Howard DGA-15

Howard DGA-15 a Golden Age Classic

Howard made its name during the 1930s by producing some of the most famous racing aircraft of the Golden Age of Aviation. The DGA-11 was one of several commercial version of the 1935 Bendix and Thompson Cup winning DGA-6 known as "Mister Mulligan." Howard Aircraft Corporation, formed to capitalize on the success of the Mister Mulligan's design. The 11 and 12 models were versions of the DGA-9, the 1937 descendant of the DGA-8. The DGA-8 was a four-seater built in 1936 immediately after the publicity generating wins of the Mister Mulligan. The DGA-9 followed, using a 285-hp Jacobs L-5 instead of the Model 8's 320-hp Wright R-760-E2. The success of the 8 and 9 led to the creation of Howard, who turned to producing the models 11 and 12. Custom-built, the DGA line(DGA stood for "Damned Good Airplane") was designed by Benny Howard and Gordon Isreal. The DGA-11 was the king of the line, reportedly the fastest four-seat personal aircraft available in the late 1930s. Powered by a 450-horsepower Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior, the nine-cylinder radial gave the DGA-11 a maximum speed of 200 mph.
The DGA-11 cost$16,500 in 1938 which made it one of the most expensive private aircraft of the period.The DGA-11 was a favorite of well-to-do people,with several owned by movie stars.
The total production was just 30 aircraft from 1936 to 1939, ranging from the DGA-8 to the DGA-12. The 12 model was a slower version of the 11, using a mere 300-hp Jacobs for its powerplant.
Howard introduced a DGA-15 in 1940 with around forty aircraft built. A four- or five-place monoplane, the DGA-15 used one of three powerplants: a 350-hp Wright R-760-E2, a 450-hp Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior or a 300-hp Jacobs L-6. The variants were known by the first letter of the engine manufacturer: DGA-15W, 15P and 15J, respectively. The company ceased commercial production in 1943 to build the DGA-15 for the Navy as an air ambulance known as the Nightingale (GH-2 & GH-3), a four-seat utility transport (GH-1) and an instrument trainer (NH-1). In all, 525 DGA-15 were built. The U.S. Army also procured Howards as utility aircraft: UC-70A (DGA-12), UC-70B (DGA-15J), UC-70C (DGA-8) and UC-70D (DGA-9).
The Howard DGA-15 provides exceptional speed for a large cabin plane and is a very classy aircraft,a few examples of this aircraft have been restored and are flying today and can be seen at various airshows.

To learn about Howard Aircraft and history, Please visit the Howard club site.(just click the image!)

Specifications for a DGA-15 with 300 h.p. Wright Whirlwind:
Wing span 38'.
Length 25.47'
Height 8' 5".
Weight empty 2500 lbs.
Useful load 1650 lbs,
Baggage 120 lbs,
Fuel capacity 24 gals.
Performance-Powered with a 350 h.p. Wright Whirlwind:
The DGA-15 has a cruising speed of 201 m.p.h.,
Its normal range is 1280 miles.
Rate of climb 2200 ft./min. Service ceiling 19,000 ft.
Manufactured by Howard Aircraft Corporation, Chicago, IL.

MILITARY VERSIONS

HOWARD
DGA-15P (Army UC-70; Navy GH-1, GH-2, GH-3, NH-1)(Nightingale)

Model DGA-15P (Army UC-70; Navy GH-1, GH-2, GH-3, NH-1), 5 PCLM, Approved Feb. 20, 1940
Engine
P & W Wasp Jr. SB with one 4 1/2N and one 9N damper.
See Item 113 for optional engines.
Fuel
80 min. grade aviation gasoline. 87 min. grade for takeoff at 450 hp.
Engine limits
Maximum continuous,
(See level) 34.5 in. Hg., 2200 rpm (400 hp)
(Straight line manifold pressure variation with altitude to 5000 ft.) 33.5 in. Hg., 2200 rpm (400 hp)
Takeoff (one minute),
(80 grade fuel) 34.5 in. Hg., 2200 rpm (400 hp)
(87 grade fuel) 36.5 in. Hg., 2300 rpm (450 hp)

Airspeed limits
Level flight or climb                200 mph (174 knots) True Ind.
Glide or dive                           270 mph (235 knots) True Ind.
Flaps extended                        100 mph ( 94 knots) True Ind.

C.G. range
(+10.5) to (+21.8)
Empty weight C.G. range
Not available
Maximum weight
Serials 500 to 574: 4350 lbs. (These serials eligible at 4500 lbs. when oil cooler, Item 105c, air scoop installation, Howard Dwg. E-215,
and revised stabilizer screw, Howard Dwg. C-138, are installed.
Serials 701 and up: 4500 lbs. (See Item 222 for increased wgts.)
No. seats
5 (two at +14 and three at +56). See Item 401 for six-seat arrangement, and Item 402 for eight seat arrangement.
Maximum baggage
125 lbs. (+84). Compartment aft of rear seats.
Fuel capacity
88 gals. (+29). One tank in fuselage. See Item 206 for optional tanks.
Oil capacity
8 gals. (-30)

Model DGA-15J (Army UC-70B) 5 PCLM, Approved Feb. 20, 1940
Engine
Jacobs L-6MB
Fuel
80 min. grade aviation gasoline.
Engine limits
Maximum continuous,
(See level) 24.5 in. Hg., 2100 rpm (300 hp)
(Straight line manifold pressure variation with altitude to 3700 ft.) 23.5 in. Hg., 2100 rpm (300 hp)
Takeoff (one minute), 26.0 in Hg., 2200 rpm (330)

Airspeed limits
Level flight or climb        190 mph (165 knots) True Ind.
Glide or dive                    261 mph (227 knots) True Ind.
Flaps extended                 108 mph ( 94 knots) True Ind.

C.G. range
(+10.5) to (+21.8)
Empty weight C.G. range
Not available
Maximum weight
4350 lbs.
No. seats
5 (two at +14 and three at +56).
Maximum baggage
125 lbs. (+84). Compartment aft of rear seats.
Fuel capacity
88 gals. (+29). One tank in fuselage. See Item 206 for optional tanks.
Oil capacity
8 gals. (-30)

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Written & Edited by Darrell Graves

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