During August of 1941 the Army finally decided to test the feasibility of light aircraft in combat. As late as the third week of August the Army was still in negotiation with Taylorcraft, Aeronca and Piper for the purchase of four aircraft from each of them.
This first communication details the Aeronca TC65 aircraft that are to be taken directly from the production line and the equipment it will have. This letter also mentions the delivery status of the Lear Radios and the tuning capability with five crystals included. Incidentally Lear was chosen over RCA for many of the initial contracts and the O-57, O-58 and O-59s were all equipped with them.
The top of the 2nd letter is about the Taylorcraft DCO65 while the bottom of this letter is a recap from Aeronca with delivery times and price of multiple quantities of aircraft. The 4 Aeroncas that were purchased were painted olive drab, designated YO-58 and had dual controls. Strangely when the Army ordered the additional 20 O-58A aircraft in November they requested that the rear throttle and brakes in the observer position be eliminated.
Some how it all worked out and the light aircraft managed to end up in Louisiana in September of 1941 and made history.
This first communication details the Aeronca TC65 aircraft that are to be taken directly from the production line and the equipment it will have. This letter also mentions the delivery status of the Lear Radios and the tuning capability with five crystals included. Incidentally Lear was chosen over RCA for many of the initial contracts and the O-57, O-58 and O-59s were all equipped with them.
The top of the 2nd letter is about the Taylorcraft DCO65 while the bottom of this letter is a recap from Aeronca with delivery times and price of multiple quantities of aircraft. The 4 Aeroncas that were purchased were painted olive drab, designated YO-58 and had dual controls. Strangely when the Army ordered the additional 20 O-58A aircraft in November they requested that the rear throttle and brakes in the observer position be eliminated.
Some how it all worked out and the light aircraft managed to end up in Louisiana in September of 1941 and made history.
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