Howard GH-2 Nightingale
Howard Aircraft Corporation · USA · first flew 1942 · transport aircraft
The GH-2 Nightingale was the principal US Navy ambulance variant of the Howard DGA-15, fitted with stretcher accommodation and medical equipment for casualty evacuation. The Nightingale name reflected its dedicated air-ambulance role.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Red Cross markings on fuselage sides |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single-engine high-wing ambulance aircraft
- Red Cross markings on fuselage sides
- Wide rectangular cabin for stretcher access
Identical in external configuration to the GH-1 but typically carried Red Cross markings; the high-wing, rotund-fuselage Howard DGA silhouette is unmistakable among wartime US Navy types.
Specifications
- The Howard GH-2 Nightingale has a length of 8.5 m (28 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.6 m (38 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 338 km/h (210 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
As the Pacific war expanded the need for air ambulance capability, the Navy converted and procured Howard DGA-15s specifically for medical transport. The GH-2 introduced purpose-built stretcher fittings and first-aid equipment compared to the more general-purpose GH-1.
Variants
The GH-2 was the primary Nightingale production mark; the GH-3 followed with further refinements. Together they formed the core of the Navy's light air-ambulance fleet in World War II.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the US Navy across the Pacific and Atlantic theatres in the medical evacuation role, flying casualties from forward island bases to hospital ships and shore facilities.
Related aircraft
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