Северноамерикански O-47 – Снимки и видео

1. Северна Америка O-47 is an observation fixed-wing aircraft monoplane used by the United States Army Air Corps. It had a low-wing configuration, retractable landing gear and a three-blade propeller. The O-47 was developed as a replacement for the Thomas-Morse O-19 and Douglas O-38 observation biplanes.

Северноамериканският O-47 е наблюдателен самолет с фиксирано крило, който служи във въздушния корпус на армията на САЩ преди и по време на Втората световна война. Той е проектиран от North American Aviation в средата на 30-те години на миналия век като заместител на по-старите самолети за наблюдение на биплани. O-47 има конфигурация с ниско крило, прибиращ се колесник и витло с три лопатки. Той се задвижва от радиален двигател Wright R-1820, който произвежда 975 конски сили. O-47 има екипаж от трима души: пилот, втори пилот / наблюдател и заден стрелец. Самолетът е оборудван с фиксирана картечница в дясното крило и гъвкава картечница за задно изстрелване в пилотската кабина. O-47 също има прозорци в корема, за да позволи наблюдение надолу и фотография.
The O-47 was initially ordered by the Air Corps in 1937, with 174 units delivered by 1938. Some of them were assigned to National Guard units. In 1938, a modified version, the O-47B, was ordered, with 74 units built. The O-47B had a redesigned engine cowling, an upgraded engine, and improved radio equipment. It also had an extra fuel tank to increase its range. The O-47B was slightly faster and could fly higher than the O-47A.
The O-47 was intended to perform observation and reconnaissance missions in support of ground troops. However, it soon became obsolete as newer and faster aircraft emerged. The O-47 was too slow and vulnerable to enemy fighters and anti-aircraft fire. It also had limited maneuverability and visibility. In 1941, training maneuvers showed that light airplanes like the Piper L-4 and Stinson L-5 were more suitable for operating with ground troops, while fighters and bombers were more effective for recon and photo duties. As a result, the O-47 was relegated to secondary roles such as coastal patrol, anti-submarine patrol, and target towing. Some O-47s were also captured by the Japanese forces in the Philippines and used against the Allies.
О-47 е пенсиониран от служба след Втората световна война. Днес са оцелели само няколко примера в музеи или частни колекции.