Ninety Douglas O-46A observation planes were built between 1936 and 1937 for the Air Corps, it was soon realised that they lacked the necessary agility required in a modern war, they were just too big and heavy, in consequence they were declared obsolete as an observation aircraft in 1942, the remaining aircraft being re-designated as the L-46A liaison and training aircraft. It is of note that two Douglas O-46A observation planes were destroyed in the Philippines on the 8th December 1941 during the Japanese attack on Clark Field. The picture above depicts the only surviving Douglas O-46A, this aircraft forms part of the aircraft collection at the National Museum of the United States Air Force based at Wright-Patterson AFB. Douglas O-46A Specifications: Length: 34 ft 6¾ in (10.54 m) Wingspan: 45 ft 9 in (13.94 m) Height: 10 ft 8½ in (3.25 m) Wing area: 332 ft² (30.8 m²) Empty weight: 4,776 lb (2,166 kg) Loaded weight: 6,639 lb (3,011 kg) Engine: Single 725 hp (541 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1535-7 14-cylinder radial engine Maximum speed: 200 mph (174 knots, 322 km/h) Cruise speed: 171 mph (149 knots, 275 km/h) Range: 435 miles (378 nmi, 700 km) Service ceiling: 24,150 ft (7,360 m) Rate of climb: 1,765 ft/min (9.0 m/s)
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