North American O-47B: Punching Below its Weight Class…
(Polls are at the Bottom)
Overview
Blue Contacts!
Today we’re gonna over an interesting vehicle that would be a funny addition to war thunder, being a massive airframe with a very light armament, however would be a hilarious vehicle to play, and then frag with!
Basic Information
Designation(s):
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O-47B (Military)
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NA-25 (Manufacturer)
Role: Observation Aircraft
Crew: 3
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Pilot
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Co-pilot/Observer
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Gunner
Manufacturer: North American Aviation
Total built: 74
Specifications
Dimensions:
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Length: 33 ft 3 in (10.13 m)
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Wing Area: 350 sq. ft (32.5 m²)
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Wingspan: 46 ft 4 in (14.12 m)
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Height: 13 ft 9 in (4.19 m)
Flight Performance:
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Engine(s): 1x Wright R-1820-57 Cyclone 9 Radial Engine
- 1,060 hp (790 kW)
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Maximum Speed: 227 mph (365 km/h)
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Cruise Speed: 200 mph (322 km/h)
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Service Ceiling: 24,100 ft (7,346 m)
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Rate of Climb: 1,470 ft/min (7.47 m/s)
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Max Range: 840 mi (1,352 km)
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Empty weight: 5,980 lb (2,713 kg)
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Max Takeoff Weight: 7,636 lb (3,464 kg)
Armament:
Armament (Offensive):
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1x .30 in (7.62 mm) Browning machine gun In the right wing
- 200 Rounds
Armament (Defensive):
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1x .30 in (7.62 mm) Browning machine gun In a rear turret ring
- 600 Rounds
Usage In Battles
The O-47B would make a hilarious aircraft to play, being an aircraft that has the size of the Helldiver, the Body of the Avenger, and yet, has a SINGLE 7.62! With no suspended armament, It would be a difficult plane to play, but would make its kills worthwhile!
Pros:
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Decent Speed
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Defensive Gunner
Cons:
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Poor Defensive Armament
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Poor Offensive Armament
History
The North American O-47 originates in 1934, with the United States Army Air Corps, or USAAC, wanting a replacement for their aging biplane fleet of O-19 and O-38 observation aircraft, releasing a list of specifications for an improved, 3-crew aircraft. General Aircraft Company, amongst its competitors, would soon submit a design that when viewed by the review board, was described as meeting: “The requirements for an observation airplane more fully than any hitherto submitted.” With the USAAC’s approval, General Aircraft would produce a prototype, designated the GA-15 in-house, seeing its first flight in November 1935. Seeing excellent results, the USAAC would approve of the design.
As the General Aircraft factory in Dundalk, Maryland, prepared to begin producing aircraft, the company would be merged with North American Aviation, transferring its design and materials, and the aircraft’s designation changed to NA-25 in January 1936. The new prototypes, designated the XO-47, would begin test flights later that year. Despite seeing drawbacks, the XO-47 would meet satisfactory results with its unique “Guppy Belly” design, an under-fuselage overhang with windows facing the sides and bottom, allowing for the housing of photography equipment.
Satisfied with the aircraft, the USAAC would adopt the aircraft, signing a contract for 104 initial aircraft, designated the O-47A, being built at North American’s factory in Inglewood, California. After a handful of modifications, an additional 40 aircraft would be ordered, with deliveries completed by 1938. Later, North American would modify the design, adding a more powerful Wright R-1820-57 engine rated at 1,060 hp, a revised engine cooling system, improved radio equipment, and an additional 50-gallon fuel tank. New aircraft with these modifications were designated the O-47B, seeing orders for 74 aircraft.
In 1938, a test was performed comparing the Douglas O-46 to the North American O-47 to see which was better performing on unimproved runways and airfields. The tests were performed at Pine Camp and Fort Dix by the 97th Observation Squadron, where both performed well enough.
In 1940, the O-47 no longer fit the Army’s requirements for observation aircraft, as well as comparing the combat effectiveness of large aircraft in France and Europe. Favoring smaller converted civilian craft, all O-47s were relegated to rear-line duties, being given to the Air National Guard, particularly for training, target towing, and liaison. Despite this, however, the O-47 would still participate in combined arms exercises as late as 1941. With the US’s entrance into WWII, the O-47 would see service as a patrol aircraft, guarding the American East Coast and Panama Canal.
In January 1942, ten O-47B’s would be combined into an independent squadron, designated “Combat Team X”, initially to be secretly deployed to Singapore on January 12, 1942. However, with the Japanese invasion and surrender of Singapore, the aircraft and their crews would be redirected to Australia, docking in Brisbane on January 23, where they would be stationed at Archerfield & Eagle Farm, performing patrol duties along the coasts of Queensland and New South Wales throughout the war, eventually being returned to their Air National Guard Units.
Following the war, the O-47 would slowly be pulled from service, seeing its last squadron be the 82 Observation Squadron, stationed at Salinas Air Force Base in California, with the vast majority of airframes scrapped.
As of writing, there are 4 surviving examples in air museums.
Technical Drawings & Data
Sources
North American O-47 - Wikipedia
North American O-47B > National Museum of the United States Air Force™ > Display
North American O-47 - History, Technical Data & Photos - Aero Corner
North American O-47 | World War Photos
NORTH AMERICAN O-47 · The Encyclopedia of Aircraft David C. Eyre
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