Curtiss O-52 Owl

[Skyediamonds]

I can see the family resemblance. Just take off the lower wings, remove the center support struts (or cabane struts) & stick the top wing to the fuselage, add a green house canopy & modify the tail. Hmmmm yeah, I have to agree it would take a bit of work.

 

[nuuumannn]

Mm, it would be nice to see the Owl as a kit though.

 

[at6]

I think that Execuform may have produced a vacuform kit of the O-52.

 

[Skyediamonds]

I'd like to see that too. Those unique landing gears combined with that green house just begs for detailing. The wings have full span operating slats by the way. I could also see the reaction of many modelers & aviation enthusiasts saying to each other, " Oh, that's just a 'what-if concept' that was kit bashed by the builder," that is until they see photos of the full sized aircraft right by the model.

 

[PFVA63]

Hi,
After digging a little further I found that there was a Czech company called Pavla that did a 1/72 scale limited run but I haven't seen it for sale anywhere on the internet
Pat

Scalemates

 

[Capt. Vick]

Don't know about Pavla, but AML makes one in 1/72 scale and there are two for sale on Ebay right now.

 

[Skyediamonds]

Wow! You have a link to eBay? I'd like yo check out the O-47.

 

[Capt. Vick]

Just type in the description

 

[PFVA63]

Hi,
Thanks for the info, though those appear to be O-47s instead of O-52s. (On the other hand, an O-47 kit would be nice to have in addition to an O-52 )

Pat

 

[Capt. Vick]

Hi,
Thanks for the info, though those appear to be O-47s instead of O-52s. (On the other hand, an O-47 kit would be nice to have in addition to an O-52 )

Pat

You are correct sir! Boy do I feel like an idiot! Note to self: must open the windows when using spray paint.

 

[Skyediamonds]

I'd prefer the -47 just for the sheer reason if it's appearance. Just one of those things. I'm usually drawn to unusual or rare aircraft. Even a few ugly ones. Someday I'll model and R/C sized -47 & have it covered with an adhesive foil for that natural metal finish. With the long greenhouse canopy covering over a green-zinc chromate cockpit interior should make for a nice contrast.

 

[PFVA63]

You are correct sir! Boy do I feel like an idiot! Note to self: must open the windows when using spray paint.

Hi,
Not a problem. The O-47 looks like a very interesting airplane too. I think I'm going to keep my eye on eBay to see if one of those comes up at a good price too.
Pat

 

[GrumpyOldCrewChief]

Not directly related to this particular aircraft, but it always amazes me how much performance was gotten from an airframe, engine, and propeller set-up, where the prop seems to barely be larger than the engine! An exaggeration, of course, but still! So little of the prop seems to be outside the radius of the cowling...

 

[Skyediamonds]

Grumpy:

I too, sometimes feel that there's really not enough propeller blade coverage outside the circumference of the engine cowling. Seems as if the yellow paint on the tips are more to show that the blades are clear of the cowling/fuselage & in the slipstreams than to act as clearance for ground crew.

Gotta wonder what's the purpose of all that extra blade from the hub outward to the cowl outlines. Why not just have a club with an airfoil at the edge? Engine cooling perhaps?

True that the inner portion of the blade is called "shank." It's also a given that the inner portion of the blades have a much sharper pitch & gradually decreasing in pitch or curvature as the overall length progresses outward to the tips. Some blades have cuffs at the shank. Think early Grumman Wildcats or even the sleek Mustangs.

 

[Gnomey]

Good shots!

 

[Skyediamonds]

Gnomes,

I presume you're complimenting all of us: johnbr, syscome & myself. On behalf of all is us, I say "Thank you." It's really gratifying to see additional pictures that complement those that were posted. They all help fill in the missing pieces to a pictorial puzzle. Each one helps us to get a clearer understanding of this -and many other- aircraft.