Loening OA-1A

Loening · United States · first flew 1926 · reconnaissance aircraft

The Douglas OA-1 was a single-engined observation amphibian biplane operated by the US Army Air Corps for coastal and river observation duties in the late 1920s. It combined the biplane configuration with amphibious capability for operations from water or unprepared land.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	10.54 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

Single-engine observation amphibian biplane with central float
High-wing biplane with wing-tip floats
Open tandem cockpits with observer in front

The high biplane configuration with a central float and stabilising floats under each lower wing, combined with open tandem cockpits and a single radial engine, are the principal identifying features.

Specifications

The Loening OA-1A has a length of 10.54 m (35 ft).
It has a wingspan of 13.72 m (45 ft).
Typical crew: 2.

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

History

Developed to meet a USAAC requirement for an observation amphibian, the OA-1 entered service in 1926. The aircraft was used by US forces in Nicaragua during the intervention of 1927-33, where it proved its value for reconnaissance over jungle terrain. The OA-1A was a refined variant with detail improvements.

Variants

The OA-1 series included the initial OA-1 and the improved OA-1A and OA-1B; the type was related to the Douglas World Cruiser family that had completed the first round-the-world flight in 1924.

Where you'll see it

OA-1s served with the USAAC in the continental United States and in Nicaragua, providing valuable reconnaissance support during the counterinsurgency operations against Sandino's forces.

Related aircraft

AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.