O-1, O-11, O-39, A-3 Falcon
Curtiss A-3 Falcon (S/N 27-243)
Type	Observation, Attack
Manufacturer	Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company
Introduced	1935
Retired	October 1937
Primary user	U.S. Army Air Corps
Number built	338[1]
Developed from	Curtiss O-1B

A number of biplanes built by Curtiss were named "Falcon", most under the US Army Air Corps designation O-1. They first appeared in 1924. Curtiss Falcons fought in the Constitutional Revolution of 1932, in Brazil, used by the forces of São Paulo. An aerospace manufacturer is a company or individual involved in the various aspects of designing, building, testing, selling, and maintaining aircraft, aircraft parts, missiles, rockets, and/or spacecraft. ... Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company was an American aircraft manufacturer that went public in 1916 with Glenn Curtiss as president. ... 1. ... Reproduction of a Sopwith Camel biplane flown by Lt. ... Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company was an American aircraft manufacturer that went public in 1916 with Glenn Curtiss as president. ... 1. ... This article is about the city. ...

Design and development

The Falcon XO-1 prototype was evaluated along with eleven other prototypes in 1924 and the Douglas XO-2 was declared the winner. So Curtiss re-engined the prototype with the Packard 1A-1500 for the 1925 trials, which it won. The engine failed to live up to expectations and the O-1 ordered by the Army was fitted with the 435 hp (324 kW) Curtiss V-1150 (D-12) engine^[1]. The Douglas O-2 is a 1920s American observation aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company. ... Packard 1A-1500 The Packard 1A-1500 was a 12 cylinder liquid-cooled 60 degree Vee piston aircraft engine designed in 1924. ...

The aircraft was a conventional unequal-span design with wooden wings, while the fuselage was built using aluminum tubing with steel tie-rod bracing^[2]. The landing gear was fixed and the tail included a balanced rudder with a rear skid originally, later changed to a tail wheel. The fuselage can be short, and seemingly unaerodynamic, as in this Christen Eagle 2 The fuselage (from the French fuselé spindle-shaped) is an aircrafts main body section that holds crew and passengers or cargo. ... Aluminum is a soft and lightweight metal with a dull silvery appearance, due to a thin layer of oxidation that forms quickly when it is exposed to air. ... Main and nosewheel undercarriage of a Qatar Airways Airbus A330 The undercarriage or landing gear is equipment which supports an aircraft when it is not flying. ... The balanced rudder was an innovation in warship construction first used in HMS Bellerophon (1865). ...

Operational history

Reasonably successful as an observation aircraft, Falcons flew primarily in the 1st, 5th and 99th Observation Squadrons of the 9th Observation Group, Mitchel Field, New York. The A-3 Attack Falcon variant saw considerable use, in front line service with the 8th, 13th and 19th Attack Squadrons of the 3rd Attack Group, Barksdale Field, Louisiana, and the 26th Attack Squadron in Hawaii from 1928 to 1934 and with reserve units until 1937. The 1st Reconnaissance Squadron (1 RS) is a United States Air Force reconnaissance training unit based at Beale Air Force Base, near Marysville, California. ... The 9th Bomb Group (Very Heavy) was an air combat unit of the United States Army Air Forces during the Second World War and as the 9th Operations Group, a current unit of the United States Air Force. ... Mitchel Field is a complex located in Uniondale, New York, and home to Nassau Coliseum, Mitchel Athletic Complex, Nassau Community College and Hofstra University. ... This article is about the state. ... Barksdale Air Force Base is a United States military base near Bossier City, Louisiana. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ...

Curtiss Falcon aircraft fought during the Brazil Revolution of 1930, under the flag of São Paulo. In Bolivia the aircraft type also fought in the Chaco War (1932-1935), bombing Paraguayan troopers.^{[3] [4]} // The tenente rebellion did not mark the revolutionary breakthrough of Brazils bourgeois social reformers. ... Motto Pro Brasilia Fiant Eximia (Latin) For Brazil Great Things Are Done Anthem Bandeirantes Anthem Capital (and largest city) São Paulo Demonym Paulista Government  -  Governor José Serra  -  Vice Governor Alberto Goldman Area  -  Total 248. ... Combatants Republic of Bolivia Republic of Paraguay Commanders Hans Kundt Mcal. ...

Variants

_^[2]

Curtiss A-3B Falcon

• A-3 - (Model 44) - O-1B converted for use as an attack aircraft, 66 built for the US Army. It was armed with two 7.62 mm (0.30-inch) machine guns and 91 kg (200-lb) of bombs.
• A-3A - Six A-3s were converted into trainers.
• A-3B - (Model 37H) - O-1E converted for attack use, 78 built
• XA-4 - One A-3 with a Pratt & Whitney R-1340-1 Wasp radial piston engine. Scrapped in March 1932
• O-1 - (Model 37A) - Two-seat observation aircraft, the first production model. One aircraft was converted into the O-1 Special for VIP transport, ten built
• O-1A - Two-seat observation aircraft, powered by the Liberty piston engine, one built.
• O-1B - (Model 37B) - This was the first major production version for the US Army, 45 built.
• O-1C - Four O-1Bs converted into VIP transports.
• O-1E - (Model 37I) - This version was powered by the 324 kW (435-hp) Curtiss V-1150E piston engine, 41 built.

Curtiss XA-4 Falcon

• O-1F - (Model 37J) - One O-1E converted into VIP transport.
• O-1G - (Model 38) - This was the final O-1 version, 30 built
• XO-11 - Two aircraft were converted into X0-11 prototypes.
• O-11 - This version was powered by the Liberty piston engine, 66 built.
• XO-12 - One of the XO-11 prototypes was redesignated X0-12.
• XO-13 - One O-1 was fitted with a Curtiss Conqueror engine, and took part in the 1927 National Air Race.
• XO-13A - The XO-13A was another aircraft which was converted into a racing machine.
• O-13B - One O-1C was fitted with a Conqueror engine, and tested as an observation aircraft.
• YO-13C - Three O-1Es were re-engined with a Conqueror engine.
• YO-13D - One O-11 was fitted with supercharged Conqueror engine.
• XO-16 - One O-11 was fitted with a Conqueror engine.
• XO-18 - One O-1B used to test the Chieftain engine.
• Y1O-26 - One O-1E fitted with a Conqueror engine, and the Prestone cooling system.
• O-39 - This was the O-1G airframe fitted with a Conqueror engine, ten built.
• Civil Falcon - 20 civil versions were built.
  • Conqueror Mail plane
  • D-12 Mailplane
  • Lindbergh Special - It was sold to Charles Lindbergh.
  • Liberty Mailplane - Single-seat mailplane, powered by a Liberty piston engine. 14 were sold to National Air Transport.
• XF8C-1 - (Model 37C) - This version was developed from the US Army's X0-12 aircraft. Two were built for the US Navy.
• F8C-1 - (Model 37C) - Four were built for the US Marine Corps, they were used as light bombers, fighters and observation aircraft. The F8C-1 powered by the 313 kW (420-hp) Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp radial piston engine. It was later redesignated OC-1.
• F8C-3 - (Model 37C) - 21 were built for the US Navy. It was powered by the P313 kW (420-hp) Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp radiual piston engine. It was later redesignated OC-2.
• XOC-3 - One XF8C-1 prototype was fitted with a Chieftain engine.
• Export Falcon - Twin-float version of O-1B sold to Colombia, 16 built.
• South American D-12 Falcon - ten Model 35F were sold to Peru.
• Colombia Cyclone Falcon - Model 37F fitted with the 531 kW (712-hp) Wright Cyclone radial piston engine. 100 were built and sold to Colombia.
• Chilean Falcon - O-1E design built under license in Chile, ten were later sold to Brazil.
• XBT-4 - (Model 46) - One O-1E aircraft was converted into a basic trainer for the US Army.
• A-5 - a proposed version of the A-3 with a Curtiss Conqueror engine
• A-6 - a proposed version of the A-3 with a Curtiss H-1640-1 Chieftain engine

A ground attack aircraft is an aircraft that is designed to operate very close to the ground, supporting infantry and tanks directly in battle. ... Pratt & Whitney R-1340 The Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp was a reciprocating engine widely used in American aircraft from the 1920s onward. ... The Curtiss V-1570 Conqueror was a 12-cylinder vee liquid-cooled aircraft engine. ... A mailplane is an aircraft used for carrying mail. ... Charles Augustus Lindbergh (4 February 1902 – 26 August 1974), known as Lucky Lindy and The Lone Eagle, was an American pilot famous for the first solo, non-stop flight across the Atlantic, from Roosevelt Field, Long Island to Paris in 1927 in the Spirit of St. ... National Air Transport was a large airline. ... United States Marine Corps Emblem The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is the second smallest of the five branches of the United States armed forces, with 170,000 active and 40,000 reserve Marines as of 2002. ... Wright Cyclone was the name given to a family of air-cooled radial piston engines designed by Curtiss-Wright, and used in numerous American aircraft in the 1930s and 1940s. ... Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company went public in 1916 with Glenn Curtiss as president. ... Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company went public in 1916 with Glenn Curtiss as president. ...

Operators

Military operators

 Brazil

• Brazilian Air Force

 Chile

• Chilean Air Force

 Colombia

• Colombian Air Force

 Peru

• Peruvian Air Force

 Philippines

• Philippine Army Air Corps

 United States

• United States Army Air Corps
• United States Marines
• United States Navy

Image File history File links Flag_of_Brazil. ... The Brazilian Air Force (Portuguese: Força Aérea Brasileira, FAB) is the aerial warfare branch of the Brazilian armed forces and one of the three national uniformed services. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Chile. ... Air Force Flag The Chilean Air Force (Fuerza Aérea de Chile, FACH) is the national Air Force or aviation branch of the armed forces of Chile. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Colombia. ... Coat of arms of the Colombian Air Force The Colombian Air Force or FAC (Fuerza Aerea Colombiana) is the Air Force of The Republic of Colombia. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Peru_(1825_-_1950). ... The Peruvian Air Force (Spanish: Fuerza Aérea del Perú, abbreviated FAP) is the branch of the Peruvian Armed Forces tasked with defending the nation and its interests through the use of air power. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Philippines. ... The Philippine Army Air Corps was created by the Philippine National Assemblys National Defense Act of 1935. ... Image File history File links US_flag_48_stars. ... It has been suggested that this article be split into multiple articles accessible from a disambiguation page. ... United States Marine Corps Emblem The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is the second smallest of the five branches of the United States armed forces, with 170,000 active and 40,000 reserve Marines as of 2002. ... USN redirects here. ...

Civil operators

 United States

• National Air Transport operated 14 aircraft.

Image File history File links US_flag_48_stars. ... National Air Transport was a large airline. ...

Specifications Model 37H (A-3B)

Data from "United States Military Aircraft Since 1909" ^[1]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2 (Pilot, observer/rear gunner)
• Length: 27 ft 2 in (8.28 m)
• Wingspan: 38 ft 0 in (11.58 m)
• Height: 10 ft 6 in (3.2 m)
• Wing area: 353 ft² (32.8 m²)
• Empty weight: 2,875 lb (1,304 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 4,476 lb (2,030 kg)
• Powerplant: 1× Curtiss D-12D (V-1150-5) V-12 liquid cooled engine, 435 hp (324 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 139 mph (223.7 km/h)
• Cruise speed: 110 mph (177 km/h)
• Range: 628 mi (1,010 km)
• Service ceiling: 14,100 ft (4,298 m)
• Rate of climb: 948 ft/min (289 m/min)

Armament

• Guns: Four forward-firing .30-cal. Browning machine guns and two flexible .30-cal. Lewis machine guns on a Scarff ring.
• Bombs: 200 lb of bombs mounted on lower wing racks.

The distance AB is the wing span of this Aer Lingus Airbus A320. ... In aviation, the Maximum Take-Off Weight (or MTOW) is the maximum weight with which an aircraft is allowed to try to achieve flight. ... Colombo Type 125 Testa Rossa engine in a 1961 Ferrari 250TR Spyder V-12 engine simplified cross-section V12 redirects here. ... V speeds are speeds that define certain performance and limiting characteristics of an aircraft. ... Airspeed Indicator in a light aircraft The VC of an aircraft is the V speed which refers to the velocity of cruising. ... The maximal total range is the distance an aircraft can fly between takeoff and landing, as limited by fuel capacity in powered aircraft, or cross-country speed and environmental conditions in unpowered aircraft. ... In aeronautics, the service ceiling is the maximum density altitude where the best rate of climb airspeed will produce a 100 feet per minute climb(twin engine) and 50 feet(single engine) at maximum weight while in a clean configuration with maximum continuous power. ... This page is a candidate to be moved to Wiktionary. ... The Browning M1919 was a . ...

References

• Eden, Paul and Moeng, Soph, eds. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. London: Amber Books Ltd., 2002. ISBN 0-7607-3432-1.
• Swanborough, F. Gordon and Bowers, Peter M. United States Military Aircraft Since 1909. New York: Putnam, 1964. ISBN 0-85177-816-X.

External links

• Curtiss A-3 fact sheet on National Museum of the USAF website

Related content

Designation sequence

• XA-2 - A-3 - A-4 - A-5 - A-6 - XA-7 - XA-8 - A-9

Related lists

• List of military aircraft of the United States

The Douglas A-2 was a prototype attack aircraft converted from the last O-2 observation plane in the spring of 1926 by Douglas Aircraft. ... A number of biplanes built by Curtiss were named Falcon, most under the US Army designation O-1. ... The A-4 was an A-3 modified as a testbed for the R-1340-1 radial engine. ... The A-5 was a proposed version of the A-3 with a Curtiss Conqueror engine. ... The A-6 was a proposed version of the A-3 with a Curtiss H-1640-1 Chieftain engine. ... The General Aviation / Fokker XA-7 was a prototype attack aircraft built in 1930-1931 by Fokker and then General Aviation Corporation after it bought Fokker-America in 1930, and entered in a competition by the United States Army. ... The Lockheed-Detroit YP-24 was a prototype fighter aircraft of 1931, based on the successful Lockheed Altair. ... This list of military aircraft of the United States includes prototype, pre-production and operational types. ...