The Howard DGA-8, DGA-9, DGA-11, and DGA-12 were a family of four-place, single-engine, high-wing light monoplanes built by the Howard Aircraft Corporation, Chicago, Illinois. The various models were distinguished by different engine choices and detail changes, and were built and sold in parallel to each other. A number of examples were built as one type and converted to another during their lifetimes. The DGA-11, powered by a nine-cylinder 450-horsepower Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior radial engine, was purportedly the fastest four-seat civil aircraft of the late 1930s, able to achieve a top speed of about 200 miles per hour. A favorite of the high society and Hollywood circles, the DGA-11 cost about $16,500 in 1938 — a princely sum for the time. These aircraft were a direct developments of the famous Howard racing plane Mister Mulligan. Designer/pilot Ben Howard's "DGA" prefix stood for "Damn Good Airplane"; it was not hyperbole.
The DGA-6's racing success brought the DGA series much attention, and in its various permutations, differentiated mainly by different powerplants, the DGAs -8, -9, -11, -12 (and later DGA-15) emerged as coveted aircraft, owned by corporations, wealthy individuals, and movie stars, such as Wallace Beery, who was himself a pilot. In an era when airlines were flying DC-3s, the Howards at 160 to 170mph could match their speed and range. The rear seat exceeded airline leg room with limousine-like capaciousness. And with its high wing loading, the Howards rode through most turbulence with airline-like solidity. The -11 was probably the ultimate of the series. Configured as a four-place aircraft, with the 450hp Pratt & Whitney R-985, it is graceful and powerful with perfectly classical lines.
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 ambulance planes. They were used variously as an officer's utility transport and for instrument training. The Howard was and is an excellent instrument platform, very stable and solid, especially compared to modern light aircraft.
A number of these aircaft still fly, and another especially beautiful example of a DGA-11, restored by the renowned restorer and inventor, Jim Younkins, can be seen in the Arkansas Air Museum.
Variants
- DGA-8 - version with Wright R-760 engine (4 built, 1 impressed by USAAF as UC-70C)
- DGA-9 - version with Jacobs L-5 engine (7 built, 2 impressed by USAAF as UC-70D)
- DGA-11 - version with Pratt & Whitney Wasp engine (4 built)
- DGA-12 - version with Jacobs L-6 engine (2 built, both impressed by USAAF as UC-70A)
Specifications (DGA-11)
{{aircraft specifications |plane or copter?= plane |jet or prop?= prop |ref={name of first source} |crew= one, pilot |capacity=3 passengers |length main= 25 ft 5 in |length alt= 7.75 m |span main= 38 ft 0 in |span alt= 11.59 m |height main= 8 ft 5 in |height alt= 2.57 m |area main= 185 ft² |area alt= 17.2 m² |airfoil= |empty weight main= 2,450 lb |empty weight alt= 1,111 kg |loaded weight main= 4,100 lb |loaded weight alt= 1,860 kg |useful load main= |useful load alt= |max takeoff weight main= 4,100 lb |max takeoff weight alt= 1,860 kg |more general=|engine (prop)=Pratt & Whitney R-985
|type of prop=radial engine
|number of props=1
|power main= 400-450 hp
|power alt= 299-336 kW
|power original=
|max speed main= 170 knots
|max speed alt= 196 mph, 315 km/h
|cruise speed main=
|cruise speed alt=
|never exceed speed main=
|never exceed speed alt=
|stall speed main=
|stall speed alt=
|range main= 869 nm
|range alt= 1,000 miles, 1,609 km
|ceiling main= 26,000 ft
|ceiling alt= 7,926 m
|climb rate main=
|climb rate alt=
|loading main= 22.2 lb/ft²
|loading alt= 108 kg/m²
|thrust/weight=
|power/mass main= 0.11 hp/lb
|power/mass alt=
|more performance=
|armament=
|avionics=
}}
See also
Notes and references
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.
- World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing.
- Howard Aircraft Foundation website
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
Last updated on Saturday May 03, 2008 at 13:56:13 PDT (GMT -0700)
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