.45 m)
  • Wingspan: 40 ft 0 in (12.19 m)
  • Height: 10 ft 8 in (3.25 m)
  • Wing area: 362 sq ft (33.6 m2)
  • Airfoil: Göttingen 398[6]
  • Empty weight: 3,070 lb (1,393 kg)
  • Gross weight: 4,343 lb (1,970 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 4,456 lb (2,021 kg)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 150 mph (240 km/h, 130 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 120 mph (190 km/h, 100 kn)
  • Range: 275 mi (443 km, 239 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 19,000 ft (5,800 m)
  • Rate of climb: 1,500 ft/min (7.6 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 12 lb/sq ft (59 kg/m2)
  • Power/mass: 0.12 hp/lb (0.20 kW/kg)

Armament

  • Guns: 2 × .30 in (7.62 mm) machine guns, one fixed forward-firing and one flexible
  • Bombs: 4 × 100 lb (45 kg) bombs

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. ISBN 0870214284
    .
  5. ISBN 0370000943
    .
  6. ^ Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.

Further reading

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Douglas O-38.
  • "Douglas O-38F". National Museum of the US Air Force. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
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