Bellanca YO-50

The Bellanca YO-50 was a United States prototype observation aircraft, built for the United States Army in 1940.

Typical for aircraft of its type, it was a high wing braced monoplane with fixed tail wheel undercarriage and extensive cabin glazing.

Its inverted “V” engine made it resemble its German equivalent, the Fieseler Storch.

Three examples were purchased for evaluation against the Stinson YO-49 and Ryan YO-51 Dragonfly.

The Stinson won the production contract, and no further YO-50s were built.

Specifications

Crew

Two

Length

35 ft 2 in (10.72 m)

Wingspan

55 ft 6 in (16.92 m)

Gross weight

3,887 lb (1,763 kg)

Powerplant

1 × Ranger V-770-1, air-cooled inverted V12 engine,

420 hp (310 kW)

Performance

Maximum speed

126 mph (203 km/h, 109 kn)

Cruise speed

105 mph (169 km/h, 91 kn)