World War 2 In View: US Army Air Corps

Saturday, January 11, 2025

Ryan YO-51 Dragonfly

Ryan YO-51 Dragonfly US Army Air Corps.
The Ryan YO-51 Dragonfly was an observation aircraft designed and built by Ryan Aeronautical for the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC). A single-engined parasol wing monoplane, it was designed for optimum STOL capability, but although three prototypes proved highly successful in testing, the Stinson YO-49 was judged superior and no production contract was placed.

Ryan YO-51 Dragonfly US Army Air Corps.

This YO-51 incorporates fixed slots along the wing's leading edge.

Ryan YO-51 Dragonfly US Army Air Corps.

Ryan YO-51 Dragonfly observation aircraft on the ground during evaluation by the United States Army Air Corps.

The first of three Ryan YO-51 Dragonfly prototypes (40-703) demonstrates its leading-edge slats and massive, full-span Fowler flaps during a spirited takeoff. 3 March 1941.

Ryan YO-51 Dragonfly.

Ryan YO-51 Dragonfly prototype aircraft taking off, 3 March 1941.

Ryan YO-51 Dragonfly.

Curtiss YP-37

Curtiss XP-37.
The Curtiss P-37 was an American fighter aircraft made by Curtiss-Wright in 1937 for the US Army Air Corps. A development of the Curtiss P-36 Hawk to use an inline engine instead of the radial engine of the P-36 the fuselage was lengthened and the cockpit moved back. A small number of YP-37 aircraft was built for Air Corps evaluation. The expected top speed was not achieved and the project terminated in favor of the Curtiss P-40.