Consolidated O 17 Courier

Development

A parallel development to the PT-3 series, the XO-17 was a converted PT-3 with such refinements as improved fuselage streamlining, oleo shock absorbers, wheel brakes, balanced elevators and increased fuel capacity.

It was used almost exclusively as a cross-country flying, gunnery, photographic and radio trainer. The O-17 had a removable fairing (carrying a Scarff ring mounting for one .30 cal (7.62 mm) trainable Browning machine gun.

The Royal Canadian Air Force purchased three generally similar aircraft, two Model 7 landplanes and one Model 8 floatplane, the latter with the same float gear as the NY series.

The sole XO-17A was converted from the PT-3 as a demonstrator that failed to secure any orders. It was later fitted with the experimental Packard DR-980 Diesel engine of 225 hp (168 kW).

The Model 15 was also an O-17 type airframe fitted with a Pratt & Whitney R-1340 engine. It too failed to win any contracts.

Variants

XO-17 (prototype)

Consolidated PT-3 Conversion with a 225 hp (168 kW) Wright R-790-1 engine, streamlined fuselage, modified undercarriage, increased fuel capacity, provision for dual controls and a dorsal 0.3 in (7.62 mm) gun, one conversion.

O-17 Model 2 Courier

Production version for United States National Guard use, 29 built.

XO-17A (prototype)

One Consolidated PT-3 converted with a Wright R-790-3 engine intended for export.

Model 7 (RCAF landplane)

Royal Canadian Air Force, two built.

Model 8 (RCAF floatplane)

Royal Canadian Air Force, one built.

XPT-8 (demonstrator)

The airframe of the XO-17A prototype fitted with a Packard DR-980 Diesel engine of 225 hp (168 kw), scrapped in 1932.

XPT-8A

A single PT-3A (29-115) similarly converted with a Packard DR-980 Diesel engine with Project Number 'P-564', but returned to PT-3A configuration. The airframe was subsequently lost in a fatal midair with a P-12C of the 17th Pursuit Squadron 2 miles W of New Baltimore, Michigan on 17 December 1931.

Model 15 (demonstrator)

Conversion with a Pratt & Whitney R-1340 engine.

Operators

 Canada

Royal Canadian Air Force

 United States

United States National Guard

Specifications (O-17)

Data from Eden & Moeng (2002)

General characteristics

Crew: two

Length: 27 ft 11 in (8.51 m)

Wingspan: 34 ft 5.5 in (10.5 m)

Height: 9 ft 9 in (2.97 m)

Wing area: 296 ft² (27.5 m²)

Empty weight: 1,881 lb (853 kg)

Max. takeoff weight: 2,723 lb (1235 kg)

Powerplant: 1 × Wright R-790-1 radial, 225 hp (168 kW)

Performance

Maximum speed: 118 mph (190 km/h)

Cruise speed: 100 mph (161 km/h)

Range: 550 miles (885 km)

Service ceiling: 12,000' (3660 m)

Rate of climb: 865 ft/min (264 m/min)

Armament

1 × .30 cal (7.62 mm) M1919 Browning machine gun