CELLULAR SHADE PARTS

NORTH AMERICAN O-47B
In 1934 North American Aviation developed the O-47 to replace the O-19 and O-38 observation biplanes. Larger and heavier than most preceding observation aircraft, its crew of three sat in tandem under the long canopy. Since the wings restricted downward observation and photography, North American put windows in the aircraft's deep belly. The U.S. Army Air Corps ordered 174 O-47s in 1937, and National Guard units received 93 of them. In 1938 the Army ordered 74 O-47Bs, which had a redesigned engine cowling for better cooling, a more powerful engine, and improved radio equipment.

Training maneuvers in 1941 demonstrated the O-47's shortcomings. Lighter airplanes proved more capable of operating with ground troops, and fighters and twin-engine bombers showed greater ability to perform reconnaissance and photographic duties. Therefore, the Army relegated the O-47 to towing targets or to flying coastal and antisubmarine patrols.

The museum acquired the O-47B on display in 1978 from Loren L. Florey Jr., of Eden Prairie, Minn. The 179th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Ohio Air National Guard, Mansfield, Ohio, restored the aircraft in the markings of an O-47A of the 112th Observation Squadron of the Ohio National Guard.

TECHNICAL NOTES:
Armament: One fixed forward-firing .30-cal. machine gun and one flexible .30-cal. machine gun in rear cockpit
Engine: Wright R-1820 of 1,060 hp
Maximum speed: 227 mph
Cruising speed: 200 mph
Range: 840 miles
Ceiling: 24,100 ft.
Span: 46 ft. 4 in.
Length: 33 ft. 3 in.
Height: 13 ft. 9 in.
Serial number: 39-112

The F4U-5's armament consisted of four M3 (T-31) 20 millimeter cannon, with a total of 924 rounds of ammunition. Provision for eight HVARs, two 450 kilogram (1,000 pound) bombs, and a centerline external fuel tank were retained. The launch stubs for the HVARs were rearranged in a staggered configuration for some reason. The cannon and pitot tube had an electrical heating system to allow them to operate properly in very cold conditions.

Vought built 223 F4U-5s. There was further production of subvariants:

214 were built as "F4U-5N" night fighters, with an AN/APS-6 radar in a pod on the right outer wing. The four cannon were fitted with muzzle flash suppressors.

101 more night fighters were built with additional cold-weather gear during the Korean War and given the designation of "F4U-5NL". These machines featured pneumatic rubber de-icing boots on the leading edge of each outer wing, with the boots pulsed to break off the ice; a heavy duty cockpit heater, which could turn the cockpit into a hotbox on the coldest days; and an alcohol-based prop deicing system. The alcohol from the prop deicing system tended to damage the plastic canopy until a protective film was placed over the plastic.