| DGA-8, DGA-9, DGA-11, and DGA-12 | |
|---|---|
 Airworthy Howard DGA-11 exhibited in 1990 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Utility aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Howard |
| Designer | |
| Status | Still in service |
| Primary user | Private pilot owners |
| Number built | 31 |
| History | |
| First flight | 1936 |
| Variant | Howard DGA-15 |
TheHoward DGA-8,DGA-9,DGA-11, andDGA-12 were a family of four-place, single-engine, high-wing light monoplanes built by theHoward Aircraft Corporation,Chicago, Illinois from 1936.
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 (340 kW)Pratt & Whitney Wasp Juniorradial 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 (320 km/h). A favorite of the high society and Hollywood circles, the DGA-11 cost about $16,500 in 1938. These aircraft were a direct developments of the famous Howard racing planeMister Mulligan. Designer/pilotBen Howard's "DGA" prefix stood for "Damned Good Airplane".
TheDGA-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 laterDGA-15) emerged as coveted aircraft, owned by corporations, wealthy individuals, and movie stars, such asWallace Beery, who was himself a pilot. Spanish conductor and pianistJose Iturbi owned and flew a DGA-11 "El Turia" (NC22402).[1] In an era when airlines were flyingDC-3s, the Howards at 160 to 170 mph (270 km/h) could match their speed and range. The rear seat exceeded airline leg room with limousine-like spaciousness. 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 450 hp (340 kW)Pratt & WhitneyR-985.
With America's entry intoWorld 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 aircraft still fly, and another example of a DGA-11, restored byJim Younkin, can be seen in theArkansas Air & Military Museum.
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