In 1940 the U.S. Army Air Corps ordered 203 Curtiss O-52s for observation duties -- signified by the designation "O" -- and used them for military maneuvers within the continental United States. Upon America's entry into World War II, however, the U.S. Army Air Forces realized that the airplane lacked the performance necessary for combat operations overseas. As a result, the Army relegated the O-52 to stateside courier duties and short-range submarine patrols off the coasts of the United States.
The O-52 was the last "O" type airplane procured in quantity for the Army. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Army Air Forces cancelled the "O" designation and adopted "L" for the liaison type airplanes that replaced it.
TECHNICAL NOTES: Armament: One forward and one rearward firing .30-cal. machine gun Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-1340-51 of 600 hp Maximum speed: 215 mph Cruising speed: 169 mph Range: 455 miles Ceiling: 23,200 ft. Span: 40 ft. 9 1/2 in. Length: 26 ft. 4 3/4 in. Height: 9 ft. 11 1/2 in. Weight: 5,364 lbs. loaded Serial number: 40-2763
