Convair Model 48 Charger

Convair · United States · first flew 1964 · fighter

The Convair Model 48 Charger was a twin-turboprop counter-insurgency (COIN) prototype that competed unsuccessfully in the US military's LARA programme against the North American OV-10 Bronco in the mid-1960s.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, straight
E — Engines	2 × turboprop, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	10.62 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Twin-turboprop counter-insurgency prototype
High-wing tandem two-seater with T-tail
Lost to OV-10 Bronco in COIN competition

A high-wing twin-turboprop with tandem seating, a pronounced upturned tail with twin vertical surfaces, stub wings for weapon carriage, and a slender fuselage. The high wing and twin-turboprop layout superficially resemble the OV-10 but with a more compact proportions.

Specifications

The Convair Model 48 Charger has a length of 10.62 m (35 ft).
It has a wingspan of 9.17 m (30 ft).
Its maximum speed is 513 km/h (319 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Convair developed the Charger for the LARA (Light Armed Reconnaissance Aircraft) competition of the early 1960s, intended to provide a light attack and reconnaissance platform suited to counterinsurgency warfare in Vietnam and similar conflicts. The Charger was fast and manoeuvrable but was beaten by the OV-10, which was deemed better suited to the joint-services requirement. The prototype was destroyed in a crash in 1964.

Variants

Only one prototype was constructed; the type did not progress to production.

Where you'll see it

Never entered service; the sole prototype was lost in a fatal crash during its brief evaluation period.

Related aircraft

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