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| O-17 Courier | |
|---|---|
| Role | Observation |
| Manufacturer | Consolidated Aircraft Company |
| First flight | April 1927 |
| Primary users | United States National Guard Royal Canadian Air Force |
| Produced | 1928 |
| Number built | 35 |
| Variants | Consolidated PT-3 |
The Consolidated Model 2 Courier was an observation and training airplane used by the United States National Guard, under the designation O-17.
Contents |
Development
A parallel development to the PT-3 series, the XO-17 was a converted PT-3 with such refinements as improved fuselage streamlining, oleo shock absorbers, wheel brakes, balanced elevators and increased fuel capacity1
Used almost exclusively as a cross country flying, gunnery, photographic and radio trainer.2 The O-17 had a removable fairing (carring a Scarff ring mounting for one .30 cal (7.62 mm) trainable Browning machine gun.
The Royal Canadian Air Force purchased three generally similar aircraft, two Model 7 landplanes and one Model 8 floatplane, the latter with the same float gear as the NY series.
The sole XO-17A was converted from the PT-3 as a demonstrator that failed to secure any orders.2 It was later fitted with the experimental Packard DR-980 Diesel engine of 225 hp (168 kW).1
The Model 15 was also an O-17 type airframe fitted with a Pratt & Whitney R-1340 engine. It too failed to win any contracts.2
Variants
- XO-17 (prototype)
- Consolidated PT-3 Conversion with a 225hp Wright R-790-1 engine, streamlined fuselage, modified undercarriage, increased fuel capacity, provision for dual controls and a dorsal 0.3 in gun, one conversion.3
- O-17 Model 2 Courier
- Production version for United States National Guard use, 29 built.2
- XO-17A (prototype)
- One Consolidated PT-3 converted with a Wright R-790-3 engine intended for export.3
- Model 7 (RCAF landplane)
- Royal Canadian Air Force, two built.2
- Model 8 (RCAF floatplane)
- Royal Canadian Air Force, one built.2
- XPT-8 (demonstrator)
- The airframe of the XO-17A prototype fitted with a Packard DR-980 Diesel engine of 225 hp (168 kw), scrapped in 1932.1
- Model 15 (demonstrator)
- Conversion with a Pratt & Whitney R-1340 engine.2
Operators
Specifications (O-17)
Data from Eden & Moeng (2002)2
General characteristics
- Crew: Two
- Length: 27 ft 11 in (8.51 m)
- Wingspan: 34 ft 5.5 in (10.5 m)
- Height: 9 ft 9 in (2.97 m)
- Wing area: 296 ft2 (27.5 m2)
- Empty weight: 1,881 lb (853 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 2,723 lb (1235 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Wright R-790-1 radial, 225 hp (168 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 118 mph (190 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 100 mph (161 km/h)
- Range: 550 miles (885 km)
- Service ceiling 12,000' (3660 m)
- Rate of climb: 865 ft/min (264 m/min)
Armament
- 1 .30 cal (7.62 mm) Browning machine gun
See also
References
- ^ a b c Swanborough, F. G.; Bowers, Peter M. (1964), United States Military Aircraft Since 1909, New York: Putnam, ISBN 085177816X, http://books.google.com/books?id=3QZUAAAAMAAJ&q=O-17
- ^ a b c d e f g h Eden, Paul; Moeng, Soph (2002), The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft, London: Amber Books, ISBN 9780760734322, http://books.google.com/books?id=6xMYAAAACAAJ
- ^ a b Andrade, John M. (1979), U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials Since 1909, Hinckley, UK: Midland Counties Publications, ISBN 0904597229, http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=-KMgAAAAMAAJ&q=Courier
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