| NO | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Martin M2O-1 leading aMartin MS-1 in July 1923 | |
| Role | Naval observationfloatplane Type of aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Naval Aircraft Factory,Martin |
| Designer | Bureau of Aeronautics |
| First flight | 1923 |
| Retired | 1927 |
| Primary user | United States Navy |
| Number built | 6 |
Naval Aircraft Factory NO was an American short-rangereconnaissance/gun spotting aircraft of the 1920s. A single-engined three-seatbiplane with alternativefloats or wheels, six were built for theU.S. Navy.
TheNO was designed at the U.S. NavyBureau of Aeronautics (BuAer) as a single-engined single-baysesquiplane capable of being fitted with either a conventional tailwheelundercarriage ortwo floats. It was fitted with a 435 hp (324 kW)Curtiss D-12 water-cooled V-12 engine, with a radiator installed between the floats or wheels, depending on such configuration.[1]
The design featured the use of W-type (akaWarren truss) and N-type wingbracing struts, that offered both compression and tension resistance to static and dynamic loads, instead of the traditional tension wires employed on many biplanes of the period. This structural principle had been incorporated successfully in the design of theNaval Aircraft Factory TS fighter, as designed byRex Beisel when employed at BuAer, and later also used on theMartin MS submarine-based biplane that required rapid assembly and rigging.[1]
The three crew occupied separate open cockpit stations, and the rearmost cockpit was equipped with a swivel-mounted machine gun for defense.[1] Small differences observed between the Martin and NAF versions included exhaust stacks, fin and rudder shapes, and presence or omission of a propeller spinner.[2]
In 1923, pre-production construction contracts were issued to both theNaval Aircraft Factory (NAF) andGlenn L. Martin Company (as Martin Model 60), each for three aircraft, designated Naval Aircraft FactoryNO and MartinM2O respectively. Deliveries of the Martin M2O-1 started in 1923, and all six aircraft were completed by the end of 1924. The NAF-built aircraft were assigned serial numbers A-6431 to A-6433 (initially designated as NO-1), and A-6452 to A-6454 were assigned to the Martin M2O-1 aircraft. Subsequently, the third NO-1 (serial number A-6433) was converted with a 440 hpPackard 1A-1500 and redesignated as NO-2. Photos have shown that at least two Martin M2O-1 (A-6452 and A-6454), were configured with wheeled undercarriage during their service.[1][3][4]
The type proved to be no better than theVought UO in the gun spotting role,[5] and was never placed into quantity production. All six were withdrawn from use by the end of 1927.[1]
Data from United States Navy Aircraft since 1911[2]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
