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 From December '96 Bronco Flyer 

A Plane With a Purpose
Designed With a Purpose
Once Upon a Time
Baby Bronco Plans Available

A Plane With a Purpose

A quick look at the OV-10 reveals it to be an unconventional airplane Its wide-spread twin booms and forward thrusting crew and cargo pod suspended from a broad rectangular wing, high-mounted, squared-off horizontal stabilizer, negative dihedral stub sponsons and wide-stance, trailing arm landing gear are distinctive features that indicate a functional design approach to fulfilling a variety of mission requirements.

TANDEM CREW STATIONS
Tandem crew stations positioned well ahead of the wing and engines provide unobstructed panoramic visibility on both sides of the airplane. The extra large canopy has minimum support structure and arches overhead and to the rear of the observer, allowing uninterrupted ground scanning. Over-the-side vision is 86 degrees from the pilot's cockpit and 75 degrees from the observer's cockpit, with approximately 90 percent overlap between both crewmen. With slight head movement, the pilot has 45 degrees visibility over the nose. A 30 degree bank permits total visibility beneath the airplane. This unexcelled visibility allows close-in search down to treetop level and effective operations under low ceilings

LANDING GEAR
The OV-10 has a demonstrated capability for absorbing the high impact loads associated with operations from very rough and soft fields at high sink rates (18.8 feet per second). The wide-stance landing gear's trailing arm design with large low-pressure tires minimizes footprint pressures (CBR-4) to assure a capability for extended operation from unimproved runways in forward areas. The landing gear has been demonstrated at speeds up to 95 knots on a specially constructed field so rough that automobiles cannot exceed 13 mph without loss of control.

SPONSONS
The sponsons provide four 600-pound capacity store stations as well as the internal mounting of guns close to the airplane's centerline and center of gravity. Alongside the 1200-pound capacity centerline store station, this cluster arrangement permits a diverse and asymmetrical loading with minimal effect on airplane aiming and handling characteristics. In addition. ordnance loading is facilitated by the sponsons' ideal height above ground level. Although weight and drag of the sponsons is not significant to airplane performance, they may be easily removed if desired.

TWIN BOOMS
The twin boom design creates a dedicated crew/cargo pod uncluttered with engine accommodations. It provides widely separated engine and control housings which enable isolation of battle damage. In addition, the twin booms permit the mounting and enclosure of wide-span, large-wheel landing gear.

CARGO BAY
The space and strength provisions of the dedicated cargo bay plus available power and plumbing make possible the accommodation of a number of special equipment installations. The cargo area is 75 cubic feet with the rear cockpit seat in, or 110 cubic feet with the seat out. The high booms, horizontal stabilizer and rear cargo bay door (which opens 180 degrees and can be removed) permit waist-level loading and unobstructed bail-outs or supply drops.

Designed With a Purpose

STOL PERFORMANCE
The propeller slipstream over the broad wing from two turboprop engines coupled with double slotted trailing-edge flaps comprise the high-lift system which makes the OV-10 a STOL airplane. The airplane is operational from strips no longer than 1200 feet depending on altitudes and temperatures. This STOL capability combined with rough field gear and low support requirements ensures that the OV-

MAINTENANCE
The design of the OV-10 was based on the criteria of system simplicity and ease of maintenance. Operational, proven system components are used throughout. Only standard hand tools are required for forward area maintenance and no spe- cial ground support equipment is necessary. The T-76 engines can operate on a variety of fuels. In addition to JP fuels and aviation gasoline, the engine will also operate on automotive gasoline usually available in forward areas.

MANEUVERABILITY
A wide speed range, moderate wing loading (35 to 40 pounds) and high struc- tural strength (sustained normal loads between +6.5 and -1.0 "g's") plus quick and positive control response permit extremely tight turns and maneuvers for a variety of tactics and evasive actions. Low, slow, close-in search is possible even in rugged terrain. At the other extreme, high speed dives (350 knots) and associ- ated rapid zoom recoveries are available. In addition, the sturdy, broad wing provides adequate space for the entire internal fuel supply.

Once Upon a Time…

Well before the OV-10A was fully operational, North American Aircraft designers at the Columbus. Ohio division were hard at work looking at derivatives of the original design.

This transport concept from a 1966 brochure bears a stnking resemblance to the Special Operations Transport built about 25 years later by the Rutan operation in Mojave California.

The proposed OV-10 transport version was designed to be capable of carrying 14 troops or 6,000 pounds of cargo. Usable deck area was 73 square feet. For medical evacuation, six litter patients and six walking wounded could be carried. Alternate use as a VIP mission support provided seating for eight passengers. Straight-in loading was accomplished through a large, 60-inch wide door ramp at the rear of the fuselage. There was a high degree of systems, logistics and training commonality between the basic OV-10 and the transport airplane.

TRANSPORT VERSION

Passenger or Cargo Space:

4 feet 8 inches width
5 feet 11 inches height
14 feet 2 inches length
73 square feet deck area

Baby Bronco Plans Available

On November 14 1996 PALMER PLANS announced final drawing release for the Radio Control Ov-IOA "Bronco" with a 96" wing span. Because of the drawings and original engineering data that are in Maney Aircraft's possession and which were provided to Palmer Plans, the model is an authenitic reproduction of the full-size aircraft.

The plans consist of four 36' x 72' sheets plus a detailed step by step instruction manual. They are now available by mail order, shipped rolled up via UPS, at a price of $74.00 which includes shipping and handling. Visa or Mastercard are accepted.

PALMER PLANS has gained reputation among RC model enthusiasts for authen- tic designs of significant historic aircraft. They conduct extensive research into original manufacturer's production draw- ings and take careful measurements of available examples of the "breed".

To order your plans, contact:
PALMER PLANS, DEPT. MA
6047 Pomegranate Lane
Woodland Hills CA 91376
Phone: 818-348-0879
Fax: 818-348-9204