Howard DGA-15

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_DGA-15

The Howard DGA-15 was a single-engine civil aircraft produced in the United
States by the Howard Aircraft Corporation from 1939 to 1944. After the United
States' entry into World War II, it was built in large numbers for the United
States Navy and also served various roles in the United States Army Air Forces.

The Howard Aircraft Company (later Howard Aircraft Corporation) was formed in
1936 to build commercial derivatives of the Howard DGA-6 (named Mister
Mulligan), a successful four-seat racing aircraft which had won both the Bendix
and the Thompson Trophies in 1935, the only aircraft ever to win both races.
These successes did indeed bring the DGA series much attention, and Howard
produced a series of closely related models differing mainly in the engine type,
consisting of the DGA-7, -8, -9, -11 and -12. Offering high performance and
being comprehensively equipped, despite a high purchase price (with the DGA-11
selling for $17,865), these became coveted aircraft owned by corporations,
wealthy individuals, and movie stars, such as Wallace Beery, who was himself a
pilot. (In the movie Bugsy, Warren Beatty, playing the title role, is flown from
Los Angeles to Las Vegas in a red Howard DGA-15.)

In 1939, the Howard Aircraft Corporation produced a new development of the basic
design, the DGA-15. Like its predecessors, the DGA-15 was a single-engined
high-winged monoplane with a wooden wing and a steel-tube-truss fuselage, but it
was distinguished by a deeper and wider fuselage, allowing five people to be
seated in comfort. It was available in several versions, differing in the engine
fitted. The DGA-15P was powered by a Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior radial engine,
while the DGA-15J used a Jacobs L6MB and the DGA-15W a Wright R-760-E2
Whirlwind. In an era when airlines were flying Douglas DC-3s, the Howards
cruising at 160 to 170 mph could match their speed, range and comfort with the
rear seat leg room exceeding airline standards with limousine-like
capaciousness, and high wing loading allowing the Howards to ride through most
turbulence comfortably.

Role
Civil transport

Manufacturer
Howard Aircraft Corporation

Designer
Benny Howard

Introduction
1939

Primary user
US Navy

Produced
1939-1944

Number built
520

Developed from
Howard DGA-12


Prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, about 80 DGA-8 through -15
aircraft had been built at the Howard Aircraft Corporation factory on the south
side of Chicago Municipal Airport. With America's entry into World War II, most
of the civilian Howards were commandeered by the military. The Army used them as
officer transports and as air ambulances, with the designation UC-70. The Navy,
in particular, much liked the aircraft and contracted Howard Aircraft
Corporation to build hundreds of DGA-15Ps to its own specifications. They were
used variously under several designations as an officers' utility transport
(GH-1, GH-3), aerial ambulance (GH-2), and for instrument training (NH-1). A
second factory was opened at Dupage County airport, west of Chicago, and about
520 DGA-15s were eventually completed.

In their vintage years, Howards DGA series are prized more for their utility
than for their clean lines. Contemporary cabin aircraft have already become
antiques, living pampered lives as show pieces rather than working aircraft. In
the 1960s a modification was offered by the Jobmaster company of Renton,
Washington, including additional seating, windows, and float installation making
Howard DGA-15s attractive to bush operators, and the large cabin proved popular
with sky-divers as low-capital-outlay, low-operating-cost jumping platforms.

With most of the working Howard DGAs retired from active commercial service,
they have become popular as restoration subjects and as alternatives to more
modern equivalents with higher cost of ownership. Almost 100 of the Howard
variants are still flying, mostly DGA-15s. A few of the DGA-11s also still fly,
including one out of Santa Paula, California, which is probably the world
headquarters for Howards, with at least five flying out of that field.


Specifications

UC70

General characteristics
Crew: one, pilot
Capacity: 3-4 passengers (NH-1 trainer has additional blind flight student
station behind pilot)
Length: 25 ft 8 in (7.82 m)
Wingspan: 38 ft 0 in (11.58 m)
Height: 8 ft 5 in (2.57 m)
Wing area: 210 ft² (19.5 m²

(Note: the wing span and chord are the same as the earlier DGA-11, but the
DGA-15 area is calculated including the area displaced by the fuselage cabin))
Airfoil: NACA 2R212 (reflexed)
Empty weight: 2,700 lb (1,225 kg)
Loaded weight: 4,350 lb (USN aircraft: 4,500 lb) (1,973 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 4,350 lb (1,973 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-985 radial engine, 450 hp (336 kW)

Performance
Never exceed speed: 235 knots (270 mph, 437 km/h)
Maximum speed: 175 knots (201 mph, 323 km/h)
Range: 1,095 nm (1,260 mi, 2,028 km)
Service ceiling: 21,000 ft (6,555 m)
Rate of climb: 1,800 ft/min (550 m/min)
Wing loading: 21.3 lb/ft² (104.7 kg/m²)
Power/mass: 0.100 hp/lb (0.165 kW/kg)

DGA-15P

Data from Howard Aircraft Foundation

General characteristics
Crew: one, pilot
Capacity: 4 passengers
Length: 25 ft 0 in ()
Wingspan: 38 ft 0 in (11.58 m)
Height: 8 ft 5 in (2.57 m)
Wing area: 210 ft² (19.5 m²

(Note: the wing span and chord are the same as the earlier DGA-11, but the
DGA-15 area is calculated including the area displaced by the fuselage cabin))
Airfoil: NACA 2R212 (reflexed)
Empty weight: 2,705 lb (1,227 kg)
Useful load: 1645 lb (746 kg)
Loaded weight: 4,350 lb (1,973 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 4,350 lb (1,973 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-985SB Wasp Jr. radial engine, 450 hp (336 kW)

Performance
Never exceed speed: 235 knots (270 mph, 437 km/h)
Maximum speed: 175 knots (201 mph, 323 km/h)
Range: 800 nm (920 statue mi, 1,480 km)
Service ceiling: 21,500 ft (6,553 m)
Rate of climb: 1,560 ft/min (475 m/min)
Wing loading: 0 lb/ft² (0 kg/m²)
Power/mass: 0 hp/lb (0 kW/kg)




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