Snautzer01
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North American O-47
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Wildcat
Major
I personally love the look of the 0-47! It has that classic 30's American look about her 
I guess it IS cool looking in its own fugly way.
vikingBerserker
Lieutenant General
It does look like a pregnant guppy.
daveT
Senior Airman
Any info on where or when the picture was taken?
daveT
Senior Airman
O-47 pictures from my files. No info on the pictures
daveT
Senior Airman
In February 1937, the USAAC let an initial contract for 109 O-47As. North American Aviation closed the factory at Dundalk and opened a new factory at Inglewood, California. All 164 O-47As and all 74 O-47Bs were built there. Most of the aircraft (143) were assigned to National Guard units.
The O-47 is somewhat unique in that the USAAC never gave it a name. Four known airframes in the world that are not wreckage. The National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., has one example; another is held by the National Museum of the United States Air Force, Dayton, Ohio; one was last reported under restoration in Chino, California; and one other example.
The crew included a pilot, second pilot, and gunner. The second pilot was rather busy, as he was also radio operator and cameraman. He could fold his seat and drop down into the observer's station in the aircraft's belly. The plane proved to be a reliable, stable platform for photography and was known for its rugged dependability.
The O-47 represents a time in US military aviation history when large observation planes were prevalent yet the advances in aircraft performance worldwide rapidly made their designs obsolete. They could not survive in the front-line environments of World War II. This was proven during massive war games in Louisiana and North and South Carolina in 1941. The O-47 and other observation aircraft were too large, too slow, too lightly armed, and lacked maneuverability. They were sitting ducks for fighters. In 1942 the designation "O" for Observation was dropped in favor of the designation "L" for Liaison. This reflected the new, lighter, more maneuverable and more useful liaison aircraft; the "grasshoppers."
O-47s did provide wartime service flying antisubmarine patrols along the US Atlantic coastline, being target tugs, serving in training and communication duties, and in general utility work. In January 1942, ten O-47s and their aircrews were placed aboard ships for transport to Singapore. They were to conduct coastal patrol and reconnaissance over the Malay Peninsula. Singapore fell before the aircraft arrived, and they were diverted to Australia where they spent the rest of the war. Other O-47s flew from bases in the Panama Canal Zone. In February 2002, the wreckage of one such O-47 was found in the mountains of western Panama. The aircraft last took flight on June 8, 1941 and vanished without a trace.
The O-47 is somewhat unique in that the USAAC never gave it a name. Four known airframes in the world that are not wreckage. The National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., has one example; another is held by the National Museum of the United States Air Force, Dayton, Ohio; one was last reported under restoration in Chino, California; and one other example.
The crew included a pilot, second pilot, and gunner. The second pilot was rather busy, as he was also radio operator and cameraman. He could fold his seat and drop down into the observer's station in the aircraft's belly. The plane proved to be a reliable, stable platform for photography and was known for its rugged dependability.
The O-47 represents a time in US military aviation history when large observation planes were prevalent yet the advances in aircraft performance worldwide rapidly made their designs obsolete. They could not survive in the front-line environments of World War II. This was proven during massive war games in Louisiana and North and South Carolina in 1941. The O-47 and other observation aircraft were too large, too slow, too lightly armed, and lacked maneuverability. They were sitting ducks for fighters. In 1942 the designation "O" for Observation was dropped in favor of the designation "L" for Liaison. This reflected the new, lighter, more maneuverable and more useful liaison aircraft; the "grasshoppers."
O-47s did provide wartime service flying antisubmarine patrols along the US Atlantic coastline, being target tugs, serving in training and communication duties, and in general utility work. In January 1942, ten O-47s and their aircrews were placed aboard ships for transport to Singapore. They were to conduct coastal patrol and reconnaissance over the Malay Peninsula. Singapore fell before the aircraft arrived, and they were diverted to Australia where they spent the rest of the war. Other O-47s flew from bases in the Panama Canal Zone. In February 2002, the wreckage of one such O-47 was found in the mountains of western Panama. The aircraft last took flight on June 8, 1941 and vanished without a trace.
daveT
Senior Airman
I found the crash site of one in the California Desert near Edwards AFB. Not much remains but identifiable.
O-47A, 37-327, crashed 18 June 43. Crashed north of Leuhman Ridge and South of the town of Boron due to engine fire during strafing run. 2LT Arthur Shepard, Cpl. James W. Turvin, and Pvt. A. R. Rodrigues survived.
O-47A, 37-327, crashed 18 June 43. Crashed north of Leuhman Ridge and South of the town of Boron due to engine fire during strafing run. 2LT Arthur Shepard, Cpl. James W. Turvin, and Pvt. A. R. Rodrigues survived.
Wildcat
Major
Excellent Dave! In what capacity were the 0-47's that made it to Australia used for? I've not read of their use here so I'm guessing they were used as hacks etc. I'd also be interested to know how many USAAF squadrons employed 0-47's on anti-sub patrols.
Good shots! Thanks for sharing.
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Snautzer01
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mystere IV
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Wildcat
Major
Nice.
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Snautzer01
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Snautzer01
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