Douglas YOA-5 & XP3D twins

[saturncanuck]

Anyone have any pictures and info on the two flying boats Douglas developed in the mid-1930s. The USAAC amphibian was the YOA-5 and the USN was the XP3D-1

 

[Jos Heyman]

Here is what I got in my files on these aircraft. I do have some small photos but do not 'own' them and cannot include them due to copyright reasons

Douglas OA-5

Specifications:
span: 89'9", 27.36 m
length: 69'9", 21.26 m
engines: 2 Wright YR-1820-45
max. speed: 169 mph, 272 km/h

Similar to the P3D design and originally designated as YB-11, aircraft 33-017 was redesignated as YOA-5 and then as YO-44 before delivery and first flight in January 1935. Other reference sources claim, however, that the YO-44 designation was before the OA-5 designation. The aircraft was later re engined with R-1820-25 engines. It remained in use in Alaska until 1943. A production version designated as OA-5 was not proceeded with.

Douglas P3D
Specifications:
span: 95', 28.96 m
length: 69'11", 21.31 m
engines: 2 Pratt & Whitney R-1830-58
max. speed: 165 mph, 266 km/h

The XP3D-1 was a twin engined bomber monoplane similar to the YAO-5. One aircraft was ordered on 11 February 1934 with serial 9613 and flew for the first time on 6 February 1935. It was later rebuilt with a raised wing with a span of 69'7", 21.21 m, and R-1830-64 engines and delivered on 15 May 1936 as XP3D-2.

The matter raises the question which one of these was the 'start' design

 

[saturncanuck]

They were developed together, but the YOA-5 was ordered first and then the XP3D later.

The XP3D lost out to the PBY.

 

[robunos]

From Putnam's 'McDonnell Douglas', Volume I, pp. 176-9 :-

In 1932, both the USN *and* USAAC showed an interest in improved patrol and bombing seaplanes.
The Navy required an aircraft with a range of 3,000 miles, whereas the USAAC were interested in a concept whereby amphibians
would act as formation leaders and rescue aircraft alongside conventional bombers.
Douglas therefore developed two similar aircraft to fulfill these roles.

"The first to be developed was the Army Air Corps prototype...
Initially designated YB-11 in the bomber category...
While the aircraft was under construction, the concept of using mixed formations of amhibians and land-based bombers had proved
to be impractical. Thus, the experimental aircraft was first redesignated YO-44, in the observation category, and then YOA-5, in the
observation amphibian category."

Lager and more powerful than the YOA-5, the XP3D-1 also differed by reason of it's larger tail surfaces, and the fitting of beaching gear
rather than a retractable undercarriage.

"With nearly identical performance, a choice between the XP3D-1 and the (consolidated) XP3Y-1 was a difficult one. However...
Consolidated quoted a $90,000 unit price, whereas Douglas' price was $110,000 per aircraft. Consequently... Consolidated was awarded
a contract for sixty P3Y-1s..."

In anticipation of winning a possible follow-on contract, Douglas tested a improved XP3D configuration in the wind tunnel. BuAer agreed to
return the aircraft to Douglas for modification, and follwing these, the aircraft was returned to the Navy as the XP3D-2.
Unfortunately, Consolidated had also improved the P3Y, now designated the PBY, and the contract was granted for fifty PBY-2s.


cheers,
Robin.

 

[redstar72]

So, this aircraft was Catalina's competitor?

 

[robunos]

So, this aircraft was Catalina's competitor?

Yes. In 'Convair Advanced Designs: Secret Projects From San Diego', page 21, it's
mentioned again, that both Consolidated and Douglas were awarded a contract for
one each of the XP3Y-1 and XP3D-1, respectively.


cheers,
Robin.

 

[redstar72]

Thanks Robin! I didn't know that P3Y/PBY had a competitor.

 

[fightingirish]

Anyone have any pictures and info on the two flying boats Douglas developed in the mid-1930s. The USAAC amphibian was the YOA-5 and the USN was the XP3D-1

SDASM Archives:
http://www.flickr.com/search/?ss=2&w=49487266%40N07&q=Douglas+YOA-5&m=text
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=Douglas%20XP3D-1&w=49487266%40N07
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=XP3D-2&w=all&s=int

 

[saturncanuck]

Thanks, guys, this is all great stuff.