Wrecked in a landing accident at Brooks Field, TX in April 1942. Stored by various museums and eventually restored by 2011 at Pima in its 22nd Observation Squadron marks

The Curtiss O-52 Owl was the last of the US Army's O series observation aircraft, ordered into production only in 1940. It was found to be unsuitable for combat, and this aircraft was used as a subject in a military photography course at Yale University. Photo by: Andreas Feininger / Life

ex USAAF 40-2769

Developed in 1939 and the last "heavy" observation aircraft for the Air Force. Only 203 Owls were built. This aircraft entered service with the USAF around 1940, crashed and wrecked in a landing accident at Brooks Field, Texas. To the Commemorative Air Force Airpower Museum at Teaxed between 1974 and 1984. Stored unrestored at Chino, moved to the Yanks Air Museum at Chino by 2002. Seen dismantled on a trailer at Chino in February 2004, likely on the way to Pima (on loan). By 2008, a restoration project was started, which lasted until September 2011.

Rare 2 place observation type used by the US Army Air Corps. R-1340 engine. Displayed at Yanks Air Museum

Preserved in US Army Air Corps markings. Civilianised post-war as N61241.

In 1940 the Army Air Corps ordered 203 O-52s for observation duties but after the US entry into WWII it was apparent that the Owl lacked the performance necessary for combat operations overseas. As a result, the USAAF relegated the type to internal courier duties and short-range submarine patrols off the US coasts. This example is now on display at the National Museum of the USAF was obtained from the US Federal Reformatory at Chillicothe, OH in 1962 and restored by the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics.