Identification

[slf1225]

I am trying to identify a plane from the WWII era. The picture of the plane is on a 1 cent post card. It was sent by my father-in-law (Lt Col L R Deede USAF Ret.)from Little Falls,MN to his sister in Covington,ND. The Picture contains a row of planes parked in front of a hanger on the grass,no runway is visible.If you think you can ID this plane.send email to slf1225@hotmail.com .thanks for your help,Stephen

[Mark J]

Can you describe the planes, their colour, shape, markings, number of engines etc.

oh and hi slf1225

cheers

[simon]

They appear to be silver, USAAC pre-war finish and markings. Single radial engine, three blade props, look to be multi-crew with a slightly pot-bellied look to them and a circular antenna on the cockpit. A note on the card reads "US Army AiC planes".

They do look familiar, but I'm going to need to do some digging through my books to find the exact type.

[JoeB]

Is there a link to a photo/scan of the postcard I just can't see?Otherwise I don't see how one could ID it.

Joe

[slf1225]

jgplanes.comNew Compressed (zipped) Folder

[slf1225]

Thanks for your respones.I have posted a zip file to original msg.I hope you can open it.Itis the picture on the postcard.thanks again,Stephenquote:Originally posted by Mark J

Can you describe the planes, their colour, shape, markings, number of engines etc.

oh and hi slf1225

cheers

[GregP]

The posted file cannot be opened.

Is the plane a monoplane or a biplane. If a biplane, describe the interwing struts.

Is it conventional landing gear or tricycle? What sort of tail? Does the crew sit side by side or in tandem? Any rearward-facing guns apparent?

From your description above it could be almost anything, but probably looks something like the North American O-47. Try looking that up on the web and posting an answer.

Again, please try to post a pic! :)

[slf1225]

Having trouble loading picture into forum,Don't know how to do it. I'm not computer illiterate,I'm computer Stupid. If someone can tell me how to do it,Iwill try again.Thanks,Stephenquote:Originally posted by Mark J

Can you describe the planes, their colour, shape, markings, number of engines etc.

oh and hi slf1225

cheers

[Romantic Technofreak]

These chubby things

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v475/Coridano/af4d48fb.jpg

are North American O-47s:

http://www.aerofiles.com/noram-o47a.jpg

Greg doesn´t even need a picture for detecting it!:)

Thanks for the picture, Stephen.

Regards, RT

[Kutscha]

Stephen,

there are many free hosts that you can upload the pics to.

A selection,
http://www.free-webhosts.com/free-image-hosting.php

You then link the pic on the host site to your post here.

Some boards have an upload feature, but not sure if the software for this site can do such. This is one site that does have such a feature, http://test.allaboutwarfare.com/forums/

[GregP]

Hi RT!

Thanks for the plaudits. Pot-bellied, round antenna, 3-bladed prop .... COULD be an O-47, but I'll wait for confirmation!

Could be ANYTHING, but the O-47 fits the brief description ... :)

[Romantic Technofreak]

Sorry, Greg and Kutscha, the picture I uploaded is Stephen´s one. See the note "US Army AiC planes". I didn´t mention that expressively because I thought everybody would consider it as Stephen´s one without further explanation.

Regards, RT

[Kutscha]

Yes RT, I noticed that. The post was to help Stephen in posting photos.

[slf1225]

Thanks for the help identiying that plane. You guys are really Great.I have passed it on to my Mother-in law.She thinks her husband is in the picture and it means a great deal to her. Thanks again for all your wonderful help. God Bless Our Troops,Past and Present.Thanks Again,Stephen

[GregP]

Hi slf 1225,

You are welcome. It makes us ALL feel good to be able to help with a trivial bit on knowledge. There are probably two dozen posters in here who could have nade that ID without a pic.

The only reason it is somewhat trivial to us is: 1) this is a WWII aviation forum, and 2) we are interested in WWII aviation.

To others it may be a tough nut to crack. We'll all be glad to do it anytime, even for earlier or later aircraft. Identifying strange aviation objects is FUN for us wierd people.

Best regards, - Greg :)

[Romantic Technofreak]

quote:Originally posted by GregP:
to help with a trivial bit on knowledge. There are probably two dozen posters in here who could have nade that ID without a pic.
Another decoration to Greg: the special medal for top-understatement!:D

Regards, RT

[montanamotor]

Hi,

this North American O-47 is CUTE! Is it an offspring of the AT-6-family?

Any details of it's specs. known around here?

Cheers!

Montanamotor[:p]

[Redwings_10]

montanamotor,

You might start here, it's got a few facts about AAC planes.

http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/ac/pg000038.htm

[montanamotor]

Hi, Redwings_10,

sorry, but - the link you gave us doesn't work, actually. Any other clues...?

Cheers,

Montanamotor

[ChrisMcD]

works for me

tp://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/ac/pg000038.htm

Try it again

[montanamotor]

Aah, now it works.

Quite a big plane, eh? Interesting. There is quite a number of relatively "odd" planes in the pre-war and early-war era. I like those. I remember one kind of a Seversky-patrol-experimental with fixed, faired gear-legs - faired to an extend that, they could easily work as tailplanes...

I would be pleased to find even more info on the 0-47. Does anyone have a source for more pictures or, even drawings availlable?

Cheers,

Montanamotor

[montanamotor]

Hi,

Google found this on the 0-47:

"Aircraft Page - [ Diese Seite übersetzen ]
North American P-51 "Mustang", O-47 North American 0-47 ... The 115th Observation Squadron was activated in March 1941 and the 0-47 began coastal patrol ...
https://www.146aw.ca.ang.af.mil/aircraft.htm "

That's it. The link works and will get you to the 146th Airlift Wing of the California Air National Guard - but that's it. No other than the first page of the 146th will pop up. The rest remains blocked or, defunct. Is the 146th Airlift Wing taken out of service, already?

Hints welcome!

Cheers,

Montanamoor

[Redwings_10]

Hi montanamotor,

Somewhere at home I have a fairly decent little book on USAAC aircraft from WWI through Korea. I distinctly remember a section on Observation AC. When I get home tonight I'll see if I can find the tome and get back to you on the O-47.

Cheers
RW_10

[montanamotor]

Hi, Redwings_10,

that would be nice! See, what else I found on the net about the 0-47:

http://www.theplanpage.com/Months/2202/o47.htm

and

http://history.nasa.gov/SP-4302/ch1.9.htm

There's one picture of an 0-47 in it. Can you see, how BIG this plane was? It must have been the size of a Grumman TBF Avenger!

Wow!

I like those "stubby chubby ones". Reminds me of my girlfriend...

:D

Cheers!

Montanamotor